Principles of Practice
For Brennan Healing Science Practitioners
Adopted by the Faculty of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing —March 3, 2003
Preamble
These Principles of Practice are intended to aid the healing work of the Brennan Healing Science Practitioner (“BHS Practitioner”), and to assist the public in selecting a healer with whom to create a rewarding healing relationship.
As a graduate of either the four-year Bachelor of Science Degree or Professional Studies Diploma Programs of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing (“BBSH”), the BHS Practitioner has completed an intensive study and practice of personal transformation, energy awareness and High Sense Perception, hands-on healing techniques, professional practice, creative arts, integrative care, and awareness of the connections between mind, body and emotions.
The BHS Practitioner’s primary objective is to support each client in his or her unique healing journey with competence, integrity, and compassion. The BHS Practitioner’s commitment is to create a safe, empathic, and life-affirming container to best facilitate the client’s healing and transformational process. In the broader context of community and world service, the BHS Practitioner applies his or her knowledge and training in support of the evolution of the human spirit.
In any given client session, the BHS Practitioner may employ varied techniques and incorporate elements of multiple modalities depending on the unique circumstances and needs of each client, and on the qualifications and skills of the BHS Practitioner. No set of rules can fully anticipate or regulate the variety of situations that the BHS Practitioner may face. The following Principles of Practice instead address important aspects of the BHS Practitioner’s intentionality and consciousness that the BHS Practitioner honestly monitors and clarifies during the course of the client relationship, both generally and in the moment.
Intention, Integrity, and Professional Responsibility
1. The BHS Practitioner commits to use his or her training, skills, and intention in service of the health, welfare, and spiritual healing of the client.
2. The BHS Practitioner provides those services commensurate with his or her training and competence, and refers the client to other healers and care providers in other
disciplines as appropriate and necessary.
3. The BHS Practitioner keeps current and competent in his or her field(s) of practice, through supervision, consultations, and continuing education.
4. The BHS Practitioner does not offer, promise, or provide medical diagnoses or prescriptions (unless otherwise licensed to do so), and does not promise medical cures or recoveries.
Client Communication and Professional Boundaries
5. The BHS Practitioner clearly, accurately, and truthfully communicates to the client, prior to commencement of services, the general nature of the services that may be provided, fees and billing practices, and other policies and procedures of the BHS Practitioner. The BHS Practitioner also obtains the client’s consent to these services, or as appropriate the consent of the client’s legal guardian, prior to service.
6. The BHS Practitioner maintains professional boundaries with the client. The BHS Practitioner is sensitive to real and ascribed differences in awareness and power between the BHS Practitioner and the client, and does not exploit such differences or perceptions during or after the professional relationship for the personal gratification or benefit of the BHS Practitioner. The BHS Practitioner supports the client in avoiding or resolving dependency on the BHS Practitioner.
7. The BHS Practitioner does not suggest, initiate, or engage in any romantic or sexual activity with the client. The BHS Practitioner does not engage in sexual or other harassment of the client, whether by sexual solicitation, physical or energetic advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is unwelcome, is offensive, or creates a hostile or unsafe healing environment. The BHS Practitioner does not engage in sexual relations with a former client for at least two years after termination of the client relationship, and only then after a good faith determination through appropriate supervision that there is no exploitation of, or harm to,
the former client.
8. The BHS Practitioner avoids or promptly removes himself or herself from improper and potentially harmful conflicts of interest and dual or multiple relationships with clients and former clients.
Honoring the Client and Community
9. The BHS Practitioner respects the fundamental dignity, worth, and personal journey of all clients, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status. The BHS Practitioner strives to be aware of and sensitive to cultural, individual, and role differences.
10. The BHS Practitioner respects the right of each client to hold values, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions that differ from the BHS Practitioner’s. The BHS Practitioner does not attempt to pressure or coerce the client into any action or belief, even if the BHS Practitioner believes such act or belief would serve the best interests of the client. The BHS Practitioner supports each client’s self-empowerment, self-determination, and transformational processes in learning to make life choices, and understanding the consequences of those choices.
11. The BHS Practitioner is aware of his or her role in maintaining the integrity of healing and the healing profession with regard to clients, to the society in which the BHS Practitioner lives, and to the global community of the sacred human heart.
Client Confidentiality
12. The BHS Practitioner honors and does not disclose to anyone the client’s confidences or client records, if any, including the name or identity of the client or identifying information, except: (A) if and to the extent authorized by the client; (B) as required for the BHS Practitioner’s professional supervision where the client remains anonymous, and only to the extent necessary to achieve the purposes of the supervision; (C) when disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to the client or others; (D) as required by law; and (E) if the BHS Practitioner is a defendant in a civil, criminal or disciplinary action arising from the client relationship (in which case client confidences may only be disclosed in the course of that action).
13. At the client’s written request or approval, and according to the capabilities, good conscience, and professional judgment of the BHS Practitioner, the BHS Practitioner may consult with the client’s other healers, therapists, physicians, and spiritual teachers, as appropriate to maximize the benefits to the client.
BHS Practitioner Self-Responsibility, Client Welfare, and Termination of Services
14. The BHS Practitioner commits to his or her own self-care and ongoing personal healing, and also recognizes that this commitment is key to serving as an instrument of healing for the client.
15. The BHS Practitioner commits to regular individual supervision sessions with a qualified professional. The BHS Practitioner is obligated to be alert to signs of, and to obtain professional assistance for, any unresolved personal problems, countertransference, and emotional reactions, in order to prevent impairment of the client relationship.
16. The BHS Practitioner is not under the influence of alcohol or of any medication, drug, or substance during a client session that might impair the work of the BHS Practitioner or the client relationship.
17. The BHS Practitioner terminates a client relationship when it becomes reasonably clear that the client no longer needs or is not benefiting from continued service. The BHS Practitioner terminates services if and as advisable due to any physical or mental illness, or unresolved personal issues, of the BHS Practitioner. The BHS Practitioner does not maintain a client relationship solely for financial reasons, but may terminate a relationship if the client is unable or unwilling to pay for such services. Prior to any termination of service, if and to the extent applicable and practicable, the BHS Practitioner gives reasonable notice to the client of the termination and assists the client in finding alternative professional services.
