The Code of Ethics and Ethical Code of Practice (‘Ethical Codes’ or ‘Codes’) are a set of requirements to which all ASIS Members must adhere. They form a solid base of ethical practice which is the hallmark of a grounded, boundaried, integrated and ethical practitioner. Their intention is to offer a dynamic set of ethical standards which allow for flexibility, reflecting the various working practices of individual practitioners.

The Ethical Code of Practice expands upon the Code of Ethics and offers standards of professionalism expected from Members.

ASIS Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics addresses the third point in the ASIS Aims and Objectives:

Somatic Sexology is a diverse field. ASIS Members share the common aims of supporting Clients’ individual personal growth, empowerment and integration, and their emotional, physical, mental, spiritual and sexual well-being. ASIS recognises that Members may work in differing though related disciplines. These broadly encompass talking (e.g. coaching, counselling, education, psychotherapy) and/or somatic modalities (e.g. bodywork, breathwork, massage, sexual surrogacy, trauma release) and/or energy work (e.g. sexual shamanism, Tantric and Taoist practices).

The term “Client” in these Ethical Codes refers to any person or corporate entity who is paying for our services or undertaking a free or reduced price session that will count towards a professional certification.

These Ethical Codes are intended to provide both the general principles and the rules covering most situations encountered by Members. It has as its primary goal the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom Members work.

The development of a dynamic set of ethical standards for Members’ work-related conduct requires a personal commitment to a lifelong effort to behave ethically; to encourage ethical behaviour by colleagues, employees, supervisors, and students, as appropriate; and to consult with others as needed concerning ethical problems. Each Member supplements, but does not violate, the Ethical Codes’ values and rules on the basis of guidance drawn from personal values, culture, context, and experience.

The Ethical Codes are not exhaustive. The fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by the Codes does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or unethical. In the process of making decisions regarding their professional behaviour, Members must consider this Codes, in addition to the requirements of law. When the Codes establishes a higher standard than the law, Members must meet the higher ethical standard. If the Codes’ standards appear to conflict with the requirements of law, Members take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner. ASIS may take action for violation of the Ethical Codes including reprimand, censure, and termination of membership.

ASIS Ethical Code of Practice

1. Members will be professional in attitude and conduct, responsible in relations with Clients and colleagues, reliable in agreements and timely in appointment schedules.

2. Members agree that they have read and understood the provisions of the ASIS Ethical Codes. They represent the standards to which Members aspire and will abide to the best of their ability. Further, Members agree to be held accountable for any actions that deviate from its standards.

3. Members recognise the importance of consent and choice in all professional interactions with Clients. Members will strive to provide a range of options from which the Client can actively elect that which will serve their own growth. At no time shall a Client be required or coerced to participate in any activity, event or exercise. Members inform and educate their Clients about consent and choice and actively create learning environments where Clients are empowered to exercise those skills.

4. Members may use physical touch if they deem it appropriate. If they do so, they touch consciously and with the attitude to do no harm, with concern for the client's growth; for the safety of both/all parties; and to honour the agreed boundaries established. Members agree to co-create clear agreements with Clients before engaging in practices involving touch. ASIS recommends the use of written intake forms where consent is given in writing as best practice.

5. Regarding Sexual Contact and / or Conduct with Clients:

     a. Sessions are Client-centred and the Clients' boundaries are of primary importance.

     b. Members acknowledge the importance of maintaining and respecting agreed boundaries. Boundaries are to be discussed, agreed and set at the beginning of each session; including the stipulation that boundaries may not be renegotiated or changed during that session. Maintaining the agreed boundaries also includes stopping touch when Clients request it.

     c. Members understand the inherent inequality of power we hold relative to Clients in our role of practitioner/teacher and agree not to use this power for the sexual exploitation of Clients.

     d. Members agree that they will not seek to meet their erotic appetites through their Clients. Members are conscious that, and make Clients conscious that, sessions will neither fulfil the Member's, nor their Client’s desire for romantic and sexual connection.

     e. Members agree not to have any form of sexual contact with Clients outside sessions.

