ethics code

The first section of the Ethical Standards in the "Ethical Principles of

Psychologists and Code of Conduct" concerns resolving ethical issues. This
section outlines how psychologists should address ethical violations, potential
misuse of their work, and conflicts that may arise between ethical guidelines
and legal or organizational demands.
The standards within this section are:

1.01 Misuse of Psychologists’ Work: Psychologists are required to take

reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse or misrepresentation of
their work if they become aware of it.

1.02 Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing

Legal Authority: If conflicts arise between a psychologist's ethical
responsibilities and the law, regulations, or other governing legal authority,
the psychologist must clarify the nature of the conflict. They must also
make known their commitment to the Ethics Code and take reasonable
steps to resolve the conflict in a way that aligns with the General Principles
and Ethical Standards. This standard cannot be used to justify or defend
violating human rights.

1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands:

Psychologists must clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their
commitment to the Ethics Code and try to resolve the conflict in a way that
adheres to the Ethics Code. This standard cannot be used to justify or
defend violating human rights.

1.04 Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations: When psychologists believe

that another psychologist may have committed an ethical violation, they
should attempt to resolve the issue by bringing it to the attention of the
individual, if an informal resolution appears appropriate and doesn't violate
confidentiality rights.

1.05 Reporting Ethical Violations: If an apparent ethical violation has

substantially harmed or is likely to substantially harm a person or
organization, and informal resolution is not appropriate or properly
resolved, psychologists should take further action. This may include referral
to ethics committees, state licensing boards, or appropriate institutional
authorities. This standard does not apply when it would violate

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 confidentiality rights or when psychologists have been retained to review
another psychologist's work.

1.06 Cooperating With Ethics Committees: Psychologists are obligated to

cooperate in ethics investigations and proceedings of the APA or any
affiliated state psychological association they belong to, addressing any
confidentiality issues that may arise. Failure to cooperate is itself an ethics
violation; however, requesting a deferment of adjudication of an ethics
complaint pending the outcome of litigation does not alone constitute
noncooperation.

1.07 Improper Complaints: Psychologists should not file or encourage the

filing of ethics complaints that are made with reckless disregard for or
willful ignorance of facts that would disprove the allegation.

1.08 Unfair Discrimination Against Complainants and Respondents:

Psychologists should not deny persons employment, advancement,
admissions to academic or other programs, tenure, or promotion, based
solely upon their having made or being the subject of an ethics complaint.
This does not prevent action based upon the outcome of such proceedings
or considering other appropriate information.

The section on Competence in the "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and

Code of Conduct" addresses the qualifications and boundaries of practice for
psychologists. It outlines the importance of psychologists providing services,
teaching, and conducting research only within the areas of their expertise,
based on their education, training, supervised experience, and professional
experience.

The standards within this section are:

2.01 Boundaries of Competence:

Psychologists must provide services, teach, and conduct research only

within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education,
training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional
experience.

Where scientific or professional knowledge establishes that an

understanding of factors associated with age, gender, gender identity,
race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, language, or socioeconomic status is essential for effective

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 implementation of their services or research, psychologists must have
or obtain the necessary training, experience, consultation, or
supervision to ensure the competence of their services, or they make
appropriate referrals.

Psychologists planning to work with new populations, areas,

techniques, or technologies should undertake relevant education,
training, supervised experience, consultation, or study.

If appropriate mental health services are unavailable and psychologists

have related prior training or experience, they may provide services to
ensure services are not denied while making a reasonable effort to
obtain the required competence.

In emerging areas where recognized standards for preparatory training

do not yet exist, psychologists should still take reasonable steps to
ensure the competence of their work and protect those they work with
from harm.

When assuming forensic roles, psychologists should be reasonably

familiar with the judicial or administrative rules governing their roles.

2.02 Providing Services in Emergencies:

In emergencies, psychologists can provide services to individuals for

whom other mental health services are not available and for which they
have not obtained the necessary training to ensure that services are not
denied. These services should be discontinued as soon as the
emergency has ended or appropriate services are available.

2.03 Maintaining Competence:

Psychologists are expected to undertake ongoing efforts to develop

and maintain their competence.

2.04 Bases for Scientific and Professional Judgments:

Psychologists' work must be based upon established scientific and

professional knowledge of the discipline.

2.05 Delegation of Work to Others:

Psychologists who delegate work to employees, supervisees, or

research or teaching assistants, or who use the services of others, must
take reasonable steps to avoid delegating work to those with multiple

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 relationships with those being served, authorize only responsibilities
that persons can be expected to perform competently, and ensure that
such persons perform these services competently.

