Scope of Practice
The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy offers two pathways to becoming healing practitioners: The Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Program and the Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy Program.
The scope of practice for the two levels of practice in the CCA program.
Levels of Practice
· The CCA student is someone who has taken at least one CCA course taught by an approved CCA instructor.
· A Certified Clinical Aromatherapist is someone who has met all the requirements as set by the CCA program and has received certification as a clinical aromatherapist by completing the core curriculum of 240 hours of course work, homework, research projects and written tests.
Code of Ethics for all Students & Practitioners of ISHA
The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy offers educational programs that teach the art of healing presence and the use of prayer, hands-on energetic healing and anointing with therapeutic essential oils within a healing practice. The programs are based in heart-centered service to others. To this end, students and practitioners abide by the institute’s Code of Ethics:
· The healing practitioner will not discriminate against others because of race, sex, creed, religious beliefs, illness, social/cultural situation or sexual orientation. The client’s humanness is to be respected at all times. Each person is considered whole and holy.
· The client is part of a unit such as a family or support network system. This unit is to be considered in understanding the health/healing need of the person. The individual rights are upheld at all times. The explanation given to the client is individualized according to the expressed need, context and personal situation. The explanation about the treatment should be conveyed at the level of the client’s understanding.
· Client’s choices regarding health care are to be honored. Client interventions are based on the knowledge level of the healing practitioner and on energetic findings from the assessment of the client’s Energy System followed by evaluation.
· All treatment findings are documented appropriately and in detail specific to the student/practitioner’s background and under the guidelines of Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry and clinical aromatherapy practice.
· Confidentiality of the client is to be respected at all times and data is stored in such a way as to protect the anonymity of the person. This data will not be used beyond the caring for the client unless permission is obtained in writing from the client.
· Energy healing and/or essential oils are offered only for the benefit of the client and in accord with the principle: do no harm.
· Conditions where limited ability to make one’s own judgments, such as those very sick, and those with impaired decision-making ability, are approached appropriately.
· Clients are referred to appropriate health care professionals as needed.
· The healing practitioner practices Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry and Clinical Aromatherapy within the scope of his/her background and training. Practitioners meet all obligations required by that background.
· The healing practitioner assumes accountability for his/her actions with conscious intent to facilitate health and healing for the client. Good judgment and appropriate touch is to be used at all times with any therapeutic application.
· The healing practitioner shall use good judgment regarding the application of therapies taught in the Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry and Clinical Aromatherapy programs.
· The healing practitioner provides a safe, clear boundary environment. Touch is appropriate for client needs and is non-sexual. Clients are clothed except in therapy contexts involving physical or clinical interventions requiring appropriate draping. Healing practitioners shall wear appropriate clothing at all times.
· The healing practitioner obtains supervision and consultation as needed.
· The Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry and Clinical Aromatherapy practitioner:
o Participates in maintaining high Standards of Practice.
o Practices under this Code of Ethics.
o Contributes to the ongoing development of the Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy.
o Represents the Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy to the public accordingly.
· Information about the Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy and its programs, the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for healing practitioners is available to the public at large.
Standards of Practice for Graduates of ISHA’s CCA Program
These Standards of Practice were specifically written to aid in the practice of clinical aromatherapy within an integrated practice of essential oils, prayer and energy healing. Graduates of the CCA program are expected to abide by these standards of practice.
A Certified Clinical Aromatherapist who has graduated from the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy practices within the scope of his/her background. This background is clearly represented to the client and the public in an appropriate manner such as a flyer or brochure outlining one’s credentials including the successful completion of approved courses in the CCA program as taught by approved instructors in the CCA program. The Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy granted through the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy is appropriately displayed on request.
The certified clinical aromatherapist abides by individual state laws regarding touching the human body and receiving payment for services. Therefore graduates of the institute obtain the necessary licenses to touch the human body when charging for services.
Standard 3
A certified clinical aromatherapist is a resource within his/her community to represent the practice of clinical aromatherapy and its relationship to other related individual practitioners, professions, institutions and organizations.
A certified clinical aromatherapist operates from a theoretical knowledge base of aromatherapy and maintains a commitment to continual learning and growing as a practitioner well grounded in the art, and the beginning scientific basis of essential oils as well as energetic principles.
Standard 5
A certified clinical aromatherapist who combines knowledge of essential oils along with prayer and energetic principles in a healing practice, first obtains health information and performs an energy assessment that serves as background for understanding the parameters of the current health/healing need(s) of the client. The certified clinical aromatherapist does not diagnose or prescribe.
Standard 6
The certified clinical aromatherapist always ascertains whether the client has any allergies, or sensitivities to any known substances. When sensitivities to particular essential oils and/or the plants that produced them are known, that essential oil and any blends that contain that oil are not used.
Standard 7
The certified clinical aromatherapist is knowledgeable of toxic and phototoxic effects of certain oils and uses them with proper precautions as taught in the CCA program. When working with pregnant women in the first trimester, the certified clinical aromatherapist uses therapeutic essential oils judicially as taught in the CCA program.
Standard 8
The certified clinical aromatherapist in a healing practice gives an explanation regarding what is going to be done, how and why, based on the energy assessment and the knowledge of the aromatherapist. The health problem may be researched and more information may be offered. Personal testimonials may be given on how the essential oils work physically, emotionally and spiritually. The client is a fully knowledgeable participant in the health/healing process based on his/her ability and chooses whether to receive prayer, hands-on healing along with the use of essential oils. The individual need for an explanation, including depth and scope, is to be honored. Some want more explanations and some want less. However, all certified clinical aromatherapists are grounded in being able to explain to the client what he/she is doing and why. As the scientific basis for clinical aromatherapy is established, the certified clinical aromatherapist is knowledgeable and able to share that information.
Standard 9
The certified clinical aromatherapist explains the various differences between the British and French models of essential oils to clients. The client chooses whether to receive therapeutic essential oils diffused in the room, neat or diluted on the body or used only in the energetic field.
Standard 10
The treatment given by a certified clinical aromatherapist in a healing practice is based on the client’s individual need and established from the assessment of the energy system as outlined in the teaching materials produced by the CCA program. At no time should a certified clinical aromatherapist indicate that essential oils can remedy physical, emotional or spiritual issues. They can however share with the client that essential oils support the various systems within the body, support the body’s natural defenses, aid in maintaining normal cellular regeneration, are immune enhancing, mood elevating, help manage stress and frustration, help reduce the appearance of aging, improve mental clarity, are oxygenating, are aromatic, are high in antioxidants, boost stamina and energy, and promote overall health, vitality and longevity.
Standard 11
After the healing treatment, the energy system is reassessed to determine the effect of the treatment and need for further treatment of the energy system and/or referral. The certified clinical aromatherapist does not discuss diseases unless medically trained and does not make false “disease claims” regarding essential oils, herbs, or supplements. Whether the client chooses to continue using essential oils, herbs or supplements is a personal decision.
Standard 12
A confidential record is maintained on each client documenting the history, presenting need, assessment, findings, treatment—use of essential oils, prayer, energy treatments, evaluation, and follow-up plan.
Referrals are made to other professionals as needed. Certified clinical aromatherapists practice within the scope of their background, training, knowledge and experience.
The Certified clinical aromatherapist is committed to quality care and leadership. This requires a commitment to operate from a Code of Ethics.
Certified Clinical Aromatherapists receive supervision and consultation for their healing practice as needed from qualified ISHA resources.