EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS ASSOCIATIONS

1. Preamble

Psychologists develop a valid and reliable body of knowledge based on research and apply that knowledge to psychological processes and human behaviour in a variety of contexts. In doing so they perform many roles, within such fields as research, education, assessment, therapy, consultancy, and as expert vitness to name a few.

They, also stive to help the public in developing informed judgements and choices regarding human behaviour, and to improve the condition of both the indivual and society.

The European Federation of Professional. Psychologists Associations has a responbility to ensure that the ethical codes of its member associations are in accord the following fundamental principles which are intended to provide a general philosophy and guidance to cover all situations encountered by professional psychologists.

National Associations should require their members to continue to develop their awareness of ethical issues, and promote training to ensure this occurs. National Associations should provide consultation and support to members on ethical issues.

National Associations should have corrective or disciplinary procedures to investigase and decide upon complaints against members.

The EFPPA provides the following guidance for the content of the Ethical Codes of its membet Associations. An Association's ethical code should cover all aspects of the professional behaviour of its members.

The ethical Codes of member Associations should be based upon - and certainly not in conflict with - the Ethical principles specified below.

2. Ethical Principles

2.1 Respect for a Persons Rights and Dignity

Psychologists accord appropriate respect to and promote the development of the fundamental rights, dignity, and worth of all people. They respect the rights of individuals to privacy confidentiality, self-determination and autonomy consistent with the psychologist's other professional obligations and with the law.

2.2 Competence

Psychologists strivee to ensure and maintain high standards of competence in their work. They recognise the boundaries of their particular competencias and the limitations of their expertise. They provide only, those services and use only, those techniques for which they are qualified by education, training or experience.

2.3 Responsibility

Psychologists are aware of the professional and scientific responsibilities to their clients, to the community,, and to the society in which they work, and live. Psychologists avoid doing harm and are responsable for their own actions, and assure themselves, as far as possible, that their services are not misused.

2.4 integrity

Psychologist seek to promote integrity in the science, teaching and practice of psychology. In these activities psychologists are honest, fair and respectful of others. They, attempt to clarify for relevant parties the roles they are performing and to function appropriately in accordance with those roles.

3. Content of ethical Codes of Member Associations

In the following Meta-Code the term 'client' refers to any person, patients, persons in interdependence or organisations with whom psychologists have a professional relationship, including indirect relationships.

Professional psychologists` ethical codes must take the following into account:

Psychologists' professional behaviour must be considered within a professional role, characterised by the professional relationship.

Inequalities of knowledge and power always influence psychologists` professional relationships clients and colleagues.

The larger the inequality in the professional relationship and the greater the dependency of clients, the heavier is the responsibility of the professional psychologist.

The responsibilities of psychologists must be considered within the context of the stage of the professional relationship.

Interdependence of the Four Principles

lt should be recognised that there will always be strong interdependencies between the four main ethical principles with their specifications.

This means for psychologists that resolving an ethical question or dilemma will require reflection and often dialogue with clients and colleagues, weighing different ethical principles. Making decisions and taking actions is necessary even if there are still conflicting issues.

3.1 Respect for Person's Rights and Dignity,

3.1.1General Respect

i) Awareness of and respect for the Knowledge, insight, experience and areas of expertise of clients, relevant third parties, colleagues, students and the general public.

ii) Awareness of individual cultural and role differences including those due to disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, language and socio-economic status.

iii) Avoidance of practices which are the result of unfair bias and may lead to unjust discrimination.

3.1.2 Privacy and Confidentiality

i) Restriction of seeking and giving out information to only that required for the professional purpose.

ii) Adequate storage and handling of information and records, in any form. to ensure confidentiality, including taking reasonable safeguards to make data anononymous when appropriate, and restricting access to reports and records to those who have a legitimate need to know.

iii) Obligation that clients and others that have a professional relationship are aware of the limitations under the law of the maintenance of confidentiality.

iv) Obligation when the legal system requires disclosure to provide only that information relevant to the issue in question, and otherwise to maintain confidentiality.

v) Recognition of the tension that can arise between confidentiality and the protection of a client or other significant third parties.

vi) Rights of clients to have access to records and reports about themselves, and to get necessary assistance and consultation, thus providing adequate and comprebensive information and serving their best interests.

vii) Maintenance of records, and writing of reports, to enable access by a client which safeguards the confidentiality of information relating to others.

