Effective Practices for Therapeutic Relationships (ASMT400)

Required Reading: Ethics in Energy Medicine by Heidi Light

Materials to Bring: Standard yoga props (2 blocks, blankets, bolsters)

Course Overview

This course defines and strengthens the foundational skills of the therapeutic relationship — how to observe, adapt, and support the care-seeker's process and progress. Students learn to recognize and navigate the obstacles that arise in healing relationships while building competency in ethical scope, referrals, and professional communication.

Grounded in the principle of Sva Acharya — leading by the example of the self — this course holds that our effectiveness as yoga therapists is inseparable from the quality of our own inner life. We do not take care-seekers farther than we ourselves have been willing to go. Svadhyaya (self-study) is not preparation for the work. It is the work.

ALL STUDENTS - CAPSTONE PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Choose a real or hypothetical client scenario in which ethical considerations are clearly present. This may draw from your PSYCH400–402 work or be a new scenario.

2. Outline a 20–30 minute yoga therapy session plan demonstrating:

• Clear, maintained boundaries throughout — what does professional integrity look like in the room?
• Explicit consent procedures — verbal, non-verbal, and written where appropriate — integrated naturally, not as a checklist
• Inclusive and culturally respectful language — following the principles from Chapter 4 of the Effective Practices manual
• Practices that reflect your integration across the full pillar — guna assessment, trauma sensitivity, recovery awareness

3. Write a 1–2 page reflection covering:

• The ethical issues present in your scenario — named specifically, not generally
• How you addressed each issue in your session design and delivery
• How you would adapt if the situation evolved, boundaries were challenged, or the care-seeker's needs shifted unexpectedly — demonstrating the 'D' (Dealing) dimension of the HOLD framework
• At least one area of ongoing ethical learning you intend to pursue, grounded in your Svadhyaya self-study from the opening of the course

4. Upload your completed session plan and reflection via the Pillar Project Template Form link.