About the Right Use of Power Educational Programs,
Manual, and Method
"I know of nothing quite like this book.
It offers a wealth of useful, exquisitely organized information.
A valuable resource artfully presented. Full of charts, tables,
diagrams, quotes and experiential exercises, it is a book which
both informs and delights. On the subject of ethics, it can't be
topped."
— Ron Kurtz, founder of the Hakomi Method
"Cedar Barstow has written the best book
I've seen on the ethics, dangers, and potentials inherent within
helping relationships. This is the book I wish I had read when
I was first training as a psychotherapist. Cedar has assembled
the physical volume in a way that is as gorgeous as it is functional." 
— Bill Plotkin, Ph.D., Author of Soulcraft: Crossing
into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche.
"This is an outstanding resource guide.
It is comprehensive, clear, inspirational, and practical. A great
contribution to a shift in ethics education."
— Angeles Arrien, Ph.D. Author of The Four-Fold
Way and Signs of Life.
The Right Use of Power by Cedar Barstow teaches
ethics from the inside out. Most ethics courses for psychotherapists
teach us the laws and scare us into using them. The approach of
this book and the trainings based on it help people graduate to
a deeper connection to their own ethical natures, an internal sense
of their own integrity, and a personal view of what is right in
their relations with clients. This is much more interesting and
helpful than memorizing legal statutes. Wonderfully experiential
and deeply didactic, I consider it my favorite book for teaching
ethics in the field of psychotherapy.
— Rob Fisher, MFT Professor, and Author of Experiential
Psychotherapy with Couples:
A guide for the Creative Pragmatist.
Cedar has culminated in her book years of her
work in teaching ethics to professionals and in living these ethics
on personal, community and professional and political levels. She
is precise, descriptive, and graphic in her charts, her examples,
and applications of ethical issues. She elevates the entire discussion
of ethical issues far above a philosophy of "avoiding legal
issues," to a philosophy of service with highest of regard
for humanity and the processes that facilitate a higher moral ground.
— Laura S. Dodson, M.S.W., Ph.D. Jungian Analyst, author
of Virginia Satir: Her Life and Circle of Influence.
Cedar's work is so 'right' for our times. She
embodies the principles she teaches in her work and empowers others
to do the same. Dedicated to the growth of the human spirit in
relationship, she has produced both a book and home study course
that will help individuals, groups and organizations make quantum
leaps in their capacity to live the potential of love and trust
in our human associations. I recommend her with heartfelt warmth
and deep appreciation.
— Mukara Meredith, MSW, President Matrix Leadership Consultants,
LLC
Right Relations is a concept that ought to
be foundational for living the interdependent web of world community.
Wise and acountable use of power is central to Right Relations.
Cedar beautifully invites and instructs us in this journey that
is both personal and internal as well as communal.
— Rev. Dr. Marni Harmony UU minister for 30 years
The ethical conduct of professional relationships
is a complicated and delicate subject. This book tackles it in
as clear and sensitive a way as I've seen. I highly recommend it.
— Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D., developer of the Internal
Family Systems model of psychotherapy
“I am having fun. I wish I had nothing
else to do but the course. You did a remarkable job collecting
all this information, establishing it within a spiritual and healing
orientation, and then making it so easily accessible and experiential.
I am ever more impressed as I go through it.”
“Cedar Barstow has a unique take on the
subject of ethics. She focuses on relationship wisdom, resolving
difficulties before they escalate, and includes the study of shame
dynamics in relation to ethics.”
“My whole idea of professional ethics
was broadened and deepened through seeing ethics in the larger
context of right use of power. Personally, I studied my relationship
with power, my wounds around power, and how I use power. This was
engaging, surprising, and helpful.”
“For the first time, I was able to explore
personal experiences about ethical issues in a safe, caring environment.”
“I am just bedazzled by the level of
work and thought that went into this program.”
“I have an increased awareness of the
more subtle ways in which power and influence are exercised.”
“Knowing about the difference between
intention and impact will be so helpful to me…in all my relationships.”
“I now have a greater awareness of my
responsibility and had an opportunity to assess my vulnerabilities
in terms of ethics.”
