1. RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENT
Members shall not discriminate against or refuse professional service solely on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
* Members shall not engage in sexual activities with clients during counseling or for a period of one year after counseling.
* Members shall not sexually harass any client or former client. Harassment shall be defined by objective, reasonable person standard and shall include sexual solicitation, physical advances, verbal or non verbal conduct that is sexual in nature, or offensive or unwelcome.
2. TERMINATING THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
* Member shall not abandon clients.
* Members shall terminate the client/therapist relationship when it becomes clear to the member that:
a. the client no longer needs counseling , or the client is not benefiting from therapy.
* Members may terminate the relationship for the following reasons:
a. because of non-payment by the client, or
b. in the members judgement, the relationship should be terminated because the member believes he or she cannot provide services according to this ethical code.
3. UNDUE INFLUENCE (conflicting dual relationships)
* Members shall not enter into a therapeutic relationship with a client where there is undue influence to the detriment of the client or where the risk of exploitation or impaired judgement by the member.
Factors to be considered are: Personal or family relationships. Size of community. Length of time between the therapeutic relationship or any other relationship.The level of intimacy of the non-therapeutic relationship. Exchange of goods and services that may be contraindicated exploitative.
4. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCE
* Members shall provide only those services that they are competent to provide by education, training or experience.
* Members shall make a reasonable effort to continue their professional growth by further education, training or experience.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
* Members shall be aware that to the client, confidentiality is an essential part of the trust relationship between the psychotherapist and the client. It is the clients right to expect that the confidences divulged in the course of therapy, shall be protected by the therapist to the fullest extent permitted by law.
6. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROFESSION
* Respect the rights and responsibilities of professional colleagues and participate in activities that advance the goals of the profession. Refrain from demeaning or denigrating in any legal mode or model of practice.
* Members shall be knowledgeable and adhere to the laws and regulations applicable to psychotherapy.
* Members shall make reasonable to avoid interfering with the therapy provided by another psychotherapist.
7. INTEGRITY
* In all actions and public representations, the member shall operate with integrity, honesty, and in the best interest of the client, the profession, and the community.
8. RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY
* Members shall promote the general welfare of society and act to expand choice opportunity for all persons.
* Members shall promote the best interest of clients and the public.
* Members shall advocate changes in policy and legislation to ensure their right to practice.