Foundation for good practice: guidelines for therapists

Walker, Dawn-Marie and Strickland, J. (2006) Foundation for good practice: guidelines for therapists. [in special issue: Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies] Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 11, supplement 1, 51-51. (doi:10.1111/j.2042-7166.2006.tb04800.x).

Abstract

Objective: Since the House of Lords report (2000) and the ensuing Smallwood report (2005) there has been growing requests for regulation of CAM to protect both the public from poor care and the therapist from bad press. Much of the regulation amongst CAM therapies is self-regulation. The present paper helps to provide guidance to support those practising therapies not yet having rigorous professional guidelines and aims to provide a resource for therapists to develop standards of conduct in their practice and develop practical and efficient methods for self regulation.

Materials & Methods: A document has been developed (to be published) based on the work of the Healer Foundation Professional and Practice Development Group. It is based on appraisal, review and comparison of guidelines already in existence, across established CAM therapies, nursing and allied health professions, together with a review of the legal framework under which all therapists work, interviews with both the non-established and established CAM therapies. Finally a draft of the document was sent out for consultation and additions

Results: Each section of the guidelines will be discussed: 1. The rights of the client and the therapist; 2. The therapeutic process; 3. The prevention of abuse; 4. Documentation; 5. Supervision, and 6. Continual personal development

Conclusion: It is hoped that the guidelines will help CAM therapists, healers and associations in the regulation and development of safe and effective practice of the CAM therapies

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Contributors

Author: Dawn-Marie Walker

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