Somatica Institute Code of Ethics

Preamble

The Somatica® Institute is committed to maintaining and promoting compassion, integrity, connection and professionalism in sex and relationship coaching. The skills required for success in sex and relationships are learnable and the Somatica Training offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to learning these skills and sharing them with others. We expect that all Somatica Trained Practitioners adhere to the elements and principles of ethical conduct, maintain a systematic and loving approach, and integrate the Somatica method effectively. The Code of Ethics is designed to provide appropriate guidelines, accountability and enforceable standards of conduct for all Somatica practitioners who commit to abiding by the following Somatica Code of Ethics:

Part One: Definitions

  • Somatica Coaching: Partnering with clients to support them in reaching their sex and relationship goals by creating a safe, non-judgmental space and offering an authentic connection and practical tools.
  • Certified Somatica Practitioner: A Somatica Training graduate who completed the certification process successfully and passed the certification exam, and pledges accountability to the Somatica Code of Ethics.
  • Trained Somatica Practitioner: A Somatica Training graduate who completed the Core Training and the Advanced Training, and pledges accountability to the Somatica Code of Ethics.
  • Somatica Student: A Somatica Student is someone enrolled in a Somatica training program or someone attending supervision in order to learn the coaching process or enhance and develop their coaching skills.

Part Two: The Somatica Code of Ethics

Section 1: Professional Conduct at Large

As a Practitioner, I:

  1. Conduct myself in accordance with the Somatica Code of Ethics in all interactions with my clients.
  2. Keep my own boundaries in all interactions with my clients, fellow Students, Somatica Instructors, Somatica Group Leaders, Somatica Alumni, Somatica Supervisors and Somatica Practitioners.
  3. Communicate any discomfort I may feel with a fellow Student, Somatica Instructors, Somatica Group Leaders, Somatica Alumni, Somatica Supervisor or Somatica Practitioner and, if resolution and repair cannot be reached, to contact one of the Somatica founders.
  4. Contact a Somatica founder to address any ethical violation or possible breach as soon as I become aware, whether it involves me or others.
  5. Communicate and create awareness in others, including organizations, employees, coaches and others, who might need to be informed of the responsibilities established by this Code.
  6. Make sure my practice is inviting to a broad range of clients and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual identity, gender identity, or ability. If I am working with particular clients or issues, I will be prepared to offer potential clients appropriate referrals to other Somatica practitioners.
  7. Make verbal and written statements that are true and accurate about what I offer as a Practitioner, the coaching profession, and Somatica.
  8. Accurately identify my professional background and qualifications, expertise, experience, Somatica training, and certifications.
  9. Recognize and honor the efforts and contributions of others and only claim ownership of my own material.
  10. Store and dispose of any records, including electronic files and communications, that I choose to create during my coaching engagements in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security, and privacy and complies with any applicable laws and agreements.
  11. Use contact information I acquired through my participation in Somatica trainings or referrals (email addresses, telephone numbers, and so on) only in the manner and to the extent authorized by the individual.
  12. Honor an equitable practitioner/client relationship, regardless of the form of compensation.

Section 2: Professional Conduct with Clients

As a Somatica Practitioner/Coach/Trainee, I:

  1. Carefully explain and strive to ensure that, prior to or at the initial session, my client understands:
    • that Somatica is an experiential, clothes-on practice
    • that I will keep confidentiality
    • my rates and the length of session I will provide, and any other financial arrangements
    • any other terms of the coaching agreement
  2. Have a clear written coaching service agreement with my clients that we both sign before beginning the coaching relationship and honor this agreement.
  3. Hold responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern interactions, physical or otherwise, I may have with my clients.
  4. Avoid any sexual or romantic relationships with current clients. At a minimum, I agree to wait a year with no contact from a final coaching session before engaging in any romantic or sexual relationship with a past client. I am aware that, as an attachment relationship, it is likely much more helpful to my client to be able to have me available as a coach in an ongoing manner, even if the client has decided they no longer need my services at this time. I also understand and have explained to my client that starting a romantic relationship will shift my ability to be the more neutral attachment figure they have connected with so far, and that they can no longer go back to being a client once a romantic relationship with me has begun or ended.
  5. Will not invite close friends to be my paid coaching clients.
  6. Respect the client’s right to terminate the coaching relationship at any point during the process, subject to the provisions of the agreement. I will also pay attention to indications that there is a shift in the value received from the coaching relationship. If I’m concerned that the client is no longer getting value from the coaching, I will bring it up if the client does not bring it up.
  7. Encourage the client to make a change if I believe the client would be better served by another Somatica Practitioner or by another resource. I will suggest my client seek the services of other professionals when deemed necessary or appropriate.

Section 3: The Boundaries of the Somatica Method

The Somatica Method provides a unique set of boundaries that allow clients to explore attachment and desire and learn skills of seduction and sexual technique. To be a practitioner in the method, I agree to keep the following boundaries:

  1. Meetings with clients only happen during paid session times – I will not meet with my clients outside of paid sessions.
  2. The clients and the practitioner remain fully clothed during sessions.
  3. Touch is only for the purpose of furthering the client’s coaching goals. Whenever proposing a touching exercise with a client, I will make sure I have verbal consent from the client before proceeding to touch them.

Section 4: Confidentiality/Privacy

As a coach, I:

  1. Maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all client information unless a release is required by law.
  2. Have a clear agreement about how coaching information will be exchanged between coach and client (e.g., email, phone, text, other).

Part Three: The Somatica Pledge of Ethics

As a Somatica Practitioner/Trainee/Student, I acknowledge and agree to honor my ethical and legal obligations to my coaching clients and colleagues, and to the public at large. I pledge to comply with the Somatica Code of Ethics and to practice these standards with those whom I coach, teach, mentor or supervise.

If I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any part of the Somatica Code of Ethics, I agree that Somatica, in its sole discretion, may hold me accountable for doing so. I further agree that my accountability to Somatica for any breach may include sanctions, such as loss of my Somatica Certification and/or my Somatica Credentials.

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