Article Specs Article ID: 9785 VoxAcct: 172206 Section: words Age Group: Adult Days Up: 2,904 Times Read: 4,213 RSS Views: 21,649

Statement of Intent:
When we enter into any relationship, and particularly when we enter into a relationship as teacher and student, or as counselor and seeker, it’s wise to know the guidelines and boundaries of the relationship. In this way, we can hope to have clear expectations of each other. None of us exists in a vacuum; each of us holds certain values and truths. It’s helpful to know what those are, so that we know where we stand with each other. This document will help you understand who I am, and how I will act in relationship to you. It is my commitment to you, and to me, to act as best I can in service to my community.

General Personal Code of Ethics:

My personal goal is to see each situation as clearly as I can, to decide what action, if any, is most appropriate, to take that action, and to accept responsibility for the consequences. My guiding principles are:

• To be of service to my community
  
• To respect the dignity and worth of every person, recognizing the spark of the divine within each of us
  
• To recognize the importance of our relationships with each other
  
• To maintain my own integrity
  
• To act as well as possible within my own level of competence
  
• To recognize when I must ask for the help of others
  
• To act responsibly toward myself; to care for myself so I can be of service to others

Some problems will arise that represent conflict between general ethical principles, and sometimes it’s necessary to weigh one principle against another. Deciding how to weigh these principles is a challenging process. I respect the uniqueness of each case, of each decision, and approach each decision with appreciation of its special requirements. Where it is possible and appropriate, I seek guidance from other clergy members and other professionals, while respecting the confidentiality of those who have sought my help.

To be of service to my community:

I intend to create a safe place for all of us to express our feelings and explore whatever issues we need to explore.

I intend to do no harm, and to act in the best interests of those who ask for my help.

To respect the dignity and worth of every person, recognizing the spark of the divine within each of us:

I believe we each carry the Sacred within us, and that the Sacred connects us all.

I believe we are all of equal worth.

I respect the sacredness of each person’s beliefs, and do not hold mine to be intrinsically better than another’s. I do not impose my beliefs or values on anyone. I do, however, respect the rules and laws of our larger community, and seek to act within them.

I approach others with empathy and with the desire to understand their situations, not to judge them.

I seek to remember my own humanity and divinity, and the divinity and humanity of others.

To recognize the importance of our relationships with each other:

Clarity is crucial. We will discuss our expectations of each other, and agree how we will act toward each other.

Confidentiality is important in our relationship. What you say to me remains between us, unless you expressly give permission for it to be shared; unless I am required by law to share it; or unless I deem it absolutely necessary to break confidence to prevent serious harm being done to another person.

We may have more than one sort of relationship with each other. We may be friends, or coveners, or fellow students in another area of our lives. I am aware that multiple relationships can be confusing and difficult to manage, and have the potential to cause serious harm. If you feel that there is any conflict, I want you to tell me. If I feel there is a conflict, I will tell you. In either case, we will discuss how best to handle the conflict, and I will assist you in finding other help if necessary. I do not under any circumstances enter into relationships which combine counseling or teaching with romantic or sexual partnership.

To maintain my own integrity:

I am honest and open in my dealings with others. If I have information you need to know, I will tell you.

I only make promises I can keep.

I actively question and test my beliefs and opinions.

I will never stop questioning and learning.

To act as well as possible within my own level of competence:

I seek, and will continue to seek, the best possible training for the work that I do.

To recognize when I must ask for the help of others:

I am not a licensed professional counselor. I am here to help with problems that are short-term, or that address specific situations or questions. If you need long term counseling, I will make every effort to help you find suitable professional help, and I will be available to support you through that process if you and your professional counselor agree that would be appropriate.

If anything should arise in the course of our discussions that makes it inadvisable for me to continue working with you, I will tell you, and will assist you in finding other help.

To act responsibly toward myself; to care for myself so I can be of service to others:

I respect my own needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual, and care for myself so that I can continue to help others. I know that if I do not care for myself, I cannot help anyone else.

Thank you for reading this statement. I hope we will work together, in
trust and compassion.

ABOUT... Honeycomb Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Website: http://www.metbymoonlight.com Author's Profile: To learn more about Honeycomb - Click HERE Bio: Honeycomb, after thirty years of solitary eclectic practice, has for five years been a Witch and Priestess in the Delaware Valley Reclaiming Community and is now also a student of Feri. To know her better, visit www.metbymoonlight.com or her Witchvox profile. Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE Email Honeycomb... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.) To send a private message to Honeycomb ...