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Ethical Standards & Practice Guidelines for Assessment, Therapy, Counseling, & Forensic Practice
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This page presents links to therapy, counseling, forensic, and related ethics (and practice) codes developed by professional organizations (e.g., of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family counselors). Codes are listed only if they appear online for the public without charge.
NOTE: Links to related resources are listed at the end.
"Awareness of the ethics codes is crucial to competence in the area of ethics, but the formal standards are not a substitute for an active, deliberative, and creative approach to fulfilling our ethical responsibilities. They prompt, guide, and inform our ethical consideration; they do not preclude or serve as a substitute for it. There is no way that the codes and principles can be effectively followed or applied in a rote, thoughtless manner. Each new client, whatever his or her similarities to previous clients, is a unique individual. Each situation also is unique and is likely to change significantly over time. The explicit codes and principles may designate many possible approaches as clearly unethical. They may identify with greater or lesser degrees of clarity the types of ethical concerns that are likely to be especially significant, but they cannot tell us how these concerns will manifest themselves in a particular clinical situation. They may set forth essential tasks that we must fulfill, but they cannot tell us how we can accomplish these tasks with a unique client facing unique problems. . . . There is no legitimate way to avoid these struggles."--Ethics in Psychotherapy & Counseling, 4th Edition (2011)
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for the Assessment & Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for Child & Adolescent Forensic Evaluations
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for the Psychiatric Assessment and Management of Physically Ill Children and Adolescents
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for the Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Medications in Children & Adolescents
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter on the Use of Psychotropic Medication in Children and Adolescents
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter on Gay, Lesbian, Or Bisexual Sexual Orientation, Gender Nonconformity, and Gender Discordance In Children and Adolescents
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy With Children
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Practice Parameter for Telepsychiatry With Children and Adolescents
- American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN): Policy on the Use of Non-Doctoral-Level Personnel in Conducting Clinical Neuropsychological Evaluations
- American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN): Policy statement on the presence of third party observers in neuropsychological assessment
- American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN): Practice Guidelines for Neuropsychological Assessment and Consultation
- American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN): Position of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology on Ethical Complaints Made Against Clinical Neuropsychologists During Adversarial Proceedings
- American Academy of Forensic Psychology: Specialty Guidelines
- American Academy of Psychiatry & Law: AAPL Practice Guideline for the Forensic Psychiatric Evaluation of Competence to Stand Trial
- American Academy of Psychiatry & Law: Practice Guideline for Forensic Psychiatric Evaluation of Defendants Raising the Insanity Defense
- American Academy of Psychiatry & Law: AAPL Practice Guideline for the Forensic Evaluation of Psychiatric Disability
- American Academy of Psychiatry & Law: Ethical Guidelines for the Practice of Forensic Psychiatry
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics
- American Association of Christian Counselors: Code of Ethics
- American Association of Pastoral Counselors: Code of Ethics
- American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists: Code of Ethics
- American Bar Association & American Psychological Association: Assessment of Older Adults With Dimished Capacity: A Handbook for Lawyers
- American Bar Association, American Psychological Association, & National College of Probate Judges: Judicial Determination of Capacity of Older Adults in Guardianship Proceedings
- American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work: Clinical Social Work Standards for Delivery of Care and Guidelines for the Three-Party Model of Clinical Social Work Services
- American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work: Professional Development & Practice Competencies in Clinical Social Work
- American Board of Independent Medical Examiners: Guidelines of Conduct
- American College Personnel Association: Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards
- American Counseling Association: Code of Ethics
- American Counseling Association: Layperson's Guide to Counselor Ethics
- American Group Psychotherapy Association: Guidelines for Ethics
- American Group Psychotherapy Association: Practice Guidelines for Group Psychotherapy
- American Medical Association: Guidelines for Patient-Physician Electronic Mail
- American Medical Association: Principles of Medical Ethics
- American Medical Informatics Association: Guidelines for the Clinical Use of Electronic Mail with Patients
- American Mental Health Counselors Association: Code of Ethics
- American Music Therapy Association: Code of Ethics
- American Nursing Association: Code of Ethics for Nurses
- American Psychiatric Association: 2013 Principles of Medical Ethics With Annotations Especially Applicable to Psychiatry
- American Psychiatric Association: Opinions of the Ethics Committee on The Principles of Medical Ethics
- American Psychoanalytic Association: Principles & Standards of Ethics for Psychoanalysts
- American Psychological Association: Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Assessment of and Intervention with Persons with Disabilities
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive Decline
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for the Practice of Parenting Coordination
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Psychological Evaluations in Child Protection Matters
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Girls and Women
