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Approved WABA Standards of Practice
Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA), which registers WATSU practitioners, has formally adopted the WABA Standards of Practice at the March 2005 Board Meeting. WABA acknowledges the NCBTMB for permission to use portions of content and elements of format of National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Standard of Practice to develop WABA’s Standard of Practice.
Background
The mission of the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA) is to foster high standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of services through a recognized credible credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of aquatic bodywork.
WABA developed the Standards of Practice to ensure that practitioners who have attained the credential, WATSU practitioner, are aware of the existence of high standards of practice for the profession and are committed to upholding those standards. Also, the Standards of Practice are meant to assist members of the general public, including consumers, other health care professionals, and State and Municipal Regulatory Agencies or Boards with understanding the duties and responsibilities of WATSU practitioners.
WABA accepted and adopted the Standards of Practice to provide practitioners with a clear statement of the expectations of professional conduct and level of practice afforded the public in, among other things, the following areas: Professionalism, Legal and Ethical Requirements, Confidentiality, Business Practices, Roles and Boundaries, and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct.
Preamble
These Standards of Practice for the aquatic bodywork profession are the guiding principles by which practitioners conduct their day-to-day responsibilities within their scope of practice. These principles assure that all professional behaviors are conducted in the most ethical, compassionate, and responsible manner. Through these Standards of Practice, WABA seeks to establish and uphold the highest standards, traditions, and principles of the practices that constitute the profession of aquatic bodywork. The Standards are statements of enforceable guidelines for professional conduct. The Standards are stated in observable and measurable terms and are intended as minimum levels of practice to which each practitioner is held accountable. Upon submission of the application as a practitioner, each applicant must agree to uphold and abide by the WABA Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and applicable policies. The practitioners failure to comply with the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice as provided herein constitutes professional misconduct and may result in sanctions, or other appropriate disciplinary actions, including the suspension or termination of registration.
These Standards of Practice reflect WABA’s clear commitment to assuring that WATSU practitioners provide an optimal level of service and strive for excellence in their practice. This includes remaining in good standing with WABA, making a commitment, without limitation, to continued personal and professional growth through self-assessment and continuing education, seeking support from peers and experienced professionals to provide optimal service to themselves and others, serving as a mentor, and understanding and accepting that personal and professional actions reflect on the integrity of the aquatic bodywork profession and WABA. Each practitioner is responsible for showing and maintaining professional compliance with the Standards of Practice. As the aquatic bodywork profession evolves, so, too, will the Standards of Practice. The Standards of Practice are, therefore, a live and dynamic document and subject to revision in keeping with the changing demands and expectations of the aquatic bodywork profession).
WABA Standards of Practice
Standard I: Professionalism
The practitioner must provide optimal levels of professional aquatic bodywork services and demonstrate excellence in practice by promoting healing and well-being through responsible, compassionate and respectful touch. In his/her professional role the practitioner shall:
a) adhere to the WABA Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures
b) comply with the peer review process conducted by the WABA Ethics Advisory Committee regarding any alleged violations against the WABA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
c) conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals
d) treat each client with respect, dignity and worth
e) use professional verbal, nonverbal and written communications
f) provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety
g) use standard precautions to insure professional hygienic practices and maintain a level of personal hygiene appropriate for practitioners in the therapeutic setting
h) acknowledge the clients right to choose their apparel for a session such that their safety, comfort and privacy is respected, within the requirements of the facility and practitioner's comfort.
i) obtain voluntary and informed consent from the client prior to initiating the session
j) if applicable, conduct an accurate needs assessment, develop a plan of care with the client, and update the plan as needed
k) use appropriate apparel to protect the client’s physical and emotional privacy
l) be knowledgeable of their scope of practice and practice only within these limitations
m) refer to other professionals when in the best interest of the client and/or practitioner
n) seek other professional advice when needed
o) respect the traditions and practices of other professionals and foster collegial relationships
p) not falsely impugn the reputation of any colleague
q) use the word WATSU to designate his/her professional ability and competency to practice this form of body work.
r) remain in good standing with and maintain WABA registration
s) understand that the WABA registration may be displayed prominently in the practitioners principal place of practice
t) when using the WABA/WATSU logo and registration number on business cards, brochures, advertisements, and stationery, doing so only in a manner that is within established WABA guidelines
v) immediately discontinue promoting any affiliation with WABA if your WABA registration is revoked or suspended.
Standard II: Legal and Ethical Requirements
The practitioner must comply with all the legal requirements in applicable jurisdictions regulating the profession of aquatic bodywork. In his/her professional role the practitioner shall:
a) obey all applicable local, state, and federal laws
b) refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory, or unethical actions
c) accept responsibility for their own actions
d) report to the proper authorities any alleged violations of the law by other practitioners
e) maintain accurate and truthful records
f) report to WABA any criminal convictions regarding him/herself and other practitioners
g) report to WABA any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to his/her professional practice and the professional practice of other practitioners
h) respect existing publishing rights and copyright laws.
Standard III: Confidentiality
The practitioner shall respect the confidentiality of client information and safeguard all records. In his/her professional role the practitioner shall:
a) protect the client’s identity in social conversations, all advertisements, and any and all other manners unless requested by the client in writing, medically necessary, or required by law
b) protect the interests of clients who are minors or who are unable to give voluntary consent by securing permission from an appropriate third party or guardian
c) solicit only information that is relevant to the professional client/therapist relationship
d) share pertinent information about the client with third parties when required by law
e) maintain the client files for a minimum period of four years
f) store and dispose of client files in a secure manner.
