Ethics Infrastructure Introduction
[Organization Name] Ethics Infrastructure Introduction
I: Introduction to [Organization Name] Ethics Infrastructure
Welcome to the [Organization Name] Ethics Infrastructure, a series of cornerstone documents representing our commitment to practicing ethical excellence in psychedelic care
At the [Organization Name], we recognize our profound responsibility in providing education and facilitating transformative experiences that honor the dignity, safety, and well-being of all individuals we serve. This infrastructure is one that is evolving and that inspires us and holds us accountable to our vision, mission and values (see Appendix B) It is informed by insights from various professional codes of ethics, detailed recommendations from a team of ethicists and consultants, [Organization Name]’s Board, leadership, and staff, and the collective wisdom of our diverse community Additionally, it is shaped by the unique context in which [Organization Name] operates and the ongoing development of the field of psychedelic-assisted research and services, reflecting our specific challenges, opportunities, and aspirations in the realm of psychedelic services
II. Overview of Infrastructure Design
The Ethics Infrastructure is designed as follows, and an Ethics Committee and Independent Oversight Body oversee its evolution
1) A Code of Ethics [add link] outlines our values, commitments, principles, and the role of the Ethics Committee This document is intended to guide the behavior and decision-making of all members within the organization, supporting an alignment of values and principles in their actions and [Organization Name]’s broader objectives of promoting healing and understanding It serves as a blueprint for navigating complex ethical landscapes with wisdom, compassion, and accountability.
2) The Codes of Conduct for Guides [add link] makes the ethical principles and commitments described in the Code of Ethics concrete in agreements The code of conduct outlines specific policies for ethical conduct by [Organization Name] employed and certified guides focused on the ethical responsibilities of guides to their clients, including prioritizing client safety, recognizing the profound nature of psychedelic experiences, maintaining ethical standards and boundaries, and fostering a robust guiding container Additionally, the Code of Conduct provides policies about the ethical responsibilities of guides to their peers and the profession and the ethical responsibilities of guides to themselves
3) The Code of Conduct for [Organization Name] Stakeholders [add link] applies to Program Staff, Employees, the Board of Directors, the Ethics Committee, and others in the [Organization Name] community who can affect the well-being of those we serve
These individuals are responsible for promoting safety and adhering to high ethical standards, protecting the welfare of program participants, apprentices, and those they will serve, [Organization Name] as an organization, and being considerate of the welfare of the entire field of psychedelics care. This code requires a signature by stakeholders. Failure to adhere to this Code may result in a termination of the contractual arrangement with [Organization Name]
4) Our Grievance and Transformative Justice Policy and Protocol [add link] (“GTJPP”) outlines our protocol for handling reports of ethical breaches, investigation protocols, and details for a Transformative Justice process designed to address conflicts and harms that occur under [Organization Name]'s purview. This is done through a holistic and transformative approach, emphasizing healing, accountability, and reconciliation when it is desired, and to address the conditions that give rise to harm It operates on the Transformative Justice principle that every person in a system with conflict or harm can transform and heal
5) The Ethical Principles into Organizational Practice Matrix [add link] is a tool that supports the [Organization Name] in planning and reporting its activities so that its proclaimed ethical principles are represented by actual practice at the organizational level. These activities include what the [Organization Name] spends its time and efforts on, how it makes decisions, and how it cares for its staff and stakeholders, all in service to its mission
6) The Guide Certification and Supervision Requirements Overview [add link] outlines the requirements by which a [Organization Name] apprentice may become a certified [Organization Name] guide It outlines supervision, continuing education, and other requirements for maintaining their certification, which are ongoing via a renewal process. With these requirements in place, guides are supported in navigating ethical tensions or challenges they may encounter with skill and integrity and are kept accountable for the ongoing development of their craft
7) The Public Certified Guide Database [add link] is a public database of all [Organization Name]-certified guides that will be maintained in a timely manner. This database will include information about a guide's practice, the jurisdictions in which they function and related licensure, and their current certification status and ethical standing If a guide has their certification removed due to an ethical breach of [Organization Name]’s Code of Conduct, the database will note this and give a brief explanation of the nature of the breach and the reason for the removal of the guide's certification.