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Psychological Practice in Health Care Delivery Systems
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Clients [replaced by Practice Guidelines for LGB Clients]
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines on Multicultural Education,Training, Research, Practice, and Organizational Change for Psychologists
- American Psychological Association: Record Keeping Guidelines
- American Psychological Association: Report from APA Working Group on Assisted Suicide and End-of-Life Decisions
- American Psychological Association: Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists’ Involvement in Pharmacological Issues
- American Psychological Association: Report of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security
- American Psychological Association: Resolution on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
- American Psychological Association: Rights and Responsibilities of Test Takers: Guidelines and Expectations
- American School Counselor Association: Ethical Standards for School Counselors
- American Telemedicine Association (ATA): Evidence-Based Practice for Telemental Health
- American Telemedicine Association (ATA): Practice Guidelines for Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health
- Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback:Ethical Principles of Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback
- Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology: Code of Ethics
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts: Guidelines for Brief Focused Assessment
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts: Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts: Model Standards of Practice for Child Custody Evaluation
- Association for Specialists in Group Work: Best Practice Guidelines 2007 Revisions
- Association for Specialists in Group Work: Principles for Diversity-Competent Group Workers
- Association for Specialists in Group Work: Professional Standards for the Training of Group Workers
- Association for Counselling and Therapy Online: Professional Conduct & Code of Ethics
- Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers: Professional Code of Ethics
- Association of Clinical Pastoral Education: Standards & Ethics Manual
- Association of Professional Chaplains: Code of Ethics
- Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards: Code of Conduct
- Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards: Guidelines for Prescriptive Authority
- Australian Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics
- Australian Association of Social Workers: Practice Standards for Mental Health Social Workers
- Australian Association of Social Workers: Practice Standards for Supervision
- Australian Psychological Society: Code of Ethics
- Australian Psychological Society: Ethical Guidelines
- British Columbia Association for Clinical Counsellors: Code of Ethical Conduct & Standards of Clinical Practice
- British Columbia College of Psychologists: Billing for Services That Are Psychological in Nature but Rendered by a Non-Registrant
- British Columbia College of Psychologists: Code of Conduct
- British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy: Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy
- British Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics for Social Work
- British Psychological Society: Ethics, Rules, Charter, Code of Conduct
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists: Ethical Standards
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences: Notice to California Consumers Regarding Online Psychotherapy
- California Board of Psychology: Information on Telepsychology
- California Society for Clinical Social Work: Ethical Standards of the Clinical Social Work Federation
- Canadian Academy of Psychologists in Disability Assessment: Practice Standards for the Psychological Assessment of Disability & Impairment
- Canadian Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics
- Canadian Association of Social Workers: Guidelines for Ethical Practice
- Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association: Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice
- Canadian Medical Association: Code of Ethics
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: The CMA Code of Ethics Annotated for Psychiatrists
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of Anxiety Disorders
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Clinical Practice Guidelines: Treatment of Depressive Disorders
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Confidentiality of Psychiatric Records and the Patient’s Right to Privacy
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Duty To Protect
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Fiduciary Duty of Psychiatrists
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Implications for Psychiatrists of the Supreme Court of Canada Starson v. Swayze Decision
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide
- Canadian Psychiatric Association: Psychiatrist’s Role in Addressing Stigma and Discrimination
- Canadian Psychoanalytic Society: Principles of Ethics for Psychoanalysis
- Canadian Psychological Association: Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (3rd edition)
- Canadian Psychological Association: Ethical Guidelines for Psychologists Providing Psychological Services via Electronic Media
- Canadian Psychological Association: Ethical Guidelines for Supervision in Psychology: Teaching, Research, Practice, and Administration
- Canadian Psychological Association: Guidelines for Ethical Psychological Practice with Women
- Canadian Psychological Association: Guidelines for Nondiscriminatory Practice
- Canadian Psychological Association: Guidelines for Professional Practice for School Psychologists
- Canadian Psychological Association: Practice Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services
- Canadian Psychological Association: Presence of Involved Third Party Observer in Neuropsychological Assessments
- Canadian Psychological Association: Providing Psychological Services via Electronic Media
- Canadian Psychological Association: Working with the Media - Guidelines for Psychologists
- Catholic Church: Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services
- Christian Association for Psychological Studies: Ethics Statement
- Clinical Social Work Association: Code of Ethics
- Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification: Code of Professional Ethics
