Ethical Code
- The methods employed will be consistent with a high standard of professional practice (APA).
- Maintaining a high quality of skills and knowledge and applying these well. No-one should practice or teach beyond their professional competence.
- Continuing with their own professional development and keeping their professional knowledge up to date as far as possible by reading and attending training courses/conferences.
- Conducting their relationships with clients and students with integrity and cultural sensitivity, respecting the rights and dignity of everyone, without discriminating against for any reason.
- Respecting the trust relationship with the client, especially maintaining confidentiality, and not using any information gained for any purpose beyond that which has been agreed by the client.
- Allowing clients to move towards personal wholeness – mentally, spiritually, and physically.
- Respecting their clients’ right to take decisions for, and to act for, themselves.
- Avoiding dual roles which would lead to conflicts of interest (for example the roles of manager/supervisor, trainer/counselor, counselor/family member).
- Working in a way that will keep them healthy and safe, including keeping a good balance between work time, family time, social time, and self-care.
- Counselors and supervisors will keep notes about work with clients that are accurate and respectful and will be anonymized and stored in a secure place.
- All counselors and supervisors will have their own adequate professional supervision, at least monthly.
- Counselors will not meet with children under the age of 18 without the permission of a person with parental responsibility.