Vibrational Sound Association Code of Conduct & Ethics
As a member of the Vibrational Sound Associations (VSA), I pledge my commitment to the highest principles of the vibrational sound therapy profession as outlined here:
If any of the conduct or ethical terms defined or undefined voted on by the board hvae been violated, any information reported is falsified, or if requirements for licensure have not been met, I understand that my Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) license may be suspended or revoked.
A suspended Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) license means that the practitioner's privileges associated with being a licensed Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) vibrational sound therapist are temporarily disabled. I understand that although I may seek reinstatement, while suspended I'm legally prohibited from practicing sound therapy as a Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) licensed representative.
A revocation of a Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) vibrational sound therapist license means that my privileges are permanently seized and that an appeal is required before I can be considered for reinstatement.
- Commitment to Do No Harm - I will conduct a thorough intake process for each client and evaluate the provided health history to rule out contraindications or determine appropriate session adaptations. If I see signs of or suspect an undiagnosed condition that vibrational sound therapy may be inappropriate for, I will refer that client to a physician or other qualified health-care professional and delay the session until approval from the physician has been granted. I understand the importance of ethical practice and therapeutic instant and will conduct sessions with the sole objective of benefitting the client.
- Bartering - I understand that bartering for professional services may be conducted only if: (a) the agreement is mutual (b) the relationship is not exploitaitive (c) the professional relationship is not distorted and (d) a clear written contract is established
- Commitment to Non-Discrimination - I will provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination on the bases if race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.
- Commitment to Confidentiality - I will not disclose client confidences except by written authorization or waiver or where mandated or permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient except in emergency siuations, unless prohibited by law. I will not reveal any individual's confidences to others without the prior written consent of that individual. I will respect the client's boundaries regarding privacy, disclosure, exposure, emotional expression, beliefs, and the client's reasonable expectations of professional behavior. I will also respect the client's autonomy.
- Commitment to Accessibility - I will make every effort to provide an accessible environment for all clients. This includes making reasonable accommodations for those with physical challenges. A resonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment that will enable a client with a disability to safely participate in vibrational sound therapy.
- Contraindications - I can exercise the right to refuse to treat any person or part of the body for just and reasonable cause. I will inform clients of possible contraindications before any session. A contraindication is a condition which makes a treatment or procedure potentially inadvisable. A contraindication may be absolute or relative.
- Disclosure of Financial Policies
- General - Prior to entering into the therapeutic or supervisory relationship, I will clearly disclose and explain to clients and supervisees (a) all financial arrangements and fees related to professional services, including charges for sliding scale, canceled or missed appointments; (b) the use of collection agencies or legal measures for nonpayment; and (c) the procedure for obtaining payment from the client, to the extent allowed by law, if payment is denied by the third-party-payor. Once services have begun, I will provide reasonable notice (i.e. 30-90 days) of any changes in fees or other charges. Fee-for-service arrangements are permitted.j
- Financial Impropriety - The Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) prohibits fraud and financial impropriety, as defined below, in the actions of its Board members, employees, vendors, contractors, consultants, volunteers, and others seeking or maintaining a business relationship with the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA). Fraud and financial impropriety shall include, but is not limited to the following:
- Forgery or unauthorized alteration of a document or account belonging to the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA)
- Forgery of any unauthorized alteration of a check, bank draft, or any other financial document
- Misappropriation of funds, securities, supplies, or other Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) assets, including employee time.
