Our ethical guidelines* help us frame our work, maintain safety for clients, and communicate our intentions with transparency.
Ethical Guidelines
1. We acknowledge the SOCIETAL STRUCTURES OF PRIVILEGE AND OPPRESSION, particularly as they impact and inform access to health care.
- We acknowledge that systemic oppression is deeply embedded into every aspect of our society; and that the stress, trauma, violence, injustice, and discrimination stemming from these oppressive systems adversely impacts health.
- We inform and educate ourselves about systemic barriers to health and wellness and the communities that are disproportionately affected by these barriers.
- We understand that it is important to see trauma through a systemic lens. Talking about personal trauma as solely an individual occurrence fails to recognize the root causes of systemic trauma. We acknowledge that BiPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) have experienced disproportional systemic and cultural trauma.
- We acknowledge that the world of “alternative” health care in the U.S. is problematic, and culpable of perpetuating cultural appropriation, commodification, over harvesting of sacred or endangered plants, and racism by exclusion. We seek to understand those connections and not to replicate those mistakes.
- We will not knowingly exploit, abuse, or misrepresent sacred traditions and spiritual practices of indigenous people.
2. We CREATE A WELCOMING SPACE
- People of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, religions, and sizes are welcome.
- We acknowledge all genders including trans and non-binary individuals. We do not assume anyone’s gender.
- We understand and affirm that health and wellbeing is not based on body type or size. We do our best to challenge the impact of systemic sizeism and fat phobia.
3. We hold clients in the HIGHEST PERSONAL REGARD
- We meet clients where they are at and consciously refrain from trying to “fix” or “save.” We see people as whole, amidst their individual challenges.
4. We CHECK OUR EGOS, EXPECTATIONS, and BIASES
- Our intention is to treat clients with non-judgement so that clients feel met and supported exactly where they are. We acknowledge that we all have biases and commit to consider and reflect how they may be affecting our work.
5. We UNDERSTAND POWER DYNAMICS IMPLICIT IN OFFERING CARE
- Implicit in the relationship between practitioner and client, is an increased role of power for the practitioner and increased vulnerability for the client. Because of this dynamic, we commit to co-create a container of safety, accountability, and respect.
6. We FOSTER SAFETY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPECT by:
- Working within our scope of practice. We do what we are trained to do and provide the kind of work that the client expects. We are honest about the limits of our skills, experience, and knowledge with ourselves, clients, and other practitioners.
- Practicing Trauma-Informed Care We follow the principles of SAMSHA’s Trauma-Informed Approach and emphasize consent-based, client-lead care.
- Maintaining clear boundaries socially, physically, energetically.
- Supporting Mutuality–We address a client directly when a session isn’t working for us. We ask clients to do the same for us.
- Being Mindful of Privilege and Intersectionality–We are mindful of biases and privileges of our own identities, and the power dynamics implicit in our identities; and how those intersect with the experiences/identities of our clients.
We also have guidelines for our landcare ethics.
*These guidelines have been developed over time with input from our practitioners and following the guidance of folks from communities that have experienced oppression. We are grateful for the leadership of BIPOC healers, LGBTQ+ advocates, and trauma-informed trainers. We appreciate the input from Kate Poussont for the internal leadership.
We acknowledge that although we take these guidelines very seriously, we are human beings (and an organization) in process. We will make mistakes and may cause harm. We welcome feedback and dialogue about our guidelines.