As an EFT professional certified by ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology), I’m expected to follow that organization’s guidelines for ethical practice.
To be certified by ACEP, I had to demonstrate my ability to carry out EFT processes skillfully, and pass an examination on ethics.
Being an RN, I was already familiar with many of the guidelines ACEP spells out:
– Keeping what clients tell me confidential
– Demonstrating respect and compassion for clients
– Refraining from establishing romantic, sexual, or social relationships with clients.
While it’s obvious why provider-client romantic and sexual relationships are forbidden, the reason for banning purely social interactions may be less clear.
Adding a social dimension shifts the relationship’s purpose and focus.
In therapeutic relationships, the client’s welfare is the paramount concern. In social relationships, give and take is the norm – both parties expect to benefit emotionally, and perhaps in other ways.
So, when clients invite me to birthday parties, weddings. etc., or suggest meeting for dinner, I must decline, however regretfully. I say regretfully because clients drawn to EFT tend to be the kind of folks I like – mature, interesting, and willing to confront their demons in non-traditional ways.
