Guidelines for Ethical Code of Practice
(Revised 2009)

Preamble

Somatic Psychotherapists are reminded that these ethical guidelines are meant to highlight areas in which clients may be potentially harmed and are not a legislated code.  Furthermore these guidelines are not to be used as therapeutic goals or expectations.

1.         General Responsibilities:

1.1          Somatic Psychotherapists are at all times liable and responsible for the running of their practice and for their therapeutic interventions.

1.2          It is the responsibility of the therapist to update and monitor their skills with ongoing professional training throughout their professional lives, such as ongoing supervision, seminars, reading and conferences.

1.3          It is unethical for Somatic Psychotherapists to seduce a client away from another therapist.  If approached by a client already in therapy it is the responsibility of the therapist to recommend that the client complete with that therapist unless there is evidence of harm or incompetence.

1.4          To protect the interests of the client it is the responsibility of the therapist to maintain their physical, mental and emotional well being and, if they cannot function adequately, to refrain from working and seek professional help where necessary.

1.5          Somatic Psychotherapist’s will not pay or accept payment or commission for referrals of clients and will not exploit the treatment of a client for their own personal or financial gain.

1.6          It is unethical for a Somatic Psychotherapist to behave in a manner, which would bring their profession into disrepute.

1.7          It is unethical to conduct the therapeutic relationship for any purposes other than the well being of the client.

1.8          Somatic Psychotherapists must take into account the social, cultural and spiritual preferences of the client during treatment.

1.9          Somatic Psychotherapists are responsible for setting and maintaining professional boundaries within the therapeutic relationship.

1.10         Upon application to A.S.I.A. Somatic Psychotherapists are required to disclose whether they have previously been subject to disciplinary measures or dismissal by another professional association.

2.         Advertising

2.1          Somatic Psychotherapists must not misrepresent their professional qualifications when they advertise their services to the public or when they ask other professionals for referrals.

3.         Confidentiality

3.1          It is the responsibility of the therapist to ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of their clients is maintained at all times and that records are securely stored.

3.2          When confidential information is being shared at the behest of the client, eg. in court or with other health professionals, it is the responsibility of the therapist to use only the information pertinent to a given situation and pass on concerns of confidentiality to anyone who is given the information.

3.3          Sharing confidential information with other health professionals or family members must only occur with the informed consent of the client unless there are over-riding legal considerations.

3.4          Disclosure of criminal acts may only take place when the therapist is convinced that not to do so would cause harm to the client or to others.  This would only take place after careful consideration and in consultation with a supervisor and, where possible, after informing the client.  Information regarding past criminal acts is confidential and to disclose this would constitute a violation of the confidentiality agreement between therapist and client.  It is the responsibility of the therapist to be aware of mandatory advising laws.

3.5          Somatic Psychotherapists must be aware when working with minors that as well as being responsible for confidentiality to the minor they also have a responsibility to the next of kin or guardian.

3.6          When writing case studies for publication the client’s identity must be protected.

3.7          The client must not be observed by anyone other than his or her counsellors without having given informed consent. This applies to any form of video or audio or recording as well as direct observation.

3.8          Supervisors and supervisees must be free to discuss their work provided the confidentiality and privacy of the client is maintained outside the supervisory relationship.

3.9          The Somatic Psychotherapist will take the necessary steps to ensure the safe disposal of client records in the event of the death or permanent disability of the therapist.

4.         Contracts

4.2          Contracts involving the client should be reasonable and clear.

4.3          All and any publicity, written and oral information should reflect accurately the nature of the service offered and the training, qualifications and relevant experience of the therapist.             

4.4          All conflicts of interest are to be disclosed and supervision sought as to appropriate action, which may include referral.

5.         Dual Role Relationships

5.1          Since dual role relationships have the potential to create confusion, ambiguity and exploitation, thus placing the therapeutic relationship in jeopardy, they are considered to be potentially damaging.

5.2          Somatic Psychotherapists are responsible for setting and maintaining professional boundaries and maintaining awareness of possible conflicts in dual role relationships.

5.3          Somatic Psychotherapists will not undertake ongoing Psychotherapy with friends, employees, or family.

6.         Sexual Relationships

6.1          Sexual relationships between therapist and client are unethical.

6.2          Sexual relationships between supervisor and supervisee are unethical.

6.3          Sexual relationships between trainer and trainee are unethical.

6.4          It is unethical for a therapist to end the therapy in order to begin a sexual relationship with a client or to begin a friendship or business partnership with a client.