2.06 Personal Problems and Conflicts:

Psychologists should refrain from initiating an activity when they know

or should know that there is a substantial likelihood that their personal
problems will prevent them from performing their work-related activities
in a competent manner.

When psychologists become aware of personal problems that may

interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they
should take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional
consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit,
suspend, or terminate their work-related duties.

The section on Human Relations in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and

Code of Conduct includes several sub-points that address various aspects of
psychologists' interactions with others. These sub-points are designed to
ensure that psychologists maintain professional and ethical relationships with
their clients, students, colleagues, and the general public.

The sub-points of Human Relations are:

3.01 Unfair Discrimination: Psychologists should not participate in unfair

discrimination based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity,
culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability,
socioeconomic status, or any basis proscribed by law.

3.02 Sexual Harassment: Psychologists do not engage in sexual

harassment, which includes unwelcome sexual solicitation, physical
advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct of a sexual nature that creates a
hostile environment.

3.03 Other Harassment: Psychologists should not knowingly engage in

behavior that is harassing or demeaning based on factors such as age,
gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion,
sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status.

3.04 Avoiding Harm: Psychologists take reasonable steps to avoid harming

their clients/patients, students, supervisees, research participants,

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 organizational clients, and others with whom they work, and to minimize
harm where it is foreseeable and unavoidable. Additionally, psychologists
do not participate in torture or any cruel, inhuman, or degrading behavior.

3.05 Multiple Relationships: Psychologists should avoid multiple

relationships that could impair their objectivity, competence, or
effectiveness, or that risk exploitation or harm. If a potentially harmful
multiple relationship arises, the psychologist should take steps to resolve it.

3.06 Conflict of Interest: Psychologists should refrain from taking on a

professional role when personal, scientific, professional, legal, financial, or
other interests or relationships could reasonably be expected to impair their
objectivity, competence, or effectiveness, or expose the person or
organization to harm or exploitation.

3.07 Third-Party Requests for Services: When psychologists agree to

provide services to a person or entity at the request of a third party, they
clarify the nature of the relationship with all individuals or organizations
involved, including the psychologist’s role, identification of who is the client,
the probable uses of the services, and the limits of confidentiality.

3.08 Exploitative Relationships: Psychologists do not exploit persons over

whom they have supervisory, evaluative, or other authority, such as
clients/patients, students, supervisees, research participants, and
employees.

3.09 Cooperation with Other Professionals: When indicated and

professionally appropriate, psychologists cooperate with other
professionals in order to serve their clients/patients effectively and
appropriately.

3.10 Informed Consent: Psychologists obtain informed consent for

research, assessment, therapy, counseling, or consulting services, using
language that is reasonably understandable to the individual. They also take
steps to obtain assent, protect the individual’s rights and welfare and
consider the person’s preferences and best interests when working with
individuals legally incapable of giving informed consent.

3.11 Psychological Services Delivered to or Through Organizations:

Psychologists delivering services to or through organizations provide
information beforehand to clients and those affected by the services about
the nature and objectives of the services, the intended recipients, who is

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 the client, the relationship the psychologist will have with each person and
the organization, the probable uses of services provided and information
obtained, who will have access to the information, and limits of
confidentiality.

3.12 Interruption of Psychological Services: Psychologists make

reasonable efforts to plan for facilitating services in the event that
psychological services are interrupted by factors such as the psychologist’s
illness, death, unavailability, relocation, or retirement, or by the
client’s/patient’s relocation or financial limitations.

The section on Privacy and Confidentiality in the Ethical Principles of

Psychologists and Code of Conduct includes several standards that address
how psychologists should handle private information obtained during their
work. These standards emphasize the importance of protecting the privacy of
individuals and organizations with whom psychologists work.

The sub-points include:

4.01 Maintaining Confidentiality: Psychologists must protect confidential

information obtained through their work, acknowledging that the extent and
limits of confidentiality may be regulated by law or established by
institutional rules.

4.02 Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality: Psychologists discuss the

relevant limits of confidentiality with persons and organizations with whom
they have a professional relationship. This discussion occurs at the outset
of the relationship and as new circumstances warrant. Psychologists who
offer services via electronic transmission inform clients/patients of the risks
to privacy and limits of confidentiality.

4.03 Recording: Psychologists obtain permission before recording voices

or images of individuals to whom they provide services.

