The Value of a Facilitator - Code of Ethics for My Practice

                                      By Dale R. Howard, LMT

Establishing and Maintaining My Ethics

What is ethical is what develops moral virtues in ourselves and our communities.  The fundamental question of ethics is not "What should I do?" but " What kind of person should I be?"

Make every action based upon self-chosen values, not fears.  Never sacrifice my integrity.  Always remain ethically aligned with self.  Do not ignore my inner wisdom.

Of any two actions, the most ethical one will produce the balance of benefits over harms.  Each person has a fundamental right to be respected and treated as a free and rational person capable of making his or her own decisions.

My actions or policies are morally right only if those persons by the decision are not used merely as instruments for advancing some goal, that they remain fully informed and treated only as they have freely and knowingly consented.  Everyone is obligated to act only in ways that respect the human dignity and morals of all persons.

Commit to personal growth and on-going education for the benefit of client as well as self.

Value the opinions, viewpoints, and perspectives of others.  Refer out to others when I feel that I am working outside of my scope.

Support myself in becoming more of who I truly am, honor my process.

Confidentiality is always respected.

Stay well with-in personal and professional boundaries.

Use and honor my inherent qualities of communication, imagination, intention, perception, acceptance and intuition.

        The First/Base Chakra - Manifesting, Security and Money

The client/therapist relationship shall by no means be jeopardized to the extent of a loss of integrity for either party, in regards to any issue concerning the payment or the collection of fees, for services provided by the therapist.

Therapist will honor self and client by providing services for a reasonable and just fee schedule.

The therapist will honor self and client by appropriating  the use of scheduling time to be appropriate and efficient.

Maintain oneness with spirit, and honor what is.

        The Second/Navel Chakra - Power and Boundaries

The client/therapist relationship shall be built on a foundation of strict boundaries that maintain an ethical and moral professionalism in regards to any type of sexual inappropriateness.

All physical contact between client/therapist shall always maintain strict ethical, and moral codes, as to appropriate and inappropriate touching.

The therapist maintaining control over ones self in regards to ones physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual self.

The client/therapist maintain a sense of personal identity and protective psychological boundaries, maintaining ones self to stand on ones own and protect oneself in all ways.

That professional, moral, or ethical boundaries, are not negotiated depending upon circumstances.

        The Third/Solar Plexus Chakra - Intellect, Ego and Self Esteem

The client/therapist shall honor each other as to maintaining self-esteem, or fears of rejection, as well as maintaining ones responsibility as to the professional relationship.

Therapist will honor character and intellect at all times while maintaining spiritual understanding and self-awareness.

Therapist will not let own personal agenda or ego into the way as the client effects change.

The most important factor in the therapeutic relationship is presence.  Apart from specific techniques and practices in the therapeutic process.  The nature of presence must be emphasized.

The therapist will create and maintain an environment, which supports and encourages the clients process.

        The Fourth/Heart Chakra - Unconditional Love, Balance, Service

One truly cannot love another, until they have grown to love thy-self.

Respect client/therapist principle that the functions of the mind, body and spirit are one.  Everything that happens in life is manifested in the body.

How the body reacts to life's experiences is unique to every individual, and body movements, posture, breathing, thoughts, and emotions reflect the life story of each individual.

For many people unpleasant memories, lack of love, or self-love, shock, trauma and repressed emotions are held in the muscles of the body often creating physical and emotional symptoms which stop the person from feeling fully well.  As a result many people feel constantly tired, generally unwell, or that something is missing in their lives.

As a therapist I will work with the client to help them become more aware of their body, in a deeply receptive, non-judgmental way, to create an atmosphere in which the client feels safe enough to explore new ways of being, and can be supported to move towards health and well-being. 

        The Fifth/Throat Chakra - Right use of Will, Truth and Expression 

The client/therapist will maintain the capacity to make decisions knowing that it will be the right decision for the well-being of those involved.

Resist the actions of not speaking or acting honestly with self.  Including no agenda to manipulate self or others from their truths.

Manifesting illness in the body has a connection to this chakra because one's illness, whether real or imagined, is about the choices we make in our lives.

By honoring truth in our approach to your-self and the client you create a way that promotes their sense of safety, boundaries, and space, thereby allowing the therapeutic relationship to unfold in valuable, honest and integral ways.

Maintain self as a person who has developed virtues and be naturally disposed to act in ways that are with moral principles.  A virtuous person is the ethical person.

Maintain balance between heart and mind.

       The Sixth/Third Eye Chakra - Impersonal Mind, Intuition, Insight

Maintain ethics that will foster energy to lead us closer to our inner wisdom and higher light, while dispelling those that lead us away from our higher light.  Create a healing environment that allows beings who are waiting, or have lost their way, to return to the higher light.

Maintain openness with energies that exist at all levels of creation which teach us about some aspect of the higher light.  Create a structure with our thoughts and actions, that we empower with our own spiritual energy.

Listen to our own inner wisdom, angel, spirit guide, who brings us to want to assist others, and ourselves, on our journey into the higher light.

Maintain that client/therapist are protected and whatever happens will happen for our own growth, as well as the growth of others, with safety and security.

Every living person and creature on this wonderful and glorious planet will transcend to a higher perspective.  This process brings the ending of duality, and being the birthing of oneness, creates a place in our universe where judgment, conditioning, limitations and fear do not exist.

       The Seventh/Crown Chakra -

                                                          Union with Spiritual Energy - Presence of Divine

Maintain ethic that empowerment is the key to moving through any and all of life's given challenges and all life's moments.  Recognize what can be strengthened, improved upon, learned, appreciated, fulfilled.

Maintain the belief that everyone's life is exquisite and beautiful in what it uniquely brings to the world.  Some clients resonate with us, and some don't.  Whoever we as therapists are meant to facilitate and learn from, will come into our professional practice whether it is a brief or ongoing experience.

Though it can be very challenging to see the blessings in all things, there always are blessings in all things.  Maintaining clarity with your intentions are of the utmost importance.  The clearer you as therapist become, the clearer the universe can respond.  Maintain yourself as unattached to the way things unfold.  Hold space, be present, and honor the clients process.

As therapist you do not have to understand each and every process of the work that your Higher Self and Guides of Light are doing with you, and with each client.  All you have to do is hold the intention of doing the work, and trust that from your Higher Self, you will accomplish the work.

Copyright 2002, Dale R. Howard, LMT - All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized copying is prohibited.