6.5          While sexual charge is normal in a therapeutic relationship, acting on it is unethical.

6.6          Should an attraction to a client develop the therapist will immediately seek supervision and, should that attraction impair their judgement or be likely to develop into a sexual relationship, will refer the client elsewhere.

7.         Relationship with Colleagues & the Professional Association

7.1          Members of the Association will refrain from making written or verbal statements, which would bring discredit to, and adversely effect the professional reputation of a colleague.

7.2          Members of the Association who have reason to suspect misconduct on the part of another member, have a professional obligation to approach the therapist concerned to seek a resolution, or, if they are unable to do so, or if there can be no satisfactory resolution, they are obliged to report the matter to the Executive.

7.3          Members of the Association are committed to protect the public against incompetent and dishonourable practices and are prepared to challenge these practices.

8.         Termination and post-therapy issues

8.1          The Somatic Psychotherapist does not have the right to insist the client remain in therapy if the client has decided to terminate therapy.  However, it is the responsibility of the therapist to apprise the client of the value in allowing the full investigation of this phase of the therapy.

8.2          It is unethical for a Somatic Psychotherapist to abandon or threaten to abandon a client.

9.         Training and Supervision

9.1          It is the responsibility of Trainers and Supervisors to promote an awareness of, and adherence to, the ethical standards of their profession and the Code of Ethics of the Association with students and supervisees.

9.2          Trainers and Supervisors have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of students, supervisees and the clients of supervisees.

10.        Public Statements

10.1        Public statements regarding the training programme must not contain fraudulent or misleading information regarding the content of the programme.

10.2        Public statements must not misrepresent the qualifications, experience, and type of service or years of practice of the therapist or create false expectations of benefit.

10.3        Public statements must not claim superiority over other forms of therapy or infer superiority over other members of the Association.

ETHICAL COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

Preamble

The guidelines on the Ethical Practice of Somatic Psychotherapy acknowledge the necessity for our professional association to have a clearly defined code of ethical practice.  While having ethics guidelines only makes sense when they are adhered to by the association members, we also want to stress that professional misconduct is often the result of personal conflicts and isolation.

A.S.I.A. has a commitment to ensure that all its members are professionally trained and have a solid understanding of ethical issues associated with therapeutic practice.  To obtain membership of A.S.I.A. therapists are thus required to sign the ethics guidelines to express that they agree and intend to abide by the practices contained therein.

Procedures

The Executive will then contact the therapist in writing alerting them to the issue/issues.  The letter is to contain:
1.         Details of the allegation
2.         A copy of the client’s letter to the Executive
3.         A request for a written explanation
4.         Request for an interview with members of the Complaints Tribunal

The Executive will call for accredited members of A.S.I.A. or other related Associations who have no history with the alleged offending therapist.  The Complaints Tribunal, which will consist of four members, will:
1.         Interview the client
2.         Interview the therapist
3.         Investigate and analyse all information and prepare recommendations to the Executive of A.S.I.A.

Possible Outcomes

• Warning
• Reprimand
• Acknowledgement of wrongdoing and apology
• Mediation
• Financial restitution
• Withdrawal of privilege on status within the association
• Ongoing psychotherapy
• Retraining
• Supervision
• Being asked to re-apply for membership
• Resigning from the association
• Expulsion, including informing other relevant bodies of the outcome
• Contacting membership stating the outcome of the tribunal

The Complaints Tribunal will then report its findings and recommendations to the Executive at the earliest possible convenience.
The Executive will then carry out the recommendations of the Complaints Tribunal.

Right to Appeal

The therapist or the complainant has the right to formally appeal the decision to the Executive Committee on the basis of significant procedural error. He/she must indicate the nature of the alleged error in writing within thirty days from the date of notification. Unless written notification is received within the specified time, the right to appeal will be forfeited

Appeals Procedure

If an appeal is lodged against the decision based on procedural error, the Executive Committee will appoint an Appeals Tribunal of 3 people consisting of representation from the Executive, from the Executive of another related Association, and an experienced relevant professional who is not a member of the counselling or psychotherapy profession.

The Appeals Tribunal is empowered to act on behalf of the Executive in assessing the appeal and its decision will be considered final.

The Appeals Tribunal will review all relevant documentation to determine whether a procedural error has occurred. The panel will make recommendations to the Executive on the basis of the inquiry. Where an appeal has failed in that no procedural error has occurred, the Executive will inform both parties in writing within 7 days that the original findings and recommendations will be upheld. Where a significant procedural error is deemed to have occurred, an appeal will be upheld and the Executive Committee will establish a new Complaints Tribunal. The new Complaints Tribunal will follow procedures outlined in this document.