● Excellence in service to members. ● Diversity, equity, and excellence in clinical practice, research, education, and administration. ● Integrity evidenced by a high threshold of ethical and honest behavior within Association governance and by members. ● Innovation and the advancement of knowledge of systemic and relational therapies. Ethical Standards. Ethical standards are rules of practice upon which the marriage and family therapist is obliged and judged. Standard I. Responsibility to Clients. Marriage and family therapists advance the welfare of families and individuals and make reasonable efforts to find the appropriate balance between conflicting goals within the family system. This standard includes a discussion of the following categories: ● Non-discrimination; ● Informed consent; ● Multiple relationships; ● Sexual intimacy with current and former clients is prohibited; ● Reports of unethical conduct; Standard II. Confidentiality. Marriage and family therapists have unique confidentiality concerns because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one person. Therapists respect and guard the confidences of each individual client. This standard defines the following components: ● Disclosing limits of confidentiality; ● Written authorization to release client information; ● Client access to records; ● Confidentiality in non-clinical activities; ● Protection of records; ● Preparation for practice changes; and ● Confidentiality in consultations. Standard III. Professional Competency and Integrity. Marriage and family therapists maintain high standards of professional competence and integrity. ● Maintenance of competency; ● Knowledge of regulatory standards; ● Abuse of the therapeutic relationship; ● Client autonomy in decision-making; ● Relationship beneficial to the client; ● Referrals; ● Non-abandonment; ● Written consent to record; and ● Relationships with third parties.
e. Disciplined by regulatory bodies or have their licenses or certificates suspended or revoked; f. Practicing marriage and family therapy while no longer competent due to physical or mental impairment, abuse of alcohol or other substances; g. Not cooperating with the association throughout proceedings regarding a complaint. Standard IV. Responsibility to Students and Supervisees. Marriage and family therapists do not exploit the trust and dependency of students and supervisees. ● Exploitation; ● Therapy with students or supervisees; ● Sexual intimacy with students or supervisees is prohibited; ● Oversight of supervisee competence and professionalism; ● Confidentiality with supervisees; and ● Payment for supervision. Standard V. Research and Publication. Marriage and family therapists do not exploit the trust and dependency of students and supervisees. This standard includes information on the following areas: ● Therapists respect the dignity and protect research participants, are aware of applicable laws, regulations, and standards of research; ● Institutional approval; ● Informed consent to research; ● Right to decline or withdraw participation; ● Confidentiality of research data; ● Publication; ● Authorship of student work; ● Plagiarism; and ● Accuracy in publication. Standard VI. Technology-Assisted Professional Services. This standard addresses basic ethical requirements of offering therapy, supervision, and related professional ● Clients and supervisees must be made aware of the risks and responsibilities associated with technology-assisted services; ● Confidentiality and professional responsibilities; ● Technology and documentation; Standard VII. Professional Evaluations. Marriage and family therapists aspire to the highest of standards in providing testimony in various contexts within the legal system. ● Location of services and practice; and ● Training and use of current technology. ● Performance of forensic services; ● Testimony in legal proceedings; ● Competence; ● Informed consent; ● Avoiding conflicts and dual roles; ● Separation of custody evaluation from therapy; services using electronic means. ● Technology assisted services; ● Consent to treat or supervise; Standard VIII. Financial Arrangements. Marriage and family therapists make financial arrangements with clients, third-party payers, and supervisees that are reasonably understandable and conform to accepted professional practices. ● Financial integrity; ● Disclosure of financial policies; ● Notice of payment recovery procedures; ● Professional opinions; ● Changes in service; and ● Familiarity with rules.
● Seeking assistance; ● Conflicts of interest; ● Maintenance of records; ● Development of new skills;
● Harassment; ● Exploitation; ● Gifts;
● Scope of competence; ● Public statements; and ● Professional misconduct.
Therapists may be in violation of this Code and subject to termination of membership or other action if they are: a. Convicted of a felony; b. Convicted of a misdemeanor related to their qualifications or functions; c. Engaged in conduct leading to conviction of a felony, or misdemeanor related to their qualifications or functions; d. Expelled or disciplined by other professional organizations;
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Book Code: PCUS1525
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