4.04 Minimizing Intrusions on Privacy: Psychologists include only

information germane to the purpose of communication in written and oral
reports and consultations. They discuss confidential information only for
appropriate scientific or professional purposes and only with persons
clearly concerned with such matters.

4.05 Disclosures: Psychologists may disclose confidential information with

the appropriate consent of the client, or when mandated or permitted by

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 law for valid purposes such as providing needed services, obtaining
consultations, protecting from harm, or obtaining payment for services.

4.06 Consultations: When consulting with colleagues, psychologists do

not disclose confidential information that could lead to the identification of
a client unless they have prior consent or the disclosure cannot be avoided.
Information is disclosed only to the extent necessary to achieve the
purposes of the consultation.

4.07 Use of Confidential Information for Didactic or Other Purposes:

Psychologists do not disclose confidential, personally identifiable
information in their writings, lectures, or other public media unless they take
reasonable steps to disguise the person or organization, the person or
organization has consented in writing, or there is legal authorization for
doing so.

The section on Advertising and Other Public Statements in the Ethical Principles
of Psychologists and Code of Conduct outlines the standards for how
psychologists should present themselves and their services to the public.
These standards aim to ensure that psychologists' public statements are
honest, accurate, and not misleading.

The sub-points include:

5.01 Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements: Psychologists do not

knowingly make public statements that are false, deceptive, or fraudulent
concerning their research, practice, or other work activities, or those of
persons or organizations with which they are affiliated. This applies to
various forms of public statements, including advertisements, brochures,
resumes, and comments in the media. Psychologists also do not make false
statements about their training, experience, competence, degrees,
credentials, affiliations, services, fees, or research findings. They should
only claim degrees as credentials for their health services if those degrees
were earned from a regionally accredited educational institution or were the
basis for psychology licensure in the state where they practice.

5.02 Statements by Others: Psychologists retain professional responsibility

for public statements that promote their practice, products, or activities,
even if they engage others to create or place these statements. They do not
compensate employees of media outlets in return for publicity in a news

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 item. Paid advertisements relating to psychologists’ activities must be
identified or clearly recognizable as such.

5.03 Descriptions of Workshops and Non-Degree-Granting Educational

Programs: Psychologists responsible for announcements, catalogs,
brochures, or advertisements describing workshops, seminars, or other
non-degree-granting educational programs ensure that they accurately
describe the audience, educational objectives, presenters, and fees
involved.

5.04 Media Presentations: When psychologists provide public advice or

comment via print, Internet, or other electronic transmission, they take
precautions to ensure that their statements are based on their professional
knowledge, training, or experience, are consistent with the Ethics Code,
and do not indicate that a professional relationship has been established
with the recipient.

5.05 Testimonials: Psychologists do not solicit testimonials from current

therapy clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular
circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.

5.06 In-Person Solicitation: Psychologists do not engage in uninvited in-

person solicitation of business from actual or potential therapy
clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular
circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence. However, this does not
preclude attempting to implement appropriate collateral contacts for the
purpose of benefiting an already engaged therapy client/patient or
providing disaster or community outreach services.

The section on Record Keeping and Fees in the Ethical Principles of

Psychologists and Code of Conduct addresses how psychologists should
manage professional and scientific records, as well as how they should handle
financial arrangements with clients. These guidelines ensure proper
documentation, confidentiality, and fair financial practices.
The sub-points include:

6.01 Documentation of Professional and Scientific Work and Maintenance

of Records: Psychologists create and maintain records and data relating to
their professional and scientific work to facilitate service provision, allow for
replication of research, meet institutional requirements, ensure billing
accuracy, and ensure legal compliance.

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 6.02 Maintenance, Dissemination, and Disposal of Confidential Records
of Professional and Scientific Work: Psychologists maintain confidentiality
when creating, storing, accessing, transferring, and disposing of records. If
confidential information is entered into databases, psychologists use
coding or other techniques to avoid including personal identifiers.
Psychologists also make advance plans to protect the confidentiality of
records in case of withdrawal from a position or practice.

6.03 Withholding Records for Nonpayment: Psychologists may not

withhold records under their control requested for a client’s/patient’s
emergency treatment solely because payment has not been received.

6.04 Fees and Financial Arrangements: Psychologists and recipients of

psychological services should reach an agreement specifying
compensation and billing arrangements as early as feasible. Psychologists'
fee practices must be consistent with the law, and they should not
misrepresent their fees. If there are limitations to services due to financial
constraints, this should be discussed with the client as early as feasible. If
the recipient of services does not pay as agreed, psychologists must inform
the person before using collection agencies or legal measures.

