Shiatsu Society of Ontario

CODE OF ETHICS 

(1) Environmental / Social

Members of the SSO are obliged to be aware of their role and responsibility to their community, locally and globally.

(2) Conduct

SSO members are professionals who conduct themselves ethically and in accordance with the standards and quality of their training. They represent themselves and their certification honestly and practice only those modalities in which they are qualified.

(3) Health

Members of the SSO are required to use Health History Questionnaires when seeing new clients and they must keep accurate follow-up records of each treatment that they give. They realize that part of their responsibility to their clients is to recognize when the practice of Shiatsu will not be beneficial to the client�s condition and they will take appropriate steps to refer the client to the appropriate western medical practitioners.

(4) Image

SSO members are required to pay scrupulous attention to cleanliness and hygiene in their practice and strive to create a relaxing atmosphere in which their clients may receive treatment.

(5) Confidentiality

SSO members hold the information that their clients give them, in whatever form, in the strictest confidence. They strive to maintain clear communication with their clients and willingly describe the techniques used in treatment for their client�s benefit.

(6) Trust

SSO members foster relationships of trust with their clients and establish clear boundaries with their clients in order to create an atmosphere of safety.

(7) Respect

SSO members honour the client�s physical and emotional state and in no way take advantage of the therapeutic relationship. They are considerate of the client�s personal comfort zone. They respect a client�s requests as much as possible, within the scope of professional and ethical limits. They do not engage in sexual activity with a client. They acknowledge the inherent worth and individuality of each person and do not unjustly discriminate against clients or peers.

(8) Integrity

SSO members practice Shiatsu in a professional and compassionate manner, representing themselves, their practice and their art in an honest, accurate and ethical way. They conduct business honestly.

(9) Courtesy

SSO members communicate clearly and directly with others, both professional and public, in an open and courteous manner. They respect the standards set by the authorities that govern the practice of Shiatsu and Asian Medicine within Canada and wherever they are in practice.

(9)    Excellence

SSO members recognize that at the core of Shiatsu rests the notion of �practice.� To that end they regularly undertake professional assessment and personal development to increase their skill and ability so as to better themselves and to better serve their clients.

(11) Misconduct

SSO members are expected to conduct themselves according to the above guidelines. If circumstances should arise where the conduct of a member is questioned, this member will be subject to a review by the Society�s Ethics and Complaints Committee. The inquiry will ascertain the nature of the complaint and give an opportunity for all concerned parties to express their views. Should it be found that the issue can be rectified, all help possible will be given to assist the member in rectifying the situation and conducting their practice more efficiently. However, should it be found that the member in question was in violation of the Code of Ethics laid out by the Society, appropriate action will be taken which may result in the termination of their membership.

All Members of the SSO are required to abide by the above code of ethics.
An Ethics Committee presides over this to ensure that the highest possible standards are upheld for the practice of shiatsu.

A public complaints inquiry and review process is established to address any ethical concerns.

All practising members of the SSO are required to carry current professional liability insurance, as well as having current CPR / First Aid training.

For members in the GTA, a current Holistic Practitioner's Licence is also required.