Association of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers
Code
of Professional Conduct and Ethics
Introduction
This Association's Code of Professional Conduct (hereinafter referred to as
the Code) consists of an Introduction and Preamble, and the Code itself containing
specific ethical standards. The ethical standards set forth enforceable rules
of conduct for the California state-approved profession of Certified Sexological
Bodyworker (CSB). These ethical standards are not exhaustive. The fact that
a given conduct is not specifically addressed by the Code does not mean that
it is necessarily either ethical or unethical.
Certification as a Sexological Bodyworker, membership in the Association of
Certified Sexological Bodyworkers (ACSB), and/or working in an official capacity
as a CSB trainer, teacher, assistant, or organizer commits said individuals
to adhere to the ACSB Ethics Code and the rules and procedures used to implement
it. This Ethics Code applies to all CSBs' work-related professional activities
including somatic sex education, individual or group work, teaching, training,
assisting, supervision, consulting, and organizing. These work-related activities
can be distinguished from the CSBs' private conduct, which is not within the
scope of this Code. The Ethics Code is intended to provide standards of professional
conduct that can be applied by the ACSB.
In the process of making decisions regarding their professional behavior, CSBs
must consider this Code, in addition to laws and licensing boards' regulations.
When the Code establishes a higher standard than codes of law, CSBs must meet
the higher ethical standard. If the Code's standards appear to conflict with
requirement of law, CSBs make known their commitment to the Code and take steps
to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner.
The procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints of unethical
behavior are described in the ACSB Ethical Grievance Process which is available
from the ACSB. The actions the ACSB may take for violation of the Ethics Code
include such actions as reprimand, censure, and termination of membership in
the ACSB.
Preamble
Sexological Bodywork is a unique form of somatic sex education utilizing a set
of principles and the integration of body, mind, and spirit in its application.
CSBs may perform in various roles such as teacher, trainer, coach, assistant,
organizer, consultant, and supervisor. They work with a common goal of providing
education and improving the quality of life for an individual and the world.
The Sexological Bodyworker Ethics Code provides a common set of values upon
which CSBs continually build their professional work.
This code is intended to provide both the general principles and the rules covering
most situations encountered by CSBs. It has as its primary goal the welfare
and protection of the individuals and groups with whom CSBs work. It is the
individual responsibility of each Sexological Bodyworker to aspire to the highest
possible standards of conduct. CSBs respect and protect human, civil and sexual
rights, and do not knowingly participate in or condone unfair discriminatory
practices.
The development of a dynamic set of ethical standards for CSBs work-related
conduct requires a personal commitment to a lifelong effort to act ethically;
to encourage ethical behavior by students, supervisees, employees, and colleagues,
as appropriate; and to consult with others as needed concerning ethical problems.
Each Sexological Bodyworker supplements, but does not violate, the Ethics Code's
values and rules on the basis of guidance drawn from personal values, culture,
context, and experience.
Duties
and Obligations Towards Our Students
1. CSBs will be professional in attitude and conduct, responsible in relations
with clients and students, reliable in agreements and timely in appointment
schedules.
2. CSBs will introduce prospective students to the techniques of somatic sex
education, including the use of touch so potential students can make informed
decisions about entering into educational sessions. CSBs agree to maintain appropriate
documentation of consent.
3. CSBs recognize the importance of consent and choice in all somatic sex education
with groups and individuals. CSBs will strive to provide a range of options
from which the student can actively elect that which will serve their own education.
At no time shall a student be required or coerced to participate in any activity,
event or exercise. CSBs include education about consent and choice and actively
create learning environments where students are empowered to exercise these
skills.
4. CSBs may use physical touch in an educational context. If they do so, they
touch consciously and with the attitude to do no harm. CSBs agree to obtain
students' consent and to act with concern for their safety, growth, and awareness
of boundaries.
5. Regarding Sexual Contact and/or Conduct with Students
a. We acknowledge the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries, including
asking permission to touch and stopping touch when our students request it.
b. We are conscious and make our students conscious that while we share authentic
intimacy, Sexological Bodywork sessions will neither fulfill CSBs, nor their
students desire for sexual connection..
c. In individual sessions we remain clothed when touching our students and touching
is unidirectional, practitioner to student. We request that our students bring
their partners when they wish to learn interpersonal erotic skills or invite
them to share and learn with other students when appropriate.
d. CSBs understand the inherent power we hold in our role of teacher and will
not use this power for sexual exploitation of our students.
