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Code of Ethics

Standards that guide clinical practice, training, and professional conduct.

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHOSEXUAL THERAPISTS

The International Association of Psychosexual Therapists (IAPST) Code of Ethics is designed to provide guidance to all members in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct within the field of psychosexual therapy.

The IAPST Code of Ethics is intended to complement and serve as an addendum to the code of ethics established by practitioners' licensing bodies and/or legal jurisdictions.

All members are expected to uphold the ethical standards of both their respective jurisdictions and the IAPST. In any case of conflicting guidance, practitioners must prioritize adherence to the legal and ethical requirements of their licensing bodies and the laws governing their practice.

Professional Conduct and Patient Welfare

The IAPST is committed to promoting professionalism, ethical behavior, and science-based treatment, prioritizing the welfare of patients. As a member, you are expected to adhere to the following principles:

1. Respectful and Ethical Conduct

  1. 1.1Members will treat all patients, supervisees, and trainees with respect, honesty, and fairness.
  2. 1.2Members shall avoid engaging in any form of sexual contact or intimate relationships with patients, supervisees, trainees, or their close contacts.
  3. 1.3Members will maintain appropriate professional boundaries with current and former patients, as well as their close associates.
  4. 1.4Members shall continuously assess and manage dual or multiple relationships to prevent harm and uphold professional integrity.
  5. 1.5Members shall refrain from providing therapeutic services to intimate partners, family members, close friends, or associates.
  6. 1.6Members will avoid emotional, financial, or any other form of exploitation of patients or others.
  7. 1.7Members shall not misuse professional knowledge or power in ways that could harm others.
  8. 1.8Members will address ethical conflicts with professionalism and responsibility, ensuring that all actions maintain the integrity of IAPST standards.

2. Patient-Centered Care and Responsibility

  1. 2.1Members will refrain from imposing personal beliefs in ways that may distress or harm patients.
  2. 2.2Members shall consider the diverse needs of all patients and make reasonable arrangements and adjustments to meet those needs.
  3. 2.3Members will refer patients to another practitioner when it best serves the patient's care.
  4. 2.4Members will accept responsibility for the outcomes of their care, taking ownership of their decisions and actions. This includes regular follow-ups, monitoring treatment progress, and addressing any issues that may arise to ensure patient safety and well-being.

3. Continuous Improvement and Professional Competence

  1. 3.1Members shall define professional competence as possessing knowledge of factors that influence a patient's social location, including age, gender, identity, national origin, religion, sexuality, ability, and socioeconomic status.
  2. 3.2Members will maintain competence in all facets of their work, including clinical practice, management, and research, by engaging in continued education as necessary.
  3. 3.3Members shall stay updated with professional knowledge and skills and engage in ongoing competence development.
  4. 3.4Members will adhere to relevant guidelines, legislation, and regulations affecting their practice.
  5. 3.5Members will acknowledge and work within the limits of their expertise, utilizing supervisor feedback for guidance.
  6. 3.6Members shall seek the knowledge and skills necessary to serve the needs of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  7. 3.7Members will carefully evaluate the impact of self-disclosure, ensuring it benefits the therapeutic process.
  8. 3.8When members do not possess the necessary knowledge or skills to serve their patients, they will seek additional education or consultation. In cases where the patient's needs are beyond the member's scope of competency, members will provide an onward referral to a qualified professional who can offer appropriate care.
  9. 3.9Members will possess adequate language skills to communicate effectively with their patients. Using family members as interpreters is only appropriate if it is legally permitted in their jurisdiction.

4. Clinical Practice and Safety Measures

  1. 4.1Members shall base therapy on comprehensive assessments of patients.
  2. 4.2Members will ensure that therapy aligns with any concurrent treatments that patients are receiving.
  3. 4.3Members will possess a working knowledge of local agencies that support and protect the populations they serve.
  4. 4.4Members will seek ongoing supervision from experienced and qualified supervisors.
  5. 4.5Members shall not endorse or promote forced conversion therapy.
  6. 4.6Members shall not personally provide sexual surrogacy or engage in any bodywork that requires physical contact with patients.
  7. 4.7Members will only recommend surrogacy with the approval of both their local licensing board and malpractice insurance provider.

5. Quality Assurance and Ethical Practices

  1. 5.1Members will uphold confidentiality and data protection regulations.
  2. 5.2Members will maintain adequate insurance or indemnity coverage for patient claims as their jurisdiction requires.
  3. 5.3Members shall maintain accurate, legible, and timely clinical records.
  4. 5.4Members shall plan well-managed terminations of therapeutic relationships when necessary.
  5. 5.5Members will ensure that all research methods and practices are designed and conducted in accordance with academic, legal, and ethical guidelines, taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm to participants.
  6. 5.6Members will respond promptly and honestly to all complaints while ensuring patient care remains unaffected.
  7. 5.7Members will keep accurate, legible, and timely clinical records and store medical records as required by their jurisdiction.
  8. 5.8Members shall adhere to all IAPST policies and procedures.

6. Upholding Professional Integrity

  1. 6.1Members will act in a manner that upholds trust and confidence in the profession.
  2. 6.2Members will evaluate the impacts of their actions or behaviors, especially in sensitive therapy areas.
  3. 6.3Members shall adhere to IAPST policies and procedures.
  4. 6.4Members will provide honest information about their qualifications, affiliations, and roles.
  5. 6.5Certified members shall not reference their IAPST certification or membership alongside a college or university degree in any announcement, statement, or communication unless the degree is based on academic merit and issued by an accredited institution.
  6. 6.6Members shall not make misleading statements concerning their IAPST certification status.
  7. 6.7Members shall not equate IAPST membership to licensure or professional qualification.
  8. 6.8Members shall clearly distinguish between personal statements or actions and those made as representatives of IAPST.
  9. 6.9When making statements or acting on behalf of IAPST, members shall ensure that all statements and actions fully align with IAPST's mission, vision, and values and have been approved by IAPST leadership.

7. Regulatory Compliance and Accountability

  1. 7.1Members will respond promptly and honestly to complaints, ensuring patient care remains unaffected.
  2. 7.2Members shall cooperate with lawful investigations related to their therapy practice and inform IAPST of any relevant developments within 14 days.

8. Confidentiality

  1. 8.1Members will respect the privacy of all patients by ensuring that personal, medical, and sensitive information is kept confidential and shared only with authorized individuals involved in the patient's care.
  2. 8.2Members shall share patient information with external parties only when explicit, informed consent is obtained from the patient, except when required by law or in cases where withholding the information would cause harm to the patient or others.
  3. 8.3Members will ensure that all patient records, whether digital or physical, are securely stored and protected from unauthorized access, loss, or theft in compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
  4. 8.4Members shall limit information shared about patients to what is necessary for the intended purpose, striving to disclose the least amount of information possible to respect patient confidentiality.
  5. 8.5Members are responsible for reporting any breaches of confidentiality or data security, whether intentional or accidental and for taking immediate steps to mitigate any harm caused to the patient.

9. Respectful Member Discourse

  1. 9.1Members are encouraged to share their thoughts, questions, and ideas with colleagues, as well as research, opinion pieces, and clinical vignettes. The standards of academic freedom and free speech will guide member discourse.
  2. 9.2Members shall conduct discussions, debates, and dialogues with respect and professionalism.
  3. 9.3Members will avoid personal attacks, shaming, discrediting, or silencing of questions, beliefs, or shared research. Respectful disagreements and differing viewpoints are welcomed as part of a healthy discourse.
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