- Impropriety in the handling of money or reporting of Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) financial transactions
- Profiteering as a result of insider knowledge of Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) information or activities
- Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) information to any unauthorized individual or organization
- Unauthorized disclosure of investment activities engaged in or contemplated by the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA)
- Accepting or seeking anything of material value from contractors, vendors, or other persons providing services or materials to the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) except otherwise permitted by law or Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) policy
- Inappropriately destroying, removing, or using Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) records, furniture, fixtures, or equipment
- Failure to provide financial records provided by state or local entities
- Failure to disclose conflicts of interest as required by law or Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) policy
- Disposing of Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) property for personal gain or benefit
- Any other dishonest act regarding the finances of the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA)
- Forgery or unauthorized alteration of a document or account belonging to the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA)
- Notice of Payment Recovery Procedures - I must give reasonable notice to clients with unpaid balances of my intent to seek collection by agency or legal recourse. When such action is taken, I will not disclose clinical information
- Payment for Supervision & Consultation - When providing clinical supervision, I shall not enter financial arrangements with supervisees through deceptive or exploitative practices, nor shall I provide consultation or exert undue influence over supervisees when establishing supervision fees. Additionally, I will not engage in other exploitative practices of supervisees.
- Conflicts of Interest - I will not provide services that create a conflict of interest that may impair work performance of judgment.
- Withholding Records for Non-Payment - I will not withhold records under my immediate control that are requested and needed for a client's treatment solely because payment has not been received for past services
- General - Prior to entering into the therapeutic or supervisory relationship, I will clearly disclose and explain to clients and supervisees (a) all financial arrangements and fees related to professional services, including charges for sliding scale, canceled or missed appointments; (b) the use of collection agencies or legal measures for nonpayment; and (c) the procedure for obtaining payment from the client, to the extent allowed by law, if payment is denied by the third-party-payor. Once services have begun, I will provide reasonable notice (i.e. 30-90 days) of any changes in fees or other charges. Fee-for-service arrangements are permitted.j
- Draping - I will provide draping and treatment in a way that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client
- Ethical Decision-Making - Both law and ethics govern the practice of Vibrational Sound Therapy. When making decisions regarding professional behavior, I must consider the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) Code of Conduct & Ethics and applicable laws and regulations. If the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) Code of Conduct & Ethics prescribes a standard higher than that required by law, then I must meet the higher standard of the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) Code of Conduct & Ethics. I must comply with the mandates of law, but make known my commitment to the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) Code of Conduct & Ethics and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner.
- Exploiting the Power Differential - I understand what it means to overstep the use of power, such as with inappropriate touch or behavior. Other times, however, the overuse of power is more subtle, like being late for a client's appointment or not listening to a client's concerns and questions. Underuse of power can also be just as damaging to the therapeutic relationship. Some examples include not having established practice policies or failing to directly establish bouncaries when working with clients, or being able to quickly and properly address conflict. A healthy client-practitioner relationship is not equal, but balanced. Before beginning a session with any new client, I will clearly state who I am, how I work, and what my practice policies are. Additionally, I will create guidelines for the session and explain all client responsibilities in this professional relationship: i.e. pay at the time of service, arrive on time, disclose any potential contraindications
- Gifts - I will attend to cultural norms when considering whether to accept gifts from or give gifts to clients. I will consider the potential effects that receiving or giving gifts may have on clients and on the integrity and efficacy of the professional therapeutic relationship. I will refuse any gifts or benefits that are intended to influence a referral, decision or treatment, or that are purely for personal gain and not for the good of the client
- Inappropriate Marketing - I will refrain from inappropriate marketing, including misrepresentation of the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) which includes photos. Advertising is regulated by both federal and state law. Under the law, an ad is unlawful if it tends to mislead or deceive. I will make sure that all marketing is factually correct and that it does not deceive or mislead the buying public. I will be truthful about thwat clients can expect from all sessions. I will not use written or photographic material that I do not own or have created without the written permission of the owner. I will abide by federal copyright laws.
- Informed Consent - I will respect the client's right to treatment with informed and voluntary consent; obtaining and recording the informed consent of the client, or the client's advocate, before providing any treatment. This consent must be written. I will obtain appropriate informed consent to vibrational sound therapy or related procedures and use language that is reasonably understandable to clients. When persons due to age or mental status are legally incapable of giving informed consent, I will obtain informed permission from a legally authorized person, if such substitute consent is legally permissible. The content of informed consent may vary depending upon the client and treatment plan; however, informed consent generally necessitates that the client (a) has the capacity to consent; (b) has been adequately informed of significant information concerning treatment processes and procedures; (c) has been adequately informed of potential risks and benefits of treatments for which generally recognized standards do not yet exist; (d) has freely and without undue influence expressed consent; and (e) has provided consent that is appropriately documented
- Maintenance of Records - I will maintain accurate and adequate SOAP notes andfinancial records in accordance with applicable law.
