Request for Support for Ethical Concerns and Alleged Ethical Misconduct

The GPBA was founded with the purpose of setting high standards of ethical behavior and professional training and conduct. Thus, the GPBA takes all matters of alleged misconduct seriously. The GPBA reminds all Breathwork practitioners of our vital responsibilities towards those we serve in this healing practice.

When allegations of ethical misconduct concerning any certified practitioner or school of the GPBA are brought to the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance and its Ethics Committee, there will be a Board review which will determine the practitioner or school’s membership status in the GPBA moving forward.

The GPBA Ethics Committee Process is outlined below:

  • Please complete the ethical inquiries form to raise a concern directly to the Chair(s) of the GPBA ethics committee. This form will constitute a formal record of the concerns raised. We ask that you deeply consider what you share, in order to ensure that your statement is factual, clear, and respectful.
  • The Chair(s) will acknowledge receipt of a complaint within 5 days and request the following information to be provided either in writing or in a meeting:
    • The name and contact information of the subject(s) of the complaint (the GPBA certified member who has allegedly breached the ethics).
    • Further information on the alleged breach of ethics and any supplementary evidence.
    • What steps have already been taken.
    • What recommendations have already been made to either party.
    • Any current response from the subject(s) of the complaint about the situation.
  • The Chair(s) will anonymize and present the complaint to at least one other member of the ethics committee. They will consider the complaint and determine whether a review process is required. If unclear, they will convene the full ethics committee to discuss this. If it is determined that a formal GPBA Ethics Committee review process is warranted, the complainant(s) will be informed of the decision prior to the review being initiated. If further information is required to make a determination about a complaint, a member of the GPBA ethics committee will contact the complainant(s). If the committee determines that the complaint could be resolved through steps 1-3 of the GPBA process, they may offer the complainant(s) guidance and support to achieve resolution.
  • If a review process is warranted, the subject(s) will be informed in writing that a complaint has been received. The nature of the complaint will be disclosed, maintaining the anonymity of the complainant(s). In some circumstances, the subject(s) may be informed that their membership is being suspended during the review.
  • During the review:
    • The complainant(s) and the subject(s) will be invited to contribute any relevant materials as well as their own reflections on the situation.
    • The complainant(s) may be invited to a confidential meeting to discuss the situation.
    • The subject(s) may be invited to a confidential meeting to discuss the situation.
    • All parties are required to maintain confidentiality about the complaint. During the review process, we require that the complainant and subject do not communicate with each other, about each other, or about the complaint, except with professional therapeutic, legal, or spiritual support that they might need.
    • The anonymity of the complainant(s) will be maintained by the Chair(s) in their discussions and correspondence with the ethics committee and GPBA Board. If it is necessary to disclose their name(s) to any parties involved in the review, written consent will be requested from the complainant(s).
    • The anonymity of the subject(s) will be maintained amongst the ethics committee members in all discussions and correspondence. Their name will be disclosed to the GPBA Board if the status of their membership needs to be changed, a third-party professional needs to be consulted, or a safeguarding concern is raised during the review. The subject(s) will be informed in advance if a disclosure is required.
    • The Ethics Committee will hold all parties and subject matter in the highest confidence during and after the review, in perpetuity, unless cited to give evidence in an official professional or legal proceeding. The complaint will be discussed by the GPBA ethics committee, and the next steps towards resolution will be recommended.
  • At this stage, if the complainant(s) are open to working with the subject(s) for reparative action, and if it is within the GPBA’s scope to legally convene such a meeting, an agreement may be reached among the parties. If this is not possible, the GPBA will refer the complainant(s) to Third Party Professionals (Step 5).

You may register a concern about ethical misconduct of a practitioner or training program through this link.