The Ethics of Touch
Home Study Course Series

This course introduces the issues relevant to working with trauma clients. It does not train the practitioner in how to work with survivors, rather it brings awareness.

The Special Considerations in Cases of Trauma Overview course includes reading chapter One and Eight of The Ethics of Touch and answering 20 test questions.

It meets the NCBTMB 2-hour continuing education requirement for Ethics Standard V: Roles and Boundaries.

The undertaking of a course of any type of touch therapy is a journey of courage for both the survivor and the practitioner. It places many demands on both the client's and the practitioner's resources. Certain prerequisites are essential, and others are very helpful, in preparing the practitioner and the client in their work together.

The Prerequisites for Working with Survivors course includes reading chapter One and Eight of The Ethics of Touch and responding to ten short answer questions.

It meets the NCBTMB 2-hour continuing education requirement for Ethics Standard V: Roles and Boundaries.

When performed responsibly at the appropriate stage of the client's healing and with care and sensitivity, body therapy can be an important healing force in a client's life. Bodywork offers survivors a new and non-abusive way of being in touch with their bodies, to discover how their bodies feel and to discern their general level of health. This course introduces the benefits of bodywork specific to trauma and abuse survivors.

The Benefits of Hands-on Therapies for Trauma and Abuse Survivors course includes reading chapters One and Seven of The Ethics of Touch, responding to nine short answer questions and completing a project on the impact of receiving non-sexual touch.

It satisfies the NCBTMB general 4-hour ethics requirements and also meets the 2-hour continuing education requirement for Ethics Standard V: Roles and Boundaries.

On the average one of every five clients a practitioner sees has a history of some kind of trauma or abuse. Whether or not you are aware of it, in a large percentage of your sessions the client in your treatment room may be a survivor. Even the client might not know it. To avoid ethical complications every practitioner who uses touch needs basic knowledge about trauma and abuse survivors and a clear protocol for working with these particular clients.

The course does not train the practitioner in how to work with survivors. Rather it brings awareness to the situation and assists the practitioner in responding appropriately. We highly recommend that the practitioner interested in working with trauma and abuse survivors receive formal professional training.

The Understanding Trauma and Abuse course includes reading chapters One and Seven of The Ethics of Touch, responding to 12 short answer questions and interviewing a psychotherapist about determining the eligibility of a trauma or abuse survivor to receive hands-on therapy.

It satisfies the NCBTMB general 4-hour ethics requirements and also meets the 2-hour continuing education requirement for Ethics Standard V: Roles and Boundaries.