6.05 Barter with Clients/Patients: Psychologists may barter only if it is not

clinically contraindicated and the arrangement is not exploitative. Bartering
involves accepting goods, services, or other non monetary remuneration
from clients/patients in return for psychological services.

6.06 Accuracy in Reports to Payors and Funding Sources: Psychologists

take reasonable steps to ensure accurate reporting of the nature of
services provided or research conducted, fees, charges, or payments in
their reports to payors or sources of research funding. They should also
accurately report the identity of the provider, the findings, and the
diagnosis, where applicable.

6.07 Referrals and Fees: When psychologists pay, receive payment from,
or divide fees with another professional, the payment to each must be
based on the services provided and not the referral itself, unless in an
employer-employee relationship.

The section on Education and Training in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists

and Code of Conduct addresses the responsibilities of psychologists in
designing and conducting education and training programs. These standards

ethics code 9
 aim to ensure that programs are well-designed, accurate, and ethical, and that
they adequately prepare students for their future roles.
The sub-points include:

7.01 Design of Education and Training Programs: Psychologists

responsible for education and training programs take reasonable steps to
ensure that the programs provide appropriate knowledge and experiences
and meet the requirements for licensure, certification, or other goals
claimed by the program.

7.02 Descriptions of Education and Training Programs: Psychologists

ensure that there is a current and accurate description of the program
content, training goals and objectives, stipends and benefits, and
requirements for satisfactory completion of the program, making this
information readily available to all interested parties.

7.03 Accuracy in Teaching: Psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure

that course syllabi are accurate regarding the subject matter, bases for
evaluating progress, and the nature of course experiences. When teaching
or training, psychologists present psychological information accurately.

7.04 Student Disclosure of Personal Information: Psychologists do not

require students or supervisees to disclose personal information in course-
or program-related activities regarding sexual history, history of abuse and
neglect, psychological treatment, and relationships with parents, peers, and
spouses or significant others. Exceptions exist if the program clearly
identifies this requirement in its admissions and program materials or if the
information is necessary to evaluate or obtain assistance for students
whose personal problems could prevent them from performing their training
activities competently or posing a threat to themselves or others.

7.05 Mandatory Individual or Group Therapy: When individual or group

therapy is a program or course requirement, psychologists allow students in
undergraduate and graduate programs the option of selecting such therapy
from practitioners unaffiliated with the program. Faculty who are or are
likely to be responsible for evaluating students’ academic performance do
not themselves provide that therapy.

7.06 Assessing Student and Supervisee Performance: In academic and

supervisory relationships, psychologists establish a timely and specific
process for providing feedback to students and supervisees, informing the
student about the process at the beginning of supervision. Psychologists

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 evaluate students and supervisees based on their actual performance on
relevant and established program requirements.

7.07 Sexual Relationships with Students and Supervisees: Psychologists

do not engage in sexual relationships with students or supervisees who are
in their department, agency, or training center or over whom psychologists
have or are likely to have evaluative authority.

The section on Research and Publication in the Ethical Principles of

Psychologists and Code of Conduct addresses the responsibilities of
psychologists when conducting and reporting research. These standards aim to
ensure that research is conducted ethically and that publications are accurate
and honest.
The sub-points include:

8.01 Institutional Approval: When institutional approval is required,

psychologists provide accurate information about their research proposals
and obtain approval prior to conducting the research. They conduct the
research in accordance with the approved research protocol.

8.02 Informed Consent to Research: Psychologists inform participants

about the purpose of the research, their right to decline or withdraw,
foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing, potential risks,
benefits, limits of confidentiality, incentives, and who to contact with
questions. They provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions
and receive answers. For intervention research involving experimental
treatments, psychologists clarify the experimental nature of the treatment,
services available to control groups, assignment methods, treatment
alternatives, and compensation for participation.

8.03 Informed Consent for Recording Voices and Images in Research:

Psychologists obtain informed consent from research participants prior to
recording their voices or images for data collection unless the research
consists of naturalistic observations in public places where recording will
not cause personal identification or harm, or the research includes
deception where consent is obtained during debriefing.

8.04 Client/Patient, Student, and Subordinate Research Participants:

Psychologists protect prospective participants from adverse consequences
of declining or withdrawing from participation. If research participation is a

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 course requirement or opportunity for extra credit, equitable alternative
activities are offered.