- Employee Assistance Professionals Association: Standards & Professional Guidelines
- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association: Code of Ethics for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
- European Association for Body-Psychotherapy: Ethical Guidelines & Code
- European Federation of Psychologists' Associations: Meta-Code of Ethics
- Family Therapy Association of Ireland: Code of Ethics
- Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States: Addressing Sexual Boundaries - Guidelines for State Medical Boards
- Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States: Model Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of the Internet in Medical Practice
- German Psychological Society (DGP) and the Association of German Professional Psychologists (BDP):Ethical Principles & Code of Conduct of the Association of German Professional Psychologists
- Health On The Net Foundation: Code of Conduct for Medical & Health Web Sites
- India's National Academy of Psychology (NAOP): Ethical Principles for Psychologists
- International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (Formerly American Association for Correctional Psychology): Standards for Psychology Services in Jails, Prisons, Correctional Facilities, and Agencies
- International Association of Applied Psychology: Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists
- International Association of Chiefs of Police: Psychological Services Section: Guidelines for Consulting Police Psychologists
- International Association of Chiefs of Police: Collection of Guidelines:
(a) Pre-employment Psychological Evaluation Services Guidelines;
(b) Officer-Involved Shooting Guidelines;
(c) Peer Support Guidelines;
(d) Psychological Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation Guidelines - International Association of Forensic Nurses: Vision of Ethical Practice
- International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors: Ethical Code
- International Federation of Social Workers: Ethics of Social Work -- Statement of Principles (2012)
- International School Psychology Association (ISPA): ISPA Code of Ethics
- International Society for Coaching Psychology (ISCP): Code of Ethics
- International Society for Mental Health Online: Suggested Principles for the Online Provision of Mental Health Services
- International Society for the Study of Dissociation:Treatment Guidelines: Adults With Dissociative Identity Disorder
- International Society for the Study of Dissociation: Treatment Guidelines: Children With Dissociative Symptoms
- International Union of Psychological Science: Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists
- Irish Association for Counseling & Psychotherapy: Code of Ethics & Practice forCounsellors/Psychotherapists
- Joint Committee on Testing Practices: Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education
- National Academies of Practice: Ethical Guidelines for Professional Care and Services in a Managed Health Care Environment
- National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), India: Ethical Principles for Psychologists
- National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC): Code of Ethics
- National Association of Forensic Counselors: Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct
- National Association of School Psychologists: Professional Conduct Manual--Principles for Professional Ethics
- National Association of Social Workers: Code of Ethics
- National Association of Social Workers & Association of Social Work Boards: Standards for Technology and Social Work Practice
- National Board for Certified Counselors: Code of Ethics
- National Board for Certified Counselors & Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc.: The Practice of Internet Counseling
- National Career Development Association: Ethical Standards
- National Council for Hypnotherapy: Code of Ethics & Conduct
- National Organization of Forensic Social Work: Code of Ethics
- National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists: Guidelines for Ethics
- National Student Nurses Association: Code of Professional Conduct
- New Zealand Association of Counsellors: Code of Ethics
- New Zealand Psychological Society: Code of Ethics
- New Zealand Psychologists Board: Draft Guidelines: Psychology Services Delivered Via the Internet & Other Electronic Media
- Ohio Psychological Association: Telepsychology Guidelines
- Online Therapy Institute: Ethical Framework for the Use of Social Media by Mental Health Professionals
- Psychological Society of Ireland: Code of Professional Ethics
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists: Code of Ethics
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists:Guide to ethical principles in the relationship between psychiatrists and the health care industry
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists: Zero Tolerance Policy on Proven Sexual Boundary Violations
- Society for Research in Child Development: Ethical Standards for Research with Children
- Toronto Psychoanalytic Society & Institute: Principles of Ethics
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Final Rule for Telemedicine Credentialing & Privileging
- World Medical Association: Ethics Policies
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Related Resources:
- Ethics in Psychology: 7 Essentials
- Telepsychology, Telehealth, & Internet-Based Therapy: Research Studies & Sets of Professional Guidelines
- Links to psychology laws & licensing boards in Canada & the U.S.
- Are the American Psychological Assocation's Detainee Interrogation Policies Ethical & Effective? Key Claims, Documents, & Results
- Informed Consent in Psychotherapy & Counseling: New Standards, Sample Forms, & References
- 17 Steps in Ethical Decision-Making
- A Practical Approach to Boundaries in Psychotherapy: Making Decisions, Bypassing Blunders, and Mending Fences (by Pope & Keith-Spiegel)
- Boundaries in Psychotherapy: Standards, Guidelines, Widely-Used Decision-Making Guides, & References
- Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide (4th Edition) (by Pope & Vasquez)
- Nonsexual Multiple Relationships: A Practical Decision-Making Model For Clinicians (a guide by Janet L. Sonne)
- National study of the ethical dilemmas encountered by APA members (American Psychologist)
- National study of the ethical beliefs & behaviors of psychologists as therapists (American Psychologist)
- National study of the ethical beliefs & behaviors of psychologists as professors (American Psychologist)
- Dr. Carolyn Payton's statement about the APA ethics code
