Ethics and Risk Management

• Describe fully and accurately, your legal title(s), certifications and the nature of your practice. Ex: Jane Doe, PhD, CEHP (doctorate in theology, certified energy health practitioner). My practice specializes in energy healing, EFT and other energy modalities.

• Visibly state in all your advertising materials if you are a licensed or non-licensed health care professional. Jane Doe is a non-licensed health care professional. 



• Make sure the description of your services correspond to your scope of practice. 

• Non-licensed health care professionals - avoid all mention of diagnostic labels. Jane Doe cannot advertise treating DSMIV diagnostic categories.

• Follow your provincial or Federal Trade Commission rules and regulations regarding advertising. 



• If you are not a licensed psychologist, check your local regulations about whether you can use the term "energy psychology" as a modality that you practice. 
Some states and provinces protect the term "psychology" so that only psychologists can use it. An alternative phrase could be energy health modalities or cognitive somatic energy practices. 

• An informed consent agreement needs to be drafted specifically for your practice

• Avoid generic forms or borrowing from another practitioner, or a book, which can increase legal vulnerabilities

• Provide a description of your credentials, education, and training 

• Describe the theoretical basis of the energy-based methods you use

 

• Disclose that energy-based methods used, have not yet been fully researched and are considered experimental 

• Provide information on the risks and benefits of the energy-based methods you use

• Many state laws require exact and specific language in an informed consent document. Provide the necessary legal language. Know the laws in your jurisdiction. 

• Include a statement of indemnification and release of liability

• State a client’s choice to opt out of energy interventions 

• Obtain brief verbal consent of your intervention at each session. General written consent is ethically not sufficient. 

• Your disclaimer needs to be drafted specifically for your website content 

• Avoid generic disclaimers or borrowing a disclaimer from another website, which can increase legal vulnerabilities

• Display a visible link to your disclaimer on your home page; your disclaimer should have its own page

 

• State that website content does not engage the visitor into a professional relationship
  

• State that website content provides general information, not intended as professional advice or treatment 

• Testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of outcome 

• Provide the necessary legal language; include indemnification and release of liability 



• Display it visibly on entrance page

• Conduct a professional risk management audit of your practice and website 

• Do not use a generic informed consent, disclaimer, or website. They can be legally useless. 



• Do not borrow legal documents such as an informed consent from another practitioner or a book. You and your practice are unique, and deserve special and targeted attention.

• Become aware of the laws in your province/sate. They regulate your scope of practice. 

• Practice with an inquisitive mind, of yourself, your work, and others 



• Practice with honesty, transparency, and integrity

ACEP guidelines for representing yourself as an energy psychology practitioner

Website of Midge Murphy, JD, PhD - Ethics and Legal Principles in Energy Therapies