ETHICS PROCESS SUMMARY 

ETHICS OVERVIEW
Since our inception, Healing Touch International, Inc. has had an Ethics Committee as a standing committee of the Board of Directors. The Ethics Committee has standards and protocols that have always allowed them to fully investigate any ethical complaint. It is with great care, thoughtful consideration, and with checks and balances that this process is conducted. Throughout the process, the individual is kept informed and given the opportunity to review and respond.

Certification is a privilege that is accorded to those who have met standard criteria and adhere to HTI's Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice Statement and Instructor Guidelines. HTI implements actions necessary to address any infractions of these codes and guidelines. Failure to comply with recommended actions will result in revocation of an individual's certification.

It is the duty of Healing Touch International, Inc. to uphold our standards in order to safeguard the public while protecting the character of all Certified Healing Touch Practitioners and Instructors.

ETHICS COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Healing Touch International, Inc. (HTI) Ethics Committee is to provide a mechanism for review of complaints regarding practitioners and instructors of Healing Touch. The Ethics Committee is a standing committee of the Healing Touch International, Inc. Board of Directors. The committee has appointed members with educational background and/or experience in ethics.

Healing Touch International, Inc. has approved Standards of Practice, Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Instructor Guidelines that are utilized as the criteria to review and investigate formal complaint(s).

ETHICS COMMITTEE PROCESS
All complaints or concerns must be received in writing prior to consideration by the HTI Ethics Committee. Upon receipt of a complaint(s) or concern(s) regarding the professional conduct or practice of a student, practitioner, or instructor:

1. All matters are confidential and only HTI Ethics Committee and HTI board members have access to this material in order to protect the individual under investigation and those who have been potentially harmed.
2. The Ethics Committee conducts a preliminary review of the complaint(s) and if there is deemed sufficient risk to the public, if certified, the individual's certification(s) is placed under immediate temporary suspension.
3. The individual is immediately informed by certified letter that a formal complaint has been received regarding any ethical breaches by the individual, and is notified of any action of suspension that is immediately taken.
4. The individual is given the opportunity to respond in various phases of the process.
5. The matter is then investigated fully and reviewed by the Ethics Committee.  The committee heartfully deliberates all aspects of the case and takes into consideration the severity of the complaints, the potential risks to the public, the potential for rehabilitation or remediation.
6. Recommended action(s) are determined by the appropriate committees and boards.
7. The individual is informed by certified mail of these recommendations and actions taken by Healing Touch International, Inc.