Code of Ethics for
Sexual Spirituality Practitioners

General Principles

1. The primary ethical responsibility is for the student's welfare.
2. The practitioner shall in all cases hold to the principle of "do no harm."
3. The practitioner shall ensure the student is always in an experience of consent.
4. The practitioner shall be professional in attitude and conduct; reliable in agreements; and timely in schedules.
5. Clear boundaries are the essential safety net for both practitioner and student; it is the practitioner's responsibity to ensure all boundaries are clear, and to hold those boundaries no matter what.

Boundaries and Safety

1. The practitioner shall discuss the boundaries inherent in the modality at the beginning of the professional relationship with a student. These boundaries will be maintained for the duration of that professional relationship in that modality.
   1. If a student transitions between modalities such that different inherent boundaries apply, this conversation will be repeated in the new context.
2. The scope of touch is discussed at the beginning of each and every session.
   1. Boundaries discussed should include: style, extent, duration, and location.
3. The boundaries for each session cannot be loosened in the course of that session; but additional boundaries may be added.
   1. Requests for a release of boundaries will be tabled for discussion prior to the next session.
4. Any activity must be stopped upon the request of the student.
5. Boundaries must include adequate protection against transmission of STI's.
6. Boundaries must include adequate protection against conception.
7. The practitioner is responsible for maintaining boundaries of time, as well as touch.
   1. The session duration should be agreed to prior to beginning.
   2. The practitioner shall make a good faith effort to hold to that duration, understanding that when large trauma release or other exceptional circumstances arise, this boundary is superceded by the welfare of the student.
   3. Some modalities may also establish a time-boundary on the scope of work, e.g., sacred intimates may have a six, nine, or twelve month limit on working with a student before requiring a similar time period away from the work. In such cases, it is the practitioner's responsibility to communicate and enforce this boundary.
8. The practitioner shall refer the student to appropriate licensed professional (medical doctor, psychiatrist, licensed therapist, etc.) for matters beyond the scope of work and competence of the practitioner.

Meeting Intentions

1. At the beginning of the work, and at the beginning of each session, the practitioner will discuss the student's intentions.
2. The practitioner shall provide the student with reasonable options for meeting the named intentions.
   1. The student shall never be coerced or convinced to participate in any activity, event, or exercise.
   2. Even if the practitioner's professional opinion is that a particular course of action is most appropriate for meeting the intention, the student's preferences shall always come first.
3. The scope of work overall, and the work within each session, shall serve the student's intentions.

Professionalism

1. The practitioner shall not undertake work when either the practitioner or the student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
   1. Exception: modalities in which use of sacrament in ritual is a part of the session itself.
2. The practitioner shall not use methods outside her or his training, experience, or competence.
3. The practitioner shall be responsible for obtaining relevant continuing education and keeping skills and knowledge current.
4. The practitioner shall never exploit a student for personal, professional, or financial gain.
5. The practitioner shall maintain one or more mentor or peer relationships for purposes of accountability and consulting on challenges.
6. The practitioner shall not solicit students from other practitioners.
7. The practitioner shall accurately present their scope of training, qualifications, and experience in any given modality upon request.
8. In written or spoken communications used in advertisement or explanation of services, the practitioner shall avoid any misrepresentation or coercion.
   1. The practitioner shall not create unjustified expectation about outcomes or results.
   2. The practitioner shall not make false claims about levels of competence or training.
   3. The practitioner shall not imply superiority over other practitioners.
   4. The practitioner shall not diagnose or suggest that this work treats or prevents any medical or psychological condition.
   5. The practitioner shall clarify distinctions between modalities without implying one modality is superior to another, but only to clarify the most appropriate use of each modality.

Social Contact and Relationship

1. Where practitioner and student share a community, any social contact shall be ordinary and unexceptional.
2. The practitioner shall not engage in private social or intimate contact with an active student outside the professional container.
3. The practitioner shall not solicit any relationship outside the professional relationship, especially including a romantic or financial/business relationship, from a student or prior student at any time, without expiration.
4. If a prior-student invites some ongoing relationship after the professional connection has ended, at least three months must transpire before any new relationship or intimate contact is established.
   1. Intimate contact includes: any physical intimacy; text messaging; phone conversations; or email correspondence beyond anything required to complete informational, financial, or logistical matters pursuant to the professional relationship.

Confidentiality

1. The practitioner shall preserve the confidentiality of all information received from the student, except as noted below.
   1. The student can release the practitioner from this obligation of confidentiality only by written release.
   2. The practitioner may share anonymous and non-identifying information for purposes of research or providing instruction.
   3. The practitioner may share anonymous and non-identifying information when consulting with mentors or peers.
   4. The practitioner may release confidential information when presented with a valid court order. In this case, the practitioner may only release information directly requested by the court order.
   5. The practitioner must inform appropriate authorities or agencies of any information that will prevent immanent harm to the student or others.
2. The practitioner shall maintain best practices for keeping any records, documents, notes, and financial records private and secure.