Consent Information for Spiritual Direction, Yoga & Energy Work
Private Client Sessions
by Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC with Whitney R. Simpson
Whitney offers ecumenical soul care services online and in person for individuals and groups who seek to explore God’s peace in their lives through the practices of spiritual direction, yoga, and energy work. She is a member of the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders, Yoga Alliance, and Spiritual Directors International and follows the guidelines for ethical conduct of these organizations (a copy of these guidelines is available for review). She is a 500-hour experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT 500) and received her Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation as a spiritual director and retreat leader through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She completed her Deaconess course of study at Saint Paul School of Theology and serves as a lay person in the United Methodist Church. Additionally, Whitney is a trained master practitioner in the Usui Method of Natural Healing, trained by Rev. Jo Reece.
Payment
The fee for one-on-one individual private professional services with Whitney is $75 per one-hour online sessions, $100 at your approved location (in the city limits of Lebanon, TN) and $125 for first time yoga client assessments. Additional fees apply for services at your location as well as for additional persons or groups, contact Whitney for more information on group fees. If financial assistance is needed, please contact Whitney directly to discuss alternate methods of payment. Please use the links in your reminder email to pay prior to your session. Payment may also be made in person at the time of the session with Venmo, cash, check, or invoiced to your organization.
Time of Sessions and Changes
We both commit to begin and end our sessions on time, sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes. You will receive an email reminder for your session 24 hours prior to our time. If you wish to change your appointment, please let me know in advance by requesting to reschedule (based on availability) or by canceling. If you need to cancel, you may email me or leave a voicemail or text on my work mobile number at 615.200.7255. If I were to experience an emergency need in rescheduling, I will contact you directly as well. Please note: if you cancel back to back recurring sessions, you will asked to release your space on the schedule to another client on the waiting list and/or pay the price of your session. Recurring clients agree to a 10-month commitment annually, Whitney will not hold private sessions in July 2025 or December 2025.
Confidentiality of Spiritual Direction Sessions
I will hold our conversations in confidence. Our time together is sacred. I will not reveal the content of our conversations unless I am required to do so by law or court order. On the other hand, you are free to share whatever you choose about our time with anyone. Spiritual direction has impacted my journey greatly and it is something I share about often and process with spiritual friends and mentors. However, I will not release information about our session without your permission, except under the following required circumstances:
1. when there is threat or risk of self harm (suicide), or harm to another person (homicide)
2. when there is “reasonable cause” to suspect abuse or neglect of a child, disabled or elderly person, from
anything reported in a direction session.
3. when I receive a subpoena issued from a judge or court.
4. when a directee waives privilege by bringing charges or filing a suit.
Spiritual Direction Relationship
Spiritual Direction is a time of spiritual care, in order to care for and examine your spiritual life with God. Spiritual Direction sessions are not meant to be a substitute for professional counseling. While there is some overlap, counseling primarily focuses on one’s relationship with others and the issues surrounding them or on a particular situation in which one is seeking resolution, while spiritual direction focuses on one’s relationship with God. Sometimes God brings issues to the surface that need to be worked through and require the help of professional therapy in addition to or in lieu of our time together. You understand that the modality of yoga or energy work (Reiki) is sometimes included in a private session. Yoga includes physical movements as well as an opportunity for relaxation, stress reduction and relief of muscular tension. As is the case with any physical activity, the risk of injury, even serious or disabling, is always present and cannot be entirely eliminated. If you experience any pain or discomfort, you are asked to listen to your body, discontinue the activity, and ask for assistance. In addition, you will make me aware of any medical conditions or physical limitations before our time together. If you are pregnant, become pregnant or are post-natal or post-surgical, you verify that you have your physician's approval to participate in any physical activity. Reiki is a a natural energy balancing method used to offer you insight, relaxation, and stress relief.
Supervision
As part of my professional practice I consult with other yoga teachers, spiritual directors, and energy work practitioners through peer supervision. Your identity will never be revealed during this time. If you have any questions or concerns about this practice of supervision, please let me know and I will be happy to talk about it with you.
Consent for Spiritual Direction
I recognize that spiritual direction does not include financial, professional, relational or health care advice and any decisions or actions I take in that regard to these are done without the advice or recommendation of Whitney or the organizations of which she is affiliated. I recognize that Spiritual Direction is not a substitute for counseling. It is recommended that I see a licensed health care professional for any psychological concern I may be experiencing.
Consent for Yoga Participation
I hereby consent for myself and agree to assume all of the risks involved. I understand that Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC, Whitney R. Simpson does not provide medical insurance relative to accidents, injuries, and/or death as a result of program related activities or advice; and that I can not hold them responsible for any liability. I recognize that any form of physical activity is a potentially hazardous one, and that they involve a risk of possible injury or even death. I hereby affirm that I am voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge of the risk involved. I agree to expressly assume and accept any and all risks of injury and/or death. I hereby affirm myself to be physically sound and suffering from no condition, aliment, impairment, disease, or other illness that would prevent my participation in such activities, I declare that I have disclosed any and all medical history relevant to participation.
Consent for Energy Work
I understand that Energy Work/Reiki involves a natural method of energy balancing for the purpose of offering a reduction in stress and relaxation. I understand that a Reiki session is not a substitute for medical or psychological diagnosis and treatment. I understand that it is not massage therapy. I understand that Reiki practitioners do not diagnose conditions, nor do they prescribe substances, nor interfere with the treatment provided by a licensed medical professional. It is recommended that I see a licensed health care professional for any physical or psychological ailment I have.
