How to know if your trainer or practitioner is behaving in an ethical and responsible manner 

Within the diversity of energy psychology approaches there are common guiding principles and requirements for ethical practice - both in working with individuals and in training settings. These inform all ACEP communications, conferences, and trainings, and are part of the ACEP ethical code for practitioners.

A practitioner, operating in accordance with ACEP’s values and ethics, will: 

  • Treat you in a responsible, respectful and kind manner 

 

  • Address any sensitive and potentially shame-laden issues with tact and respect 


  • Be attentive to, and honor, your own boundaries and those of the professional context 


  • Respect your autonomy, facilitating your freedom of choice concerning your engagement in any aspect of energy psychology

 

  • Respect your own beliefs, culture, and tradition

 

  • Provide information and seek your permission before engaging in any energy-based procedure with you 


  • Encourage you to explore conventional medical opinion and interventions for any physical condition 



  • Be clear from the beginning regarding the fee, and will discuss what level of fee is realistic for your circumstances as appropriate  

A practitioner working in accord with ACEP’s values will not: 

  • Behave in a seductive or coercive manner in order to persuade you to engage in therapy, attend a workshop, purchase a product, or engage in any kind of relationship beyond the professional 

 

  • Treat you in a bullying or humiliating manner

 

  • Coerce you into making a testimonial

 

  • Injure your self-esteem (with critical and humiliating remarks or behaviors) in order to render you more vulnerable and dependent on the practitioner

 

  • Make claims for the effectiveness of their methods that cannot be substantiated

 

  • Declare that their methods are greatly superior to those of other practitioners

 

  • Charge exorbitant fees that are exploitative and not congruent with your financial situation 

 

  • Claim to treat medical or psychiatric conditions unless he or she is licensed to do so

 

  • The above examples are not exhaustive. ACEP considers the client’s welfare to be a primary concern. 

If you ever become aware of potential ‘red flag’ areas you have a number of options that include the following. 

1.

Raise your concern with the practitioner 

2.

Elect to discontinue engaging with the practitioner 

3.

If the practitioner is an ACEP member, contact the ACEP Ethics Committee and know that the matter will be considered.

4.

Consult the practitioner's professional organization (in addition to ACEP) or licensing body or other appropriate authorities.