Standard IV: Business Practices
The practitioner shall practice with honesty, integrity, and lawfulness in the business of massage and bodywork. In his/her professional role the practitioner shall:
a) provide a physical setting that is safe and meets all applicable legal requirements for health and safety
b) maintain adequate and customary liability insurance
c) maintain adequate progress notes for each client session, if applicable
d) accurately and truthfully inform the public of services provided
e) honestly represent all professional qualifications and affiliations
f) promote his/her business with integrity and avoid potential and actual conflicts of interest
g) advertise in a manner that is honest, dignified, and representative of services that can be delivered and remains consistent with the WABA Code of Ethics
h) advertise in a manner that is not misleading to the public by, among other things, the use of sensational, sexual or provocative language and/or pictures to promote business
i) comply with all laws regarding sexual harassment
j) not exploit the trust and dependency of others, including clients and employees/co-workers
k) display/discuss schedule of fees in advance of the session that are clearly understood by the client or potential client
l) make financial arrangements in advance that are clearly understood by and safeguard the best interests of the client or consumer
m) follow acceptable accounting practices
n) file all applicable municipal, state and federal taxes
o) maintain accurate financial records, contracts and legal obligations, appointment records, tax reports and receipts for at least four years.
Standard V: Roles and Boundaries
The practitioner shall adhere to ethical boundaries and perform the professional roles designed to protect the client, the practitioner, and safeguard the therapeutic value of the relationship. In his/her professional role the practitioner shall:
a) recognize his/her personal limitations and practice only within these limitations
b) recognize his/her influential position with the client and shall not exploit the relationship for personal or other gain
c) recognize and limit the impact of transference and counter-transference between the client and the practitioners
d) avoid dual or multidimensional relationships that could impair professional judgment or result in exploitation of the client or employees and/or co-workers
e) not engage in any sexual activity with a client
f) acknowledge and respect the client’s freedom of choice in the therapeutic session
g) respect the client’s right to refuse the therapeutic session
h) refrain from practicing under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances (with the exception of prescribed dosage of prescription medication which does not significantly impair the practitioner)
i) have the right to refuse and/or terminate the service to a client who is abusive or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substance.
Standard VI: Prevention of Sexual Misconduct
The practitioner shall refrain from any behavior that sexualizes, or appears to sexualize, the client/therapist relationship. The practitioner recognizes that the intimacy of the therapeutic relationship may activate practitioner and/or client needs and/or desires that weaken objectivity and may lead to sexualizing the therapeutic relationship. In his/her professional role the practitioner shall:
a) Avoid entering into significant dual relationships with clients or students for a reasonable amount of time (for example, 30 to 180 days) after terminating the professional relationship.
b) in the event that the client initiates sexual behavior, clarify the purpose of the therapeutic session, and, if such conduct does not cease, terminate or refuse the session
c) recognize that sexual activity with clients, students, employees, supervisors, or trainees is prohibited even if consensual
d) not touch the genitalia
e) only provide therapeutic breast massage as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary consent from the client.
Glossary of Terms Used in This Document
Acceptable Accounting Procedures: Rules, conventions, standards, and procedures that are widely accepted among financial accountants.
Boundary: "Boundaries separate humans from their environment and from other humans. They are elusive yet personally discernable lines that distinguish you from everyone around you. They define your personal space." Cherie Sonen-Moe
Competency: Study and development of a particular professional knowledge base and skills associated with and applied in practice within that knowledge base.
Counter-Transference: A practitioner’s unresolved feelings and issues that are unconsciously transferred to the client.
Dignity: The quality or state of being worthy, honored or esteemed.
Dual Relationships: An alliance in addition to the client/therapist relationship, such as social, familial, business or any other relationship that is outside the therapeutic relationship.
Genitalia, Female: Labia major, labia minor, clitoris and vaginal orifice.
Genitalia, Male: Testes, penis and scrotum.
Impugn: To assail by words or arguments, oppose or attack as false.
Integrity: Honesty. Firm adherence to a code of values.
Multi-dimensional Relationships: Overlapping relationships in which therapist and client share an alliance, in addition to the therapeutic relationship. Multi-dimensional relationships suggest a more complex interweaving of roles.
Power differential: "Power differential is inherent in any therapeutic relationship. There is an implicit acknowledgment that the practitioner has more knowledge in the area than the client." Cherie Sonen-Moe
Progress Notes: Notes written (such as SOAP notes) by a practitioner certified by WABA, and kept in a separate client file that indicates the date of the session, areas of complaint as stated by client, and observations made and actions taken by the practitioner.
Sexual Activity: Any verbal and/or nonverbal behavior for the purpose of soliciting, receiving or giving sexual gratification.
Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment;
2. Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
Scope of Practice: The minimum standards necessary for safe and effective practice and the parameters of practice determined by practitioner, professional training and education, and, when applicable, regulatory bodies such as the individuals governing licensure as regulated by each state.
Supervision: "Clinical supervision provides an opportunity to discuss with a more experienced, psychologically savvy practitioner how best to help a client while promoting increased self-observation and awareness." Cherie Sonen-Moe
Transference: "All the unresolved needs, feelings, and issues that we unconsciously carry with us from our significant childhood relationships (usually parent child) and transfer onto a current relationship, usually one with a perceived power differential. It is a normal unconscious psychological phenomenon that appears during a therapeutic process." Cherie Sonen-Moe.
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