6. CSBs acknowledge the importance of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
To protect the health of both student and professional, CSBs recognize the need
for risk-reduction and professional protocol in all individual and group somatic
sex education. CSBs take steps to minimize any physical or emotional harm, in
active collaboration with all students. Professional protocol includes the use
of medical-grade examination gloves and quality water-based lubricants. All
group classes shall include education about group hygeine protocol, with sufficient
facilities/supplies provided to students to maintain appropriate hygiene.
7. CSBs will refrain from providing bodywork, training sessions and/or presenting
any instructional material while either the Sexological Bodyworker or the client/student
is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
8. A CSB will consider the limits of their skills and experience before accepting
requests for or providing educational or instructional services to potential
students. Further, a CSB will refuse professional work for which they are insufficiently
prepared.
9. CSBs will seek the advice of colleagues or supervisors as a routine part
of their practice or training. In consultations, confidential information that
reasonably could lead to the identification of the student is not shared without
prior written consent of the student.
10. CSBs will terminate professional services to and relationships with students
when such services are no longer required or no longer serve the needs and interests
of the students.
11. CSBs may unilaterally terminate services, on just and reasonable grounds
after careful consideration of all situational factors and any possible adverse
effects. CSBs are responsible to make appropriate referrals and to provide support
to students during this transition.
12. CSBs will refrain from the exploitation of professional relationships with
our students for personal gain, whether financial, professional, or for research
purposes.
Duties
and Obligations Regarding the Preservation of Confidentiality
13. CSBs will respect, defend, and preserve the privacy of all information gained
during instructional sessions.
14. CSBs will release professional obligations for confidentiality only by written
authorization from their students, statutory requirement or court order; a general,
nonspecific, or verbal authorization is not sufficient.
15. CSBs will preserve the anonymity of students when using information for
purposes of teaching, research, and supervision.
16. CSBs will require all persons attending classes or private tutoring sessions
reach written or spoken agreement that respects and maintains the confidentiality
of information shared during such sessions.
17. CSBs will maintain appropriate professional records of all Sexological Bodywork
classes and sessions.
18. CSBs will obtain informed, written permission from students before taping
or filming-any session, explaining the intended use of the tape or video and
the limits of confidentiality.
Duties
and Obligations Towards the Profession
19. CSBs are co-creating the profession of somatic sex education, which intends
to fill the public need for accurate information and embodied learning opportunities.
Any public representation by a CSB of the Sexological Bodywork profession shall
be respectful, in integrity with this Code and shall have the intention of furthering
the profession.
20. CSBs will represent with honesty and accuracy the scope of their training,
qualifications, and experience with Sexological Bodywork in all spoken or written
forms.
21. CSBs will monitor all oral and written statements used in the advertisement,
description, or explanation of services and the principles of Sexological Bodywork,
determining that those statements will not:
a. create unjustified expectations regarding outcomes or benefits;
b. make false claims about level of competence, training, or certification;
c. state or imply superiority to other methods or educational opportunities;
d. state or imply superiority to other Sexological Bodywork practitioners.
e. suggest that we diagnose, treat or prevent andy medical or psychological
condition.
22. CSBs will not represent other modalities as Sexological Bodywork, and will
distinguish between Sexological Bodywork and other professional services they
may offer.
23. CSBs will understand and practice Sexological Bodywork within the spirit
of the principles and letter of this Code. CSBs further agree to request supervision
and guidance when experiencing ambiguity or difficulty with interpretation of
what constitutes ethical behavior.
24. CSBs may directly contact in a constructive and positive manner, any CSB
community member about whom the Sexological Bodyworker has ethical concerns.
Alternately or additionally CSBs may contact the ACSB representative regarding
their concerns.
25. CSBs will aid the ACSB in upholding this Code and cooperate fully with an
investigation of possible violations.
Duties
and Obligations to Colleagues
26. CSBs will refrain from solicitation of colleagues' students.
27. CSBs will encourage appropriate communication between students and their
current or recent therapists.
28. Should conflict arise amongst CSB colleagues, whether as part of a training
session or within a personal context, the parties agree to seek resolution to
their conflict, including but not limited to mediation, in such a way as the
conflict and the resolution thereof, does not adversely effect students or the
educational setting. CSBs agree that they have read and understood the provisions
of this Code. They represent the standards to which CSBs aspire and will abide
to the best of their ability. Further, CSBs agree to be held accountable to
their colleagues for any actions that deviate from its standards. If a Sexological
Bodyworker chooses to cancel association with the ACSB and/or free themselves
from the provisions of this Code, they agree to provide immediate written notification
to the ACSB.I have read, understood and agree to the provisions of this CodePrint
Name
Copyright © ACSB, 2007