MAP Coaching Institute Certified Practitioners Code of EthicsÂ
This Code sets out the values, principles, and standards expected of all MAP C.I. Professionals—Certified MAP Practitioners, Coaches, Supervisors, Mentor Coaches, Trainers, Students, and MAP C.I. Staff. It exists to protect clients, honor the coaching profession, and uphold the integrity of the MAP Method™.
1. Introduction
The MAP Coaching Institute (MAP C.I.) Code of Ethics describes the core values, ethical principles, and standards of behavior expected of all MAP C.I. Professionals. These include Certified MAP Practitioners, Coaches, Supervisors, Mentor Coaches, Trainers, and Students—who often serve as educators, guides, and catalysts for MAP-related services.
Why This Code?
- To uphold the integrity and credibility of MAP C.I., the broader coaching profession, and the personal growth journey that everyone undertakes through MAP sessions.
- To ensure the safety and well-being of Clients through a clear set of ethical commitments.
- To provide MAP C.I. Professionals with guidance on professionalism and respect for client autonomy.
This Code applies whenever a MAP C.I. Professional represents themselves as such in any coaching-related interaction. By “walking the talk,” we can awaken ourselves and build trust and model the values we wish to help others learn.
2. Key Definitions
- Client
The individual or team/group being coached, or under mentorship/training. - Coaching
Partnering with Clients in a MAP session, magnetization, or any other thought-provoking, creative process that inspires awakening. - Coaching Relationship
A formal relationship, under an agreement or contract, that defines each party’s responsibilities and expectations during a MAP session or any coaching process. - Code
Refers to this MAP C.I. Code of Ethics. - Confidentiality
Protecting and securing information from coaching engagements unless consent to share is provided or required by law. - Conflict of Interest
Situations in which a MAP C.I. Professional has multiple interests that could harm or compromise objectivity or create mindset barriers like broken agreements, unfinished communications, or unaligned intentions. - Equality
Ensuring opportunity and respect for all, irrespective of belief system, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other differences. - MAP C.I. Professional
Anyone representing themselves as a Certified MAP Practitioner or Coach, including coaches, supervisors, trainers, and students. - MAP C.I. Staff
Personnel contracted by MAP C.I. to provide services on its behalf. - Sponsor
An entity paying for or arranging the coaching services. It can be the Client or someone else. - Support Personnel
Individuals who work for or assist MAP C.I. Professionals in support of their Clients. It can be accountants or personal assistants. - Professionalism
The demonstration of competence, ethical behavior, responsibility, and respect for others in a professional context.
3. MAP C.I. Core Values and Ethical Principles
All MAP C.I. Professionals are expected to embody the following values:
- Respect
Honor the inherent worth and autonomy of every person. - Integrity
Be honest, transparent, and fair in all practices. - Wisdom
Commit to continuous learning, self-care, and professional development. - Compassion
Engage in empathetic listening and create safe, trusting spaces for communication. - Collaboration
Partner with Clients and the MAP C.I to walk the talk, help ourselves, and help clients uncover insights and pathways forward.
These values serve as the foundation for the detailed ethical standards outlined below.
4. Ethical Standards
Section I—Responsibility to Clients
- Clarify & Establish Agreements
- Clarify Nature and Scope: The client is informed of what coaching is (and isn’t), including that MAP sessions do not involve diagnosing, treating, or healing. Instead, the coach supports the client’s natural process of change through MAP sessions. This includes outlining the potential benefits and limitations of coaching.
- Establish Clear Agreements: Ensure all parties understand roles, responsibilities, rights, confidentiality, financial terms (including fees and cancellation policy), and timeframes before coaching begins. Clarify ethical expectations related to the coaching relationship, including boundaries, autonomy, and mutual respect.
- Consent Agreements: Use clear written agreements or disclosures for clients, ensuring they understand the scope, risks, and benefits of MAP. These may include truthful website information aligned with the MAP Coaching Institute or pre-session consent forms as part of an informed disclosure process.