3.1.3 Informed Consent and Freedom of Consent

i) Clarification and continued discussion of the professional actions, procedures and probable consequences of the psychologist`s actions to ensure that a client provides informed consent before and during psychological intervention.

ii) Clarification for clients of procedures on record-keeping and reporting.

iii) Recognition that there may be more than one client, and that these may be first and second order cliente having differing professional relationships with the psychologist, who consequently has a range of responsibilities.

3.1.4 Self-determination

i) Maximination of the autonomy of and self-determination by a client, including the general right to engage in, and to end the professional relationship with a psychologist.

ii) Specification of tbe limitts of such self-determination taking into account such factors as the, client`s developmental age, mental health and restrictions set by the legal process.

3.2 Competence

3.2.1 Ethical Awareness

Obligation to have a good knowledge of ethics, including the Ethical

Code, and the integration of ethical issues with professional practice.

3.2.2 Limits of Competence

Obligation to practise within the limits of competence derived from educatíon, training, and experience.

3.2.3 Limits of Procedures

i) Obligation to be aware of the limits of procedures for particular tasks, and the limits of conclusions that can be delivered in different circumstances and for different purposes.

ii) Obligation to practise within and to be, aware of the psychological community's critical development of theories and methods.

3.2.4. Continuing Development

Obligation to continue professional development.

3.2.5. lncapability

Obligation not to practise wlien ability, or judgement is adversely affected includine temporary problems.

3.3 Responsibility

3.3.1 General Responsibility,

For the quality and consequences of the psychologist's professional actions.

3.3.2 Promotion of High Standards

Promotion aud maintenance of high standards of scientific and professional activity, and requirement on psychologists to organise their activities in acoord with the Ethical Code.

3.3.3 Avoidance of Harm

Avoidance of tbe misuse of psycbological Knowledge or practice, and the minimisation of harm which is foreseeable and unavoidable.

3.3.4 Continuity of Care

i) Responsibility for the necessary continuity of professional care of clients, including collaboration with other professionals and appropriate action when a psychologist must suspend or terminate involvement.

ii) Responsibility towards a client which exists after the formal termination of the professional relationship, upon new contact with matters which derive from that original professional relationship.

3.3.5 Extended Responsibility

Assumption of general responsibility, for the scientific and professional activities, including ethical standards, of employees, assistants, supervisees and students.

3.3.6 Resolving Dilemmas

Recognition that ethical dilemmas occur and responsibility is placed upon the psychologist to clarify such dilemmas and consult colleagues and/or the national Association, and inform relevant others of the demands of the Ethical Code.

3.4 Integrity,

3.4.1 Recognition of Professional Limitations

Obligation to be self-reflective and open about personal aud professional limitations and a recommendation to seek, professional advice and support in difficult situations.

3.4.2 Honesty, accuracy

i) Accuracy in representing relevant qualifications, education, experience, competence and affiliations.

ii) Accuracy in representing information, and responsibility to acknowledge and not to suppress altemative hypotheses, evidence or explanations.

iii) Honesty aud accuracy, with regard to any financial implications of the professional relationship.

iv) Recogtion of the need for accuracy and the limitations of conclusions and opinions expressed in professional reports and statements.

3.4.3 Straightforwardness and Openness

i) General obligation to provide information and avoid deception in research and professional practice.

ii) Obligation not to withhold information or to engage in temporary, deception if there are alternative procedures available. lf deception has occurred, there is an obligation to inform and re-establish trust.

3.4.4 Conflict of Interests and Exploitation

i) Awareness of the possible problems which may result from dual relationships and an obligation to avoid such dual relationships which reduce the necessary professional distance or may lead to conflict of interests, or exploitation of a client.

ii) Obligation not to exploit a professional relationship to futher personal religious, political or other ideological interests.

iii) Awareness that conffict of interest and inequality of power in a relationship may, still reside after the professional relationship is formally terminated, and that professional -responsibilities may still apply.

3.4.5 Actions of Colleagues

Obligation to give a reasonable critique of the professional action of colleagues and to take action to inform colleagues and if appropriate, the relevant professional associations. if there is a question of unethical action.