- Professional Misconduct - I understand that I may be subject to termination of membership or other appropriate action if: (a) I am convicted of any felony; (b) I am convicted of a misdemeanor related to their qualifications or functions; (c) I engage in conduct whcih could lead to conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor related to my qualifications or functions; (d) I am expelled from or disciplined by other professional organizations; (e) my licenses or certificates are suspended or revoked or are otherwise disciplined by regulatory bodies; (f) I continue to practice vibrational sound therapy while no longer competent to do so becuase I am impaired by physical or mental cuases or the abuse of alcohol or other substances; or (g) I fail to cooperate with the Association at ny point from the inception of an ethical complaint through the completion of all proceedings regarding that complaint. Additionally, I will not engage in the exploitation of clients, students, trainees, supervisees, employees, colleagues, or research subjects.
- Protection of Record - I will store, safeguard, and dispose of client records in ways that maintain confidentiality and in accord with applicable laws and professional standards. I will check with my state for the up-to-date record retention period.
- Scope of Practice - Honest Representation of Qualifications - I will:
- Not work outside the commonly accepted scope of practice for VST professionals
- Adhere to one's state's scope of practice guidelines (when applicable).
- Only provide treatments and techniques for which I am fully trained and hold credible credentials.
- Carefully evaluate the needs of each client and refer the client to another provider if the client requires work beyond my capabilities, or beyond the capacity of vibrational sound therapy
- Not use the trademarks and symbols associated with the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) without authentic affiliation
- Acknowledge the limitations of Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) by refraining from exaggerating the benefits of Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) and related services throughout all business marketing
- Not work outside the commonly accepted scope of practice for VST professionals
- Seeking Consultation - If I am uncertain about the ethics or standard of practice about a particular course of action, I am encouraged to seek counsel from consultants, attorneys, supervisors, colleagues, or other appropriate authorities
- Terminating Treatment - I will respect the client's right to refuse, modify or terminate the treatment regardless of prior consent given
- Violation of Laws - I will not violate any city, municipality, or state regulations in regard to practicing vibrational sound therapy out of my home
If any of the conduct or ethical terms defined or undefined voted on by the board hvae been violated, any information reported is falsified, or if requirements for licensure have not been met, I understand that my Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) license may be suspended or revoked.
A suspended Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) license means that the practitioner's privileges associated with being a licensed Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) vibrational sound therapist are temporarily disabled. I understand that although I may seek reinstatement, while suspended I'm legally prohibited from practicing sound therapy as a Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) licensed representative.
A revocation of a Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) vibrational sound therapist license means that my privileges are permanently seized and that an appeal is required before I can be considered for reinstatement.
Signature Statement:
I certify that to the best of my knowledge the information submitted here is correct. I realize that any willful falsification of facts could make me ineligible for licensure with the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA). If I am licensed, I understand and agree that the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) may rescind my license at any time in the event that I should engage in conduct or behavior which, in the Vibrational Sound Association Licensing Board’s judgment, would constitute a violation of Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) ethics and standards.
Copyright December 31, 2020
Vibrational Sound Association Board. Signature Statement. All Rights Reserved.
I certify that to the best of my knowledge the information submitted here is correct. I realize that any willful falsification of facts could make me ineligible for licensure with the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA). If I am licensed, I understand and agree that the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) may rescind my license at any time in the event that I should engage in conduct or behavior which, in the Vibrational Sound Association Licensing Board’s judgment, would constitute a violation of Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) ethics and standards.
Copyright December 31, 2020
Vibrational Sound Association Board. Signature Statement. All Rights Reserved.