- Confidentiality & Records
- Maintain Confidentiality: Ensure any health or personal information provided by the client—including notes, forms, electronic communications, and recordings—is safeguarded according to legal regulations in your country or region, or as explicitly agreed upon with the client.
- Outline Exceptions: Identify the rare cases where disclosure may be necessary (e.g., imminent harm, court orders).
- Maintain Secure Records: Store or dispose of client data responsibly and in accordance with the law in your country.
- Consent for Session Recordings: If a session is recorded (audio or video), obtain explicit permission from the client. Clarify how recordings will be used, transferred, and securely stored. Ensure that the method of transfer and storage aligns with standard ethical business practices and prioritizes client confidentiality.
- Client Autonomy & Well-Being
- Remain Within Scope of Practice: The MAP Coaching Institute representative only practices within the scope of their coaching certification. If client's needs fall outside that scope, the coach ethically recommends alternative or additional services.
- Honor Power Dynamics: Avoid misuse of influence in the coaching relationship. Stay mindful of cultural, psychological, or contextual differences, and uphold the client’s right to self-determination and autonomy throughout the coaching process.
- Honor the Whole Person: Encourage clients to arrive at their own insights rather than offering prescriptive “fixes.”
- Pause or Reschedule if Rapport is Compromised: If the session environment becomes unproductive (e.g., conflict, severe distress, or the coach is unwell), temporarily pause or reschedule to preserve client well-being unless rapport can be re-established.
- Conflicts of Interest
- Avoid & Disclose Conflicts: Promptly identify and address multiple roles or potential conflicts of interest—such as coaching individuals with whom you have personal, therapeutic, supervisory, or financial ties. Refrain from initiating or continuing romantic or emotionally dependent relationships with clients, as these compromise professional boundaries and objectivity.
- Manage Internal Coaching Conflicts: If coaching within an organization, clearly establish boundaries, clarify reporting lines, and communicate how confidentiality will be maintained. Ensure clients understand how coaching fits within (or remains separate from) organizational performance structures, to avoid role confusion or ethical concerns.
- Fairness & Transparency
- Disclose Referral Benefits: Inform clients if you receive any form of compensation or incentive for making a referral. While referral benefits are not prohibited, ethical transparency is required. Even small benefits—such as service credits, gift cards, or affiliate payments—should be disclosed.
- Provide Consistent Quality: Deliver a uniformly high standard of coaching, regardless of the client’s payment arrangement, background, or access level.
- Productive Environment
- Provide a Safe, Clean Environment: Whether online or in-person, ensure the client’s space is comfortable, secure, and conducive to a professional, respectful session.
- Physical & Emotional Readiness: Refrain from practicing if you are ill, under the influence, or otherwise unable to provide safe, competent service.
Section II—Responsibility to Practice and Performance
- Adherence to the Code
- Abide by the Code: Follow these standards in all coaching activities.
- Address Violations: If you see or commit a potential violation, seek a respectful resolution or, if necessary, escalate to MAP C.I. for a plan on integration and, if that doesn’t resolve it, an Ethics Review with the institute will be applied.
- Professional Scope of Practice
- Respect Licensing Requirements: MAP Method™ can be beneficial for various mental and emotional challenges, but if you lack the relevant license to work with severe conditions (e.g., addictions, suicidal ideation, dissociative disorders, PTSD), refer the client to a qualified professional.
- Support, Not Treatment: For severe mental or physical conditions, refer to a suitably licensed professional or specialist. MAP can complement—but not replace—professional medical treatment.
- Professional Growth & Self-Care
- Commit to Ongoing Development: Pursue continuous education and remain current with MAP Method™ updates and industry best practices.
- Recognize Personal Limitations: If your well-being is compromised, seek help, pause your sessions, or refer clients to another resource.