8.05 Dispensing with Informed Consent for Research: Psychologists may

dispense with informed consent only where research would not reasonably
create distress or harm and involves the study of normal educational
practices, anonymous questionnaires, naturalistic observations, or archival
research with protected confidentiality, or studies related to job
effectiveness in organizational settings with protected confidentiality, or
where permitted by law or regulations.

8.06 Offering Inducements for Research Participation: Psychologists

avoid offering excessive or inappropriate financial or other inducements for
research participation that are likely to coerce participation. When offering
professional services as an inducement, psychologists clarify the nature,
risks, obligations, and limitations of those services.

8.07 Deception in Research: Psychologists do not conduct a study

involving deception unless it is justified by the study's significant
prospective value and effective nondeceptive alternative procedures are
not feasible. Psychologists do not deceive prospective participants about
research that is reasonably expected to cause physical pain or severe
emotional distress. Any deception is explained to participants as early as
feasible, allowing them to withdraw their data.

8.08 Debriefing: Psychologists provide a prompt opportunity for

participants to obtain information about the research's nature, results, and
conclusions, taking reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions. They
take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of harm if delaying or
withholding information is justified. If research procedures have harmed a
participant, psychologists take reasonable steps to minimize the harm.

8.09 Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research: Psychologists comply

with laws and regulations and adhere to professional standards when
acquiring, caring for, using, and disposing of animals. They ensure
appropriate consideration of the animals' comfort, health, and humane
treatment. Psychologists minimize discomfort, infection, illness, and pain of
animal subjects, using procedures causing pain, stress, or privation only
when alternatives are unavailable and the goal is justified. Surgical
procedures are performed under anesthesia, with techniques to avoid

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 infection and minimize pain. When terminating an animal's life is
appropriate, psychologists proceed rapidly, minimizing pain.

8.10 Reporting Research Results: Psychologists do not fabricate data. If

psychologists discover significant errors in their published data, they take
reasonable steps to correct such errors.

8.11 Plagiarism: Psychologists do not present portions of another’s work or

data as their own, even if the other work or data source is cited
occasionally.

8.12 Publication Credit: Psychologists take responsibility and credit,

including authorship credit, only for work they have actually performed or
to which they have substantially contributed. Authorship should accurately
reflect contributions, irrespective of status, with minor contributions
acknowledged appropriately. Students are typically listed as principal
authors on articles substantially based on their dissertation.

8.13 Duplicate Publication of Data: Psychologists do not publish, as original

data, data that have been previously published, unless accompanied by
proper acknowledgment.

8.14 Sharing Research Data for Verification: After research results are
published, psychologists do not withhold the data on which their
conclusions are based from other competent professionals who seek to
verify the substantive claims through reanalysis, provided confidentiality is
protected and legal rights do not preclude release.

8.15 Reviewers: Psychologists who review material submitted for

presentation, publication, grant, or research proposal respect the
confidentiality and the proprietary rights in such information of those who
submitted it.

The section on Assessment in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code

of Conduct focuses on the ethical considerations for psychologists when using
various assessment techniques. These standards emphasize the importance of
using valid and reliable assessments, obtaining informed consent, and
interpreting results accurately.
The sub-points include:

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 9.01 Bases for Assessments: Psychologists base their opinions in
recommendations, reports, and diagnostic statements on sufficient
information and techniques to substantiate their findings. They conduct
examinations adequate to support their conclusions, and when this is not
practical, they document their efforts and limit their conclusions
accordingly. When providing consultation or supervision without an
individual examination, psychologists explain this and the sources of
information used for their conclusions.

9.02 Use of Assessments: Psychologists administer, adapt, score,

interpret, or use assessment techniques appropriately, considering
research and evidence of their usefulness. They use instruments with
established validity and reliability for the population tested, describing any
limitations if such validity or reliability is not established. Assessments
should be appropriate to an individual’s language preference and
competence.

9.03 Informed Consent in Assessments: Psychologists obtain informed

consent for assessments, evaluations, or diagnostic services, explaining
the nature and purpose of the assessment, fees, involvement of third
parties, and limits of confidentiality. Exceptions include when testing is
mandated by law or regulations, implied as a routine activity, or to evaluate
decisional capacity. For individuals with questionable capacity to consent
or when testing is mandated, psychologists provide understandable
explanations. When using an interpreter, psychologists obtain informed
consent, ensure confidentiality and test security, and discuss any data
limitations.

9.04 Release of Test Data: Psychologists provide test data (raw and scaled
scores, client responses, notes, and recordings) to the client or persons
identified in a client release, but may refrain from releasing data to protect
from harm, misuse, or misrepresentation, while recognizing legal
regulations. In the absence of a client release, psychologists provide test
data only as required by law or court order.