Whitney offers ecumenical soul care services online and in person for individuals and groups who seek to explore God’s peace in their lives through the practices of spiritual direction, yoga, and energy work. She is a member of the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders, Yoga Alliance, and Spiritual Directors International and follows the guidelines for ethical conduct of these organizations (a copy of these guidelines is available for review). She is a 500-hour experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT 500) and received her Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation as a spiritual director and retreat leader through Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She completed her Deaconess course of study at Saint Paul School of Theology and serves as a lay person in the United Methodist Church. Additionally, Whitney is a trained master practitioner in the Usui Method of Natural Healing, trained by Rev. Jo Reece.
Payment
The fee for one-on-one individual private professional services with Whitney is $75 per one-hour online sessions, $100 at your approved location (in the city limits of Lebanon, TN) and $125 for first time yoga client assessments. Additional fees apply for services at your location as well as for additional persons or groups, contact Whitney for more information on group fees. If financial assistance is needed, please contact Whitney directly to discuss alternate methods of payment. Please use the links in your reminder email to pay prior to your session. Payment may also be made in person at the time of the session with Venmo, cash, check, or invoiced to your organization.
Time of Sessions and Changes
We both commit to begin and end our sessions on time, sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes. You will receive an email reminder for your session 24 hours prior to our time. If you wish to change your appointment, please let me know in advance by requesting to reschedule (based on availability) or by canceling. If you need to cancel, you may email me or leave a voicemail or text on my work mobile number at 615.200.7255. If I were to experience an emergency need in rescheduling, I will contact you directly as well. Please note: if you cancel back to back recurring sessions, you will asked to release your space on the schedule to another client on the waiting list and/or pay the price of your session. Recurring clients agree to a 10-month commitment annually, Whitney will not hold private sessions in July 2025 or December 2025.
Confidentiality of Spiritual Direction Sessions
I will hold our conversations in confidence. Our time together is sacred. I will not reveal the content of our conversations unless I am required to do so by law or court order. On the other hand, you are free to share whatever you choose about our time with anyone. Spiritual direction has impacted my journey greatly and it is something I share about often and process with spiritual friends and mentors. However, I will not release information about our session without your permission, except under the following required circumstances:
1. when there is threat or risk of self harm (suicide), or harm to another person (homicide)
2. when there is “reasonable cause” to suspect abuse or neglect of a child, disabled or elderly person, from
anything reported in a direction session.
3. when I receive a subpoena issued from a judge or court.
4. when a directee waives privilege by bringing charges or filing a suit.
Spiritual Direction Relationship
Spiritual Direction is a time of spiritual care, in order to care for and examine your spiritual life with God. Spiritual Direction sessions are not meant to be a substitute for professional counseling. While there is some overlap, counseling primarily focuses on one’s relationship with others and the issues surrounding them or on a particular situation in which one is seeking resolution, while spiritual direction focuses on one’s relationship with God. Sometimes God brings issues to the surface that need to be worked through and require the help of professional therapy in addition to or in lieu of our time together. You understand that the modality of yoga or energy work (Reiki) is sometimes included in a private session. Yoga includes physical movements as well as an opportunity for relaxation, stress reduction and relief of muscular tension. As is the case with any physical activity, the risk of injury, even serious or disabling, is always present and cannot be entirely eliminated. If you experience any pain or discomfort, you are asked to listen to your body, discontinue the activity, and ask for assistance. In addition, you will make me aware of any medical conditions or physical limitations before our time together. If you are pregnant, become pregnant or are post-natal or post-surgical, you verify that you have your physician's approval to participate in any physical activity. Reiki is a a natural energy balancing method used to offer you insight, relaxation, and stress relief.
Supervision
As part of my professional practice I consult with other yoga teachers, spiritual directors, and energy work practitioners through peer supervision. Your identity will never be revealed during this time. If you have any questions or concerns about this practice of supervision, please let me know and I will be happy to talk about it with you.
Consent for Spiritual Direction
I recognize that spiritual direction does not include financial, professional, relational or health care advice and any decisions or actions I take in that regard to these are done without the advice or recommendation of Whitney or the organizations of which she is affiliated. I recognize that Spiritual Direction is not a substitute for counseling. It is recommended that I see a licensed health care professional for any psychological concern I may be experiencing.
Consent for Yoga Participation
I hereby consent for myself and agree to assume all of the risks involved. I understand that Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC, Whitney R. Simpson does not provide medical insurance relative to accidents, injuries, and/or death as a result of program related activities or advice; and that I can not hold them responsible for any liability. I recognize that any form of physical activity is a potentially hazardous one, and that they involve a risk of possible injury or even death. I hereby affirm that I am voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge of the risk involved. I agree to expressly assume and accept any and all risks of injury and/or death. I hereby affirm myself to be physically sound and suffering from no condition, aliment, impairment, disease, or other illness that would prevent my participation in such activities, I declare that I have disclosed any and all medical history relevant to participation.
Consent for Energy Work
I understand that Energy Work/Reiki involves a natural method of energy balancing for the purpose of offering a reduction in stress and relaxation. I understand that a Reiki session is not a substitute for medical or psychological diagnosis and treatment. I understand that it is not massage therapy. I understand that Reiki practitioners do not diagnose conditions, nor do they prescribe substances, nor interfere with the treatment provided by a licensed medical professional. It is recommended that I see a licensed health care professional for any physical or psychological ailment I have.
*Updated January 2023