- Do Your Absolute Best: Treat each session with genuine care, dedication, and integrity. Each client is a unique individual with distinct experiences, hopes, and challenges.
- Support Personnel & Colleague Privacy
- Require Ethical Conduct from Support Personnel: Ensure that assistants or staff adhere to these standards.
- Respect the Privacy of Colleagues: Use member contact information only for authorized professional purposes.
- Practical Commitments
- Preparation: Be on time, be prepared, and prioritize the attention toward the client’s situation above personal agenda.
- Follow-Through: Ensure that clients are informed of resources or support they can access in case they experience discomfort or emotional distress between sessions.
- Deliver MAP Method™ Sessions: Provide sessions aligned with the training and guidelines taught by the MAP Coaching Institute. Substantial deviations from the official methods mean the session can no longer be considered an official MAP session.
- Information Exchange & Data Security
- Define Information Exchange: Agree on how information will be stored or shared during and after the coaching engagement.
- Confidentiality and Data Protection: Ensure that client information is securely stored, transferred, and disposed of in accordance with privacy laws and ethical standards.
Section III—Responsibility to Public Professionalism
- Representation & Statements
- Accurate Representation: Truthfully convey qualifications, experience, and MAP C.I. certifications.
- Truthful Statements: Base claims about your services or coaching outcomes on facts and integrity.
- Understanding Statements: Ensure any statements about others or the Institute are factually correct and, if asked, can be supported by credible sources.
- No Unauthorized Training: Only offer MAP-related training or workshops if sanctioned by MAP C.I.
- Ethical Boundaries & Awareness
- Promote Ethical Awareness: Share or discuss this Code with anyone who needs to understand your ethical parameters.
- Maintain Appropriate Boundaries: Show respect and sensitivity in professional relationships; obtain permission before offering specific advice or material.
- No Sexual or Romantic Engagement: Refrain from sexual or romantic relationships with Clients or Sponsors.
- Collegial Respect: Avoid unnecessary negative, disparaging comments about other MAP professionals, and refrain from soliciting their clients.
- Responsible Online Engagement
- Accuracy and Honesty: Refrain from spreading misinformation, rumors, or false accusations.
- Respectful Discourse: Use language and tone that foster constructive, understanding-based discussions.
- Constructive Participation: Recognize that online behavior reflects on both you and MAP C.I.
Section IV—Responsibility to Society
- Foster Equality & Inclusion: Avoid discrimination and promote fair treatment for all.
- Respect Intellectual Property: Use only your own or appropriately licensed materials, and credit sources.
- Maintain Standards in Research: Adhere to recognized ethical and scientific guidelines when conducting or reporting research.
- Contribute to the Greater Good: Recognize the social impact of coaching and encourage responsible, compassionate actions in Clients and colleagues.
- Lightness & Joy: Balance seriousness with compassion and openness.
5. Additional Guidelines for MAP Practitioners from the MAP Trainers
(These points apply specifically to the MAP Method™ and build on the general standards above.)
- Do Your Absolute Best: Treat each session with genuine care, dedication, and integrity.
- Client Empowerment: Encourage clients to arrive at their own insights rather than offer prescriptive “fixes.”
- Practical Commitments: Be on time, be prepared, and prioritize the Client’s well-being above personal agenda.
- Lightness & Joy: Balance seriousness with compassion and openness.
- Self-Care & Self-Awareness: Use MAP Method™ tools for your own well-being.
- Cultivating Connection: Create a safe, empathetic environment through active listening and non-judgment.
- Setting Realistic Expectations: Stress that transformation often requires sustained practice, time, and commitment.
- Actionable Strategies: Co-create techniques, tools, and action plans with clients.
- Ethical Use of Knowledge: Apply MAP insights responsibly; seek supervision if unsure.
- Professional Growth: Continually refine your understanding of MAP through mentorship and ongoing education.
- Follow-Through: Inform clients that they can contact you if they experience discomfort or emotional shifts between sessions.
