Healer's
Code of Ethics

I abide by this Shamanic Code of Ethics (a excerpted from Dr. Steve Serr’s article on ShamanPortal.com)

1)To work in sacred alliance with the Universe.

2) To recognize the wholeness inherent in each person, group or circumstance that comes for healing.  Here is a capsule summary of the essence of the shamanic model: the effort to restore wholeness. Whether it is a split or drained part of one’s power, or a split part of the soul, the shaman and spirits work together to restore what is its whole.

3) To honor whatever form pain is presented.  When one suffers, their suffering is to be honored, respected, and accepted as it is. All symptoms of pain need to be heeded as indications that something is not well. It is our function to then approach our spirit help to discern what this might be, and get guidance in how to proceed towards healing.

4) To be mindful of speech, thought, and action and their impact on building relationships.  A strong working relationship with other human beings as well as the spirit world is the only way shamanic work can be accomplished. As speech affects others, and thought affects action, so the shaman must be mindful of all of these, just as a monk, as all of these things will affect the world in some way.

5) To be respectful of clients and colleagues, even in differences.  This is a posture towards clients and colleagues of ‘unconditional respect’ that leaves the ‘door open’ for good work to be done with clients, and a good influence to be extended to colleagues.

6) To work with compassion and non-judgment.  ‘Judgment’ used here does not mean a simple ‘reckoning’, ‘determination’ or ‘assessment’. Here, the tone is one of speaking or thinking down of someone. ‘Compassion’, on the other hand, is the posture of someone in an understanding, aware, and sincere service.

7) To set personal interests or concerns aside so that efforts are focused on the client’s wellbeing.  Anything other than the client’s wellbeing is very simply that: not of service to the client.

8) To strive to the best of one’s ability to do no harm.  If you cannot do well, at least do no harm. This again, is a posture towards one’s work, a resolution to do one’s best. In terms of shamanic work, it is precisely the strength of one’s intention that is a key factor in the effort’s potential.

9) To never engage in sexual or business misconduct and abuse client trust.

10) To maintain clients’ right to privacy and confidentiality.  The shaman deals with particularly intimate and sensitive matters. In order to garner and retain client trust, a client must always know that their concerns will be held sacred and private by the practitioner.

11) To be honest with clients and other practitioners and be truthful in how one presents him or herself personally, in public relations and in advertising. Honesty is always the best way to gain and maintain a community’s respect and trust. Without honesty, it is impossible to maintain one’s own integrity.

12) To offer fair and appropriate fees. Time and training is valuable and needs to be respected and honored. On the other hand, training does not give one the prerogative to abuse the position of people in need. Too many caregivers are willing to under-charge for their work, and in fact, too many organizations hiring caregivers have taken advantage of this vulnerability in a compassionate person, for these are commonly the ones called to caregiving as a profession. However, the practitioner is also performing a valuable and difficult function for which many years of training and experience may be needed.

13) To keep one’s own life and personhood in balance to the best of their ability, and seek assistance when he or she needs it.   What goes into a balanced life? What makes for a vital, thriving person? We are encouraging this in others, should we not apply this as well to ourselves?

14) To consult with appropriate professionals and peers when he or she has questions about care, ethics or technique.  Reach out to colleagues, former teachers, or other professional associates to whom you know you can consult with confidentiality, for another perspective, other experiences, and the possibility of dialoging towards the level of reasonable assuredness you need to proceed. Professionals commonly establish an informal network of such associates; as such a resource is helpful for everyone.