CODE OF ETHICS

Authentic Tantra® is a trademarked holistic sexual healing modality that includes application of the ancient Tibetan 5 Element Teachings of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. The trademark Authentic Tantra® and the copyright in the modalities incorporated into Authentic Tantra® material is owned by Devi Ward Erickson, and licensed to the Institute of Authentic Tantra Education Ltd. (IATE Ltd.)

The founders of IATE Ltd. take their responsibility for sharing The Tibetan 5 Element Teachings with the general public very seriously.

It is in our interest to protect the Authentic Tantra® teachings, by making sure that the spreading of them happens in a way that preserves their authenticity and integrity as well as protects the Certified Authentic Tantra® Practitioners and their clients.

This document, in conjunction with the Certification Licensing Agreement, serve this purpose.

INSTITUTE OF AUTHENTIC TANTRA ETHICAL CODES OF CONDUCT

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

2. AT Practitioners agree that they have read and understood the provisions of the Code of Ethics. They represent the standards to which AT Practitioners aspire and will abide to the best of their ability. Further, AT Practitioners agree to be held accountable to their colleagues for any actions that deviate from its standards.

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

4. AT Practitioners may use physical touch if they deem it reasonable and appropriate in a particular situation. If they do so, they shall 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 honor the agreed upon boundaries established. AT Practitioners agree to obtain both verbal and written consent from Clients before engaging in any form of bodywork, and to explain to the Client how to effectively withdraw consent.

5. Regarding Sexual Contact with Clients as part of Tantric Sexual Healing; a. Sessions are Client-centered and the Clients' boundaries are of primary importance.

• b. AT Practitioners acknowledge the importance of maintaining and respecting agreed upon boundaries. Boundaries are to be discussed, agreed and set at the beginning of each session. Honoring boundaries also includes stopping touch when Clients request it, whether expressly or impliedly.

• c. The Company highly discourages boundaries being renegotiated in the midst of hands on sessions due to the potential fragility and vulnerability of the Client. However, AT Practitioners are encouraged to critically assess a Client’s needs continually during a healing session. If boundaries are renegotiated during a session it must be done with express mutual verbal and physical consent, and the AT Practitioner is required to obtain the express written documentation of that renegotiated consent at the end of the session.

• d. AT Practitioners 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.

• e. AT Practitioners agree that they will not seek to meet their erotic appetites through their Clients. AT Practitioners shall remain conscious of this code and shall make reasonable efforts to make Clients conscious that sessions will neither fulfill the AT Practitioner's, nor their Client’s desire for romantic sexual connection.

• f. AT Practitioners agree not to have any form of sexual contact or relationship with Clients outside of sessions, in any manner whatsoever. Within a session, AT Practitioner agrees to limit sexual contact to using their hands to administer a sexual healing session; the use of oral sex, intercourse or any other sexual act beyond yoni massage and lingam massage is prohibited.

• g. When attraction occurs within the professional relationship (either from Client towards practitioner or from practitioner towards Client) the AT Practitioner agrees to discuss the attraction during professional supervision sessions with the aim of maintaining clear professional boundaries and protecting the Client’s ability to access the work.

6. Additionally, AT Practitioners will not meet their needs for emotional connection, psychological support or sexual desire through their clients. The Practitioner/Client relationship will focus on meeting the client's needs and agreed upon goals.

7. AT Practitioners acknowledge the importance of physical, in addition to emotional, mental, spiritual and sexual well-being. To protect the health of both Client and practitioner, AT Practitioners are encouraged to discuss any potential health risks with hands-on clients, as well as taking all necessary precautions.

8. AT Practitioners must consider the limits of their skills and experience before accepting requests for or providing services to potential Clients.

9. AT Practitioners will terminate professional relationships with Clients when such services no longer serve the needs and interests of the Clients. AT Practitioners may unilaterally terminate services on just and reasonable grounds after careful consideration of all situational factors provided that the AT Practitioner makes appropriate referrals for the Client to provide support to the Client during such a transition.

10. AT Practitioners will refrain from working in a professional capacity if inebriated. AT practitioners will not provide services to clients who appear to be intoxicated or whose judgment may be impaired due to ingesting inebriating substances.

11. AT Practitioners 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. AT Practitioners will respect, defend and strictly preserve the privacy of all information gained or received from Clients. AT Practitioners will preserve the anonymity of Clients when using information for purposes of teaching, research and supervision.

13. AT Practitioners co-facilitate the increased awareness and practice of ancient Tibetan 5 element teachings and Authentic Tantra® practices in the world, intended to fill the public need for accurate information and embodied learning opportunities. Any public representation by an AT Practitioner shall be respectful and in integrity with this Code and shall have the intention of furthering the motivation of these teachings and the Authentic Tantra® practices.

14. AT Practitioners may directly contact, in a constructive and positive manner, any AT community member about whom they have ethical concerns. Alternatively, or additionally, practitioners may contact the Institute of Authentic Tantra Education Ltd. Board of Directors regarding their concerns.

15. AT Practitioners will aid the Institute of Authentic Tantra Education Ltd. in upholding this Code, the integrity of the Authentic Tantra® practices, and co-operate fully with any investigation of suspected violations.

16. AT Practitioners will refrain from solicitation of colleague’s Clients.

17. AT Practitioners will encourage appropriate communication between Clients and their current or recent therapists.

Click here to read the full Authentic Tantra® code of ethics.