Declaration of Ethics
As facilitators, we recognize the sacredness of the human body and the profound responsibility that comes with engaging in embodied work. In all our interactions, we commit to upholding the following ethical principles:
Respect for the Body and Space
The body is sacred. We honor the uniqueness and dignity of every individual we encounter. We respect each client’s physical, emotional, and energetic boundaries, including the space between us. Our presence shall never be invasive, whether in physical proximity or in energetic engagement.
Practice Environment
As Somatic Dialogue facilitators we create and maintain a practice environment that supports safety, presence, and mutual respect. The physical and relational space is held with care and grounded in clear boundaries. We attend to atmosphere, pacing, and embodied awareness to foster an environment of trust and responsiveness. Whether working in person or online, the space is arranged to honor confidentiality, consent, and the unfolding of each person’s unique process within a field of shared gentleness.
Conscious Use of Touch
Touch is a powerful tool that must be used with care. We will always seek explicit consent before initiating any physical contact. Every touch must be intentional, conscious, and serve a clear purpose in supporting the client’s process. We recognize that safety and agency are foundational to any meaningful transformation.
Non-Judgment and Acceptance
We refrain from judging clients based on their appearance, clothing, movement, or self-expression. We meet each person as they are, without assumption or expectation. As facilitators, we commit to creating a space of unconditional acceptance, where all aspects of the client’s being are welcomed.
Cultural Sensitivity
We honor and value the diversity of culture, identity, gender, and life experience. We commit to approaching each person with openness and curiosity, recognizing that cultural context shapes how we move, feel, and relate. We respect the lived realities of every participant and strive to create an inclusive environment where all voices and expressions are acknowledged with care.
Confidentiality and Privacy
We hold the stories, experiences, and expressions shared in our work with deep respect and discretion. What is revealed in the space of Somatic Dialogue remains confidential. We protect the privacy of all participants and refrain from sharing identifying information or personal details without explicit consent. Trust is the foundation of our practice, and we are dedicated to maintaining it at all times.
Crisis Management
We recognize that embodied work can surface intense emotions, memories, or trauma responses. In moments of crisis or overwhelm, our first responsibility is to ensure the client’s safety and stability. We remain calm, grounded, and present, offering containment and support within our scope of competence.
When a situation exceeds our capacity or professional boundaries, we commit to referring the client to appropriate medical, psychological, or emergency support. We do not attempt to diagnose, treat, or manage crises beyond our training. We maintain clear protocols for emergency response and uphold the principle of “do no harm” in all circumstances.
Self-Awareness and Mentorship
When personal discomfort or inner judgment arises, we take full responsibility for our internal process. We commit to seeking support, reflection, and guidance from peers or mentors, ensuring our own growth does not interfere with the client’s journey.
Commitment to Ongoing Development
As Somatic Dialogue facilitators, we hold an ethical responsibility to engage in continuous personal and professional growth. This includes ongoing study, self-reflection, supervision, and embodied practice to deepen awareness, integrity, and skill. We recognize that our own body, history, and relational patterns are part of the dialogical field, and we commit to cultivating clarity and responsiveness through sustained learning. By remaining open to feedback, new research, and evolving understandings of embodiment and ethics, we ensure that our work stays alive, relevant, and in service of the well-being of those we accompany.
Respect for Vulnerability and Process
We honor the vulnerability, sensitivity, and personal history that each client brings to a session. We respect their timing, their process, and the pace at which they are ready to move. We shall never push, coerce, or direct a client toward a place they are not ready, or do not wish to go.
Integrity in Practice
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and care. Our role is to serve, to support, and to facilitate, never to dominate, fix, or impose.
Professional Boundaries and Conduct
Under no circumstances do we engage in any form of romantic or sexual contact with clients. Likewise, we do not permit any such conduct directed toward us by clients. All communication and behavior must strictly avoid any suggestion, implication, or possibility of seduction or sexual context.
We are committed to maintaining a professional environment that is respectful, safe, and free from inappropriate or suggestive interactions. We uphold and respect the sexual orientation, gender identity, and personal boundaries of every individual we work with.
Advertising
As Somatic Dialogue facilitators we communicate our offerings with integrity, transparency, and respect for the depth of the work. We acknowledge that our advertising should reflect the facilitator’s actual training, scope of practice, and experience without exaggeration or promises of specific outcomes. We use language and imagery in ways that honor the sensitivity of embodied processes, avoiding manipulation, sensationalism, or appropriation. Our intention is to invite, not to persuade, to represent the practice truthfully and in alignment with its relational, process-oriented nature.