Ethics, Consent and Boundaries: The Foundations of Safe, Compassionate Care
At ETI, our work is built on a simple principle: safety enables depth.
We believe that ethical practice, clear consent, and well-held boundaries are not restrictions — they are the very conditions that make genuine transformation possible.
Below we share how we bring these principles to life across our retreats and trainings.
1. Ethics as a Living Practice
For us, ethics is not a document or a rulebook — it’s something lived.
Our facilitators come from backgrounds in psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, and somatic practice, and bring a shared commitment to working responsibly with altered and expanded states of consciousness.
Ethics at ETI means:
Taking the time to know each participant before arrival through careful screening and preparation.
Meeting each person with respect, honesty, and curiosity.
Remaining aware of power dynamics and fostering environments where participants feel able to speak openly and make choices that are right for them.
We see ethical practice as something embodied — in how we listen, respond, and hold one another.
2. Informed Consent as Ongoing Dialogue
Informed consent begins long before a retreat and continues throughout the process.
We take care to ensure each participant understands the purpose, potential benefits, and boundaries of the work.
To help this live in practice, we use Informed Consent Cards — small, physical cards that participants fill out before the journey begins. These cards include personal details such as intention, mantra, and preferences around therapeutic touch or physical support.
Facilitators refer to these throughout the experience, ensuring every participant’s boundaries are seen, remembered, and respected.
Consent, for us, is not a signature — it’s a continuous conversation.
3. Shared Responsibility and Group Agreements
Every retreat begins with a collective conversation.
We introduce a series of Agreement Cards — simple, illustrated reminders of the commitments that help us cultivate safety, presence, and mutual respect.
These are not rules, but shared intentions that shape the group field. They include principles such as:
Don’t run away — ask for help. You are welcome, no matter how difficult the feeling.
Stop means stop. Boundaries are respected without question or judgment.
Be a true friend. Hold one another with respect and care.
Delightfully decline. You may say no at any time, without explanation.
Don’t give unsolicited advice. Sometimes being a witness is enough.
Don’t be a chatterbox. Honour confidentiality — your story is yours to share; others’ are not.
We all share the same humanity. All parts are welcome and will be held with unconditional presence.
These agreements act as touchstones throughout the retreat — a collective compass that everyone can return to when things feel uncertain or intense.
4. Connection Before the Work Begins
Trust begins before arrival.
Each group gathers for preparation calls, creating an early sense of connection and shared purpose.
Participants meet their facilitators and each other, begin to share intentions, and learn how to care for the group field.
By the time the retreat begins, the group already has a felt sense of safety and belonging.
5. The Containment of Facilitator Support
We maintain a ratio of two participants per facilitator, ensuring each individual receives the attention and support they deserve.
This allows us to stay attuned to each participant — emotionally, physically, and psychologically — while maintaining a strong, safe group container.
Facilitators also debrief regularly throughout the programme, supporting one another to remain grounded, present, and aligned.
6. Holding Boundaries with Compassion
Boundaries are not barriers — they are containers for trust.
Our facilitators are trained to hold consistent and compassionate boundaries around touch, communication, and process.
We encourage participants to express their limits clearly, knowing that every “no” will be met with respect.
Boundaries make space for the deepest work to unfold safely.
7. When Things Don’t Go as Expected
Even within the most careful holding, there may be moments when something feels uncomfortable or unclear.
We want every participant to know that they can raise concerns freely and that they will always be met with care. ETI has a formal complaints procedure to ensure that any issues are heard and addressed transparently. Participants can contact us directly at info@experientialtraininginstitute.com, and we aim to respond within 30 days.
If the issue remains unresolved, ETI is affiliated with the Dutch Foundation for Consumer Complaints Boards (De Geschillencommissie) — an independent body offering a fair and accessible route for resolution.
Accountability is part of our ethics — and we see every piece of feedback as an opportunity to learn and strengthen our practice.
Our Ongoing Commitment
We recognise that working with altered states and deep emotional material requires humility and accountability.
Our commitment is to keep learning, reflecting, and evolving — as individuals, as a team, and as part of a field that continues to grow.
Ethics, consent, and boundaries are not static ideals for us; they are living practices we renew with every group, every retreat, and every person we meet.
If you have any feedback on our approach or have any questions, do feel free to get in touch.