8) A Glossary [add link] creates a shared understanding of terms used throughout the [Organization Name] Ethics Infrastructure documents
The Ethics Committee guides [Organization Name] in its mission to maintain ethical excellence in all its endeavors Its primary objectives include advising on ethical practices, reviewing policies, fostering ethical culture, handling ethical queries and conflicts, and engaging with stakeholders to ensure transparency and trust The Committee helps to ensure that the [Organization Name]'s operations and activities adhere to the organization's ethical principles and foster an environment where ethical decision-making is at the core of organizational practices
The Ethics Committee is supported by an Independent Oversight Body (IOB), which oversees the Ethics Committee for its effectiveness and accountability to its values and charter
III. Ethics Committee and Governance Documents
1 Ethics Committee Charter [add link]: The Ethics Committee Charter outlines the structure, responsibilities, and operating procedures of the [Organization Name]'s Ethics Committee. It details the committee's composition, its roles in policy review, advisory functions, ethical oversight, and the processes for ethical deliberation and decision-making It outlines its interactions with the [Organization Name] board, leadership, staff, and stakeholders and how an Independent Oversight Committee independently oversees it This charter serves as a foundational framework, ensuring that the Ethics Committee operates effectively to uphold and advance the organization's ethical standards.
2. Independent Oversight Body [add link]: The Independent Oversight Body body will serve as a bridge and balance between [Organization Name]’s Board of Directors and the Ethics Committee, providing a framework for oversight of the Ethics Committee for its effectiveness and accountability to its values and charter while remaining independent from influence by the [Organization Name] Board of Directors and leadership.
IV. Conclusion
We invite all stakeholders practitioners, clients, researchers, community members, and partners to engage with this Ethics Infrastructure, reflect on its principles, and contribute to its ongoing evolution. Through collective commitment to these ethical standards, we strive to nurture an organization with ethics at its foundation and infused into its activities fostering an environment where healing, growth, and transformation can flourish.
Our goal is that the [Organization Name]s Ethics Infrastructure promotes ethical clarity and inspiration, and supports a future where the transformative potential of psychedelics is realized with the utmost respect for the dignity and variety of human experience
Appendix A: Quick Links and Resources
Here one can navigate directly to the various documents that make up the Ethics Infrastructure as well as resources that are described and linked in throughout the documents.
Documents:
Ethics Committee Charter [add link]
Independent Oversight Body [add link] Code of Ethics [add link]
Codes of Conduct for Guides [add link]
Code of Conduct for [Organization Name] Stakeholders [add link]
Grievance and Transformative Justice Policy and Protocol [add link]
Ethical Principles into Organizational Practice Matrix [add link]
Guide Certification and Supervision Requirements Overview [add link]
Public Certified Guide Database [add link]
Glossary [add link]
Resources:
[Organization Name] website [add link]
Grievance reporting form on website [add link]
Ethics Casebook on website [add link]
Ethical Distress and Resource page on website [add link]
Appendix B: [Organization Name]’s Vision, Mission, Values
[Organization Name]'s ethical infrastructure is intrinsically linked to our overarching vision, mission, and core values These foundational elements guide our actions and decisions in educating about and providing psychedelic care.
Vision
[Organization vision statement]
Mission
[Organization mission statement]
Values
1. Integrity: We commit to high ethical standards, helping ensure that our practices are transparent, accountable, and respectful of all individuals' dignity
2. Compassion: Our work is centered on a deep empathy for the complexity of the human experience, which guides our approach to care and interaction within our community
3 Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in everything we do, from training our practitioners to providing direct care. We ensure that our services are as efficacious and evidence-based as possible, and continuously evolving
4 Experience affirming: We recognize individuals' diverse paths and backgrounds and foster an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and integrated.
5 Transformation: We embrace the potential of psychedelic services to transform lives and the collective and we commit to advancing the field through research, education, and thoughtful practice.
[Organization Name] is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on education and advancing the safe, ethical, and legal practices of psychedelic-assisted services .