9.05 Test Construction: Psychologists who develop tests use appropriate

psychometric procedures, current scientific knowledge, and professional
standards for test design, standardization, validation, and bias reduction.

9.06 Interpreting Assessment Results: When interpreting results,

psychologists consider the assessment's purpose, test factors, test-taking

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 abilities, and other characteristics like situational, personal, linguistic, and
cultural differences that might affect their judgments. They indicate any
significant limitations of their interpretations.

9.07 Assessment by Unqualified Persons: Psychologists do not promote

the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons,
unless for training purposes with appropriate supervision.

9.08 Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test Results: Psychologists do not base
decisions or recommendations on outdated data or test results, or on
obsolete tests and measures that are not useful for the current purpose.

9.09 Test Scoring and Interpretation Services: Psychologists offering

assessment or scoring services describe the purpose, norms, validity,
reliability, and applications of the procedures and any special qualifications.
They select scoring and interpretation services based on evidence of the
validity of the program and procedures. Psychologists retain responsibility
for the appropriate application, interpretation, and use of assessment
instruments.

9.10 Explaining Assessment Results: Psychologists take reasonable steps

to ensure explanations of results are given to the individual or designated
representative. This may not be required in some organizational consulting,
preemployment or security screenings, and forensic evaluations, provided
this has been clearly explained in advance.

9.11 Maintaining Test Security: Psychologists make reasonable efforts to

maintain the integrity and security of test materials consistent with law and
contractual obligations, and in a manner that permits adherence to the
Ethics Code. Test materials refer to manuals, instruments, protocols, and
test questions or stimuli, but do not include test data.

The section on Therapy within the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code
of Conduct outlines ethical guidelines for psychologists when providing therapy
services. These standards address informed consent, confidentiality, and the
maintenance of professional boundaries.
The sub-points include:

10.01 Informed Consent to Therapy: Psychologists inform clients about the

nature and anticipated course of therapy, fees, involvement of third parties,
and limits of confidentiality as early as feasible in the therapeutic

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 relationship. They also provide opportunities for clients to ask questions
and receive answers. If the treatment involves techniques that are not
generally recognized, psychologists must inform clients of the treatment's
developing nature, potential risks, available alternatives, and the voluntary
nature of their participation. If the therapist is a trainee, the client must be
informed of this, as well as the name of the supervisor.

10.02 Therapy Involving Couples or Families: Psychologists clarify which

individuals are clients and the relationship the psychologist will have with
each person at the outset. This includes the psychologist’s role and the
probable uses of the services or information obtained. Psychologists take
steps to clarify, modify, or withdraw from roles if potentially conflicting roles
become apparent.

10.03 Group Therapy: Psychologists describe the roles and responsibilities

of all parties and the limits of confidentiality when providing services to
several persons in a group setting.

10.04 Providing Therapy to Those Served by Others: Psychologists

carefully consider the treatment issues and the potential client’s welfare in
deciding whether to offer services to those already receiving mental health
services elsewhere. They discuss these issues with the client, consult with
other service providers when appropriate, and proceed with caution.

10.05 Sexual Intimacies with Current Therapy Clients/Patients:

Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy
clients/patients.

10.06 Sexual Intimacies with Relatives or Significant Others of Current

Therapy Clients/Patients: Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies
with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant
others of current clients/patients and do not terminate therapy to
circumvent this standard.

10.07 Therapy with Former Sexual Partners: Psychologists do not accept

as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual
intimacies.

10.08 Sexual Intimacies with Former Therapy Clients/Patients:

Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former
clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of
therapy. Even after two years, such activity is only acceptable in the most

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 unusual circumstances, with the psychologist bearing the burden of
demonstrating that there has been no exploitation.

10.09 Interruption of Therapy: When entering into employment or

contractual relationships, psychologists make reasonable efforts to provide
for orderly and appropriate resolution of responsibility for client/patient
care in the event that the relationship ends, with paramount consideration
given to the welfare of the client/patient.

10.10 Terminating Therapy: Psychologists terminate therapy when it

becomes reasonably clear that the client no longer needs the service, is not
likely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued service. Psychologists
may terminate therapy when threatened or otherwise endangered by the
client or another person with whom the client has a relationship. Prior to
termination, psychologists provide pretermination counseling and suggest
alternative service providers, except where precluded by the actions of
clients or third-party payors.

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