The Foundation for Shamanic Studies is dedicated to the preservation, study, and teaching of shamanic knowledge for the welfare of the Planet and its inhabitants. In its training programs and work, the Foundation teaches and promotes only the positive, life-enhancing, and healing uses of shamanic knowledge.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Shamanic healers and practitioners of shamanic divination, please consider carefully what constitutes the ethical practice of shamanism. While the Foundation does not endorse or promote a specific set of rules, the following writings may help you to form your own guidelines as you study and practice shamanism, shamanic healing, and divination:

• Code of Ethics of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies (PDF)
• Ethical Considerations in Shamanic Healing by Susan Mokelke, JD
• Unified Code of Ethics for Healers. The Council for Healing is a network of individual healers and healing organizations whose mission is to promote understanding of healing and advance access to healing.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS¹

In the US, many state and local governments have legal requirements for the practice of complementary and alternative (CAM) disciplines. In addition, there may be other legal requirements outside of CAM that potentially apply to shamanic healing and shamanic divination.

Each shamanic healer/practitioner is responsible for knowing and meeting any legal requirements in his or her state or locality.²

In recent years, in the area of CAM practices, many public organizations at the state and national level have been established to promote legislation ensuring the individual’s right to access CAM practices. The National Health Freedom Coalition (NHFC) is one such organization whose mission is: “To promote access to all health care information, services, treatments and products that the people deem beneficial for their own health and survival; to promote an understanding of the laws and factors impacting the right to access; and to promote the health of the people of this nation.” Under the auspices of the NHFC, many state organizations have been created to promote health freedom legislation.

For example, in California specific legislation (SB 577 - Bus. & Prof. Code 2053.5, 2053.6) has been enacted, which recognizes the professional legitimacy of alternative and complementary health care practitioners and healers, allowing them to be able to legally provide and advertise their services in California. The sponsors of the legislation, California Health Freedom Coalition, provide detailed information as well as a template for a Disclosure Form that CAM practitioners can modify to meet the California requirements. Visit the website for details and a “Compliance Package” you can download.

The following list of websites will help give you a starting place for finding and understanding legal requirements for practicing shamanism, shamanic healing or divination in your state or locality.

• National Health Freedom Coalition
• The Coalition for Natural Health: including State Legislative Updates.
• Sunshine Health Freedom Foundation
• CAM law blog by Michael H. Cohen, an attorney who practices, writes and teaches about complementary and alternative medicine, law, business, and ethics.
• Blog on Health Freedom information.
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, general information for both practitioners and clients, part of the National Institutes of Health.

1. Disclaimer: The contents of this page are provided for information purposes only as a service to those seeking and practicing shamanic healing or divination. It is not legal advice or counsel. The information contained in this website is provided only as general information, which may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. The Foundation makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information herein and does not endorse or sponsor any linked websites or their content. The Foundation does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice), which is provided on this website or any linked sites or incorporated into it by reference. The information is provided on the basis that all persons accessing the site undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. If you require advice in relation to any legal matter you should consult an appropriately qualified lawyer.

2. Note: Shamanic practitioners who are also psychologists, marriage or family therapists, physicians, naturopaths, massage therapists or other licensed providers should be aware of the scope of practices within these fields and practice accordingly. There may be additional ethical and legal considerations that apply and each practitioner is responsible for knowing and meeting any legal requirements in his or her state or locality.