     f. When attraction occurs within the professional relationship (either from Client towards Member or from Member towards Client), Members agree to discuss the attraction at professional supervision with the aim of maintaining clear professional boundaries and protecting the Client’s ability to access the work.

    g. This clause, 5 g., applies only to Members and sessions in Certified Sexological Bodywork® (CSB); Certified Somatic Sex Education (CSSE); Certified SOMA Intimacy®; and Transformational Tantra Massage (TTM). In CSB, CSSE, SOMA Intimacy and TTM sessions, the Member remains clothed when touching Clients and erotic touch is unidirectional only, Member to Client. If Clients wish to learn interpersonal erotic skills, we request they bring their partners or invite them to share and learn with other Clients when appropriate.

6. Members acknowledge the importance of physical, in addition to emotional, mental, spiritual and sexual well-being. To protect the health of both Client and Member, Members recognise the need for risk-reduction and professional protocols in all individual and group sessions. Members take steps to minimize any harm, in active collaboration with all Clients. It is the responsibility of the Member to ensure that adequate precautionary measures against the transmission of communicable diseases and infections have been taken and to ensure that the Client has taken similar precautions. Professional protocol for intimate touch includes:

a. The use of medical-grade examination gloves and quality lubricants.

b. When the Member has any break in the skin of their hand (abrasions, infection, rash, cut etc.), it is highly recommended it be covered by gloves or a plaster for the Members’ and Clients' protection.

c. All group classes shall include education about group hygiene protocol, with sufficient facilities / supplies provided to Clients to maintain appropriate hygiene.

d. Sexual surrogates (Band 3 insurance) are required to have sexual health screenings every three to six months, must keep evidence of their sexual health screening tests and must make them available to ASIS upon request.

e. It is recommended that practitioners maintain a current first aid qualification.

7. Members are required to have regular supervision as a routine part of their practice. This could be peer/group supervision and/or expert supervision/mentoring or, optimally, both. At a minimum, this consists of participating in their ASIS circle. Members further agree to request supervision and guidance when experiencing ambiguity or difficulty with interpretation of what constitutes ethical behaviour.

8. Members will consider the limits of their skills and experience before accepting requests for or providing educational or instructional services to potential Clients and will refuse professional work for which they are insufficiently qualified and may recommend another modality or practitioner.

9. Members will terminate professional relationships with Clients when such services are no longer required or no longer serve the needs and interests of the Clients. Members may unilaterally terminate services, on just and reasonable grounds after careful consideration of all situational factors and any possible adverse effects. Members are responsible for making appropriate referrals and to provide support to Clients during such transitions.

10. Members will refrain from providing any professional services while either the Member or the Client is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

11. Members will refrain from the exploitation of professional relationships with Clients, whether current or past, for personal gain, whether financial, professional, emotional, sexual, or for research purposes.

12. Members will respect, defend, and preserve the privacy of all information gained from Clients. Members will preserve the anonymity of Clients when using information for purposes of teaching, research, and supervision.

13. Members are co-creating the profession and reputation of Somatic Sexology, which intends to fill the public need for accurate information and embodied learning opportunities. Any public representation by a Member of the profession shall be respectful, in integrity with these Codes and shall have the intention of furthering the profession.

14. Members may directly contact, in a constructive and positive manner, any ASIS Member about whom they have ethical concerns. Alternatively or additionally Members may contact the ASIS board regarding their concerns.

15. Members will aid ASIS in upholding these Codes and co-operate fully with any investigation of possible violations.

16. Members will refrain from solicitation of colleagues’ Clients.

17. Members will encourage appropriate communication between Clients and their current or recent therapists and other professionals where appropriate.

18. If a Member chooses to cancel association with ASIS and free themselves from any provision of the ASIS Ethical Codes, they agree to provide immediate written notification to ASIS.

19. Should conflict arise amongst ASIS Members, 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 affect Clients or the profession.

20. Use of ASIS logo: Members are permitted to show the official ASIS logo as provided by ASIS to promote their individual practice (for example on their website or headed stationery) as long as their membership remains up to date. The ASIS Member logo must not be used to advertise courses, which would give the impression that the member was acting as a representative of, or under the direction of ASIS.