Code of ethics
1. Introduction
The Sound Energy Medicine Practitioners Association (SEMPA) is committed to ensuring that the highest standards of teaching and practice are maintained at all times.
2. The Sound Therapy/ Sound Energy Medicine Practitioner’s responsibility to the profession and colleagues
2.1 Practitioners must ensure they are competent to give sound therapy in the best interests of the client. If this is not possible, through ill health – mentally or physically – the practitioner should refrain from practising.
2.2 Practitioners should be aware of their limitations and refer clients to other appropriate qualified practitioners where their requirements appear to be outside the scope of holistic sound healing.
2.3 Practitioners should not make any kind of medical diagnosis of or prescribe treatment for a client unless qualified to do so.
2.4 Practitioners shall ensure that clients are aware of the complementary nature of the treatment and advise them to seek medical help wherever appropriate.
2.5 Practitioners must be aware of contra-indications to sound therapy and have a responsibility to ask clients about any medical treatment and medication, and to be able to consult the GP, if appropriate. (please, see list of general Contraindications by this link)
2.6. If a patient is referred by a medical practitioner, the medical practitioner shall remain clinically accountable for the client and for any treatment given by sound therapist.
2.7 Practitioners must not make any claims to cure.
2.8 Practitioners should monitor their ongoing development and update their knowledge through professional literature, courses and supervision.
2.9 Practitioners should be aware of the laws prohibiting complementary therapists from treating certain medical conditions.
3. Practitioner / Client Relationship
3.1 The practitioner’s obligation to clients is based primarily on the contractual relationship between them. Practitioners should explain the nature of the contract in particular the duration of treatment, amount of fees (including cancellation fees) and method of payment.
3.2 Practitioners should be mindful of the responsibility they have to their clients; they shall not abuse the trust placed in them and shall at all times act with integrity. Practitioners must always protect their client’s modesty and sense of dignity.
3.3 Practitioners must ensure that confidentiality is maintained. Consent of the client must be obtained, if any information is disclosed, except in the case of professional supervision or when the law requires this. Practitioners must collect, store, process and erase personal data in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, or ‘GDPR’ for short.
3.4 Practitioners must not engage in sexual activity with their client.
3.5 In the case of a client under the age of 18 years, the parent must be in the room when the child is being massaged.
3.6 Practitioners shall have respect for the religious, political and social views of any individual irrespective of race, colour, creed, sex or sexual orientation.
4. Issues of Practice Management
4.1 Practitioners shall at all times maintain high standards of hygiene, both personal and in the work environment.
4.2 The work environment and the equipment used must be designed for the purpose of massage.
4.3 All advertising shall be informative, factually correct and not misleading.
- Practitioners shall only advertise skills and services for which they are qualified
- Practitioners must not advertise in any way that implies that they are offering sexual services
- Practitioners shall not use the term ‘Registered SEMPA Practitioner’ in advertising and promotional material unless they are currently registered on SEMPA’s list of practitioners.
4.4 Practitioners should not solicit or canvass clients of a colleague.
4.5 Practitioners shall insure themselves and the premises in which they work to cover professional treatments, professional indemnity and public liability.
4.6 Practitioners shall keep comprehensive records of all clients and treatments given, both for the benefit of maintaining continuity of treatment, reviewing treatment methods and in order to defend themselves in any action that may be brought by a dissatisfied client.
5. Insurance
5.1. Practitioners must hold insurance cover appropriate to their business practice. All Practitioners must hold relevant insurance cover for Medical Malpractice Treatment Liability (including Public and Product Liability, where required).
5.2. It is Practitioner’s responsibility to understand the extent and conditions of their insurance cover. If in doubt they must refer to their policy wording or contact their insurance provider for clarification.
5.3. When employing sound therapists, it is the responsibility of both the employer and the employee to ensure that appropriate insurance cover is in place for the employee. It is a legal requirement for members who are employers to hold Employers’ Liability insurance cover.
Check also our Legal Disclaimers and Waiver for sound therapy practice.