BPA Code of Ethics and Conduct

∗Code of Ethics and Conduct বিষয়ে প্রণীত ড্রাফটি মতামত প্রদানের জন্য আগামী ৩১.০১.২০২৬ তারিখ পর্যন্ত ওয়েবসাইটে থাকবে। সকলের পর্যবেক্ষণ ও সুচিন্তিত মতামত প্রত্যাশা করছি। ধন্যবাদ।

BPA Code of Ethics and Conduct – Draft

Introduction

The Bangladesh Psychological Association (BPA) is a professional organization committed to advancing psychology as both a science and a profession. In pursuit of this mission, BPA has developed this Code of Ethics and Conduct, which outlines the principles, values, and standards that psychologists must uphold in their professional activities. Therefore, written codes of conduct or ethics serve as a benchmark against which the behavior of professional psychologists can be judged.

Purpose of the Code

The code of ethics serves as a guide for psychologists in navigating complex ethical dilemmas and ensuring that they uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour in their work. This document is designed to promote and protect the welfare of the clients and research participants, while also promoting the integrity and credibility of the field of psychology.

Scope

This Code applies to all work-related, professional activities of BPA members, including research, teaching, counseling, psychotherapy, consultancy, and public service.

Implementation and Oversight

Following the adoption of this code, BPA is mandated to establish an “Ethics Committee”. This body will ensure adherence to ethical standards across all BPA programs and practices, monitor member compliance, and address potential violations.

The Four Ethical Principles and Key Standards

Ethical conduct is guided by four foundational principles—Respect, Competence, Responsibility, and Integrity- supported by actionable standards. Below is an overview of these principles, with expanded guidance.

1. Respect

Respect for individuals is a universal ethical principle, transcending cultural, geographical, and professional boundaries. It requires honoring the inherent dignity and autonomy of all people. Key standards include:

• Upholding Rights and Privacy: Respect the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of individuals and communities.
• Inclusivity: Demonstrate respect for all members of the psychological society, regardless of background, identity, or beliefs.
• Collaboration: Foster professional development and constructive collaboration among peers.
• Professional Communication: Use respectful and appropriate language in all interactions, whether verbal or written.
• Informed Consent: Prioritise clear communication and voluntary consent in professional relationships.
• Ethical Conduct: Refrain from personal attacks, spreading rumours, sharing confidential information, or engaging in disruptive behavior.
• Cultivate Empathy: Practice empathy, compassion, generosity, openness, distress tolerance, commitment, and courage in all engagements.

 

2. Competence

Competence requires a commitment to excellence and awareness of professional limitations. Members must uphold high standards in their work, ensuring they operate within the scope of their knowledge, skills, training, education, and experience. Key standards include:

• Boundaries of Expertise: Deliver services, teach, or conduct research only in areas where competence has been established.
• Qualifications and Care: Ensure qualifications, skills, training, and experience align with client needs.
• Acknowledge Limitations: Recognise the limits of one’s expertise and refer clients to other professionals when necessary.

• Continuous Growth: Actively pursue opportunities for continuing education and professional development to maintain and enhance competence over time.

3. Integrity

Integrity for a psychologist is the adherence to principles of professional and ethical behaviour.

In applying the above values, members should consider:

• Respecting Intellectual Property:  Respect intellectual property rights and use resources, materials, and information ethically and legally.
• Honouring Commitments:  Honor all commitments, including financial obligations and contractual agreements in a timely and transparent manner.

• Safeguarding Confidentiality: Protect sensitive and confidetial information and act with integrity in reporting research, offering opinions, and making decisions.
• Rejecting Sexual Harassment: Refrain from engaging in any form of sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

 

4. Responsibility

Responsibility means understanding and adhering to the ethical principles of the profession, as well as practicing in a manner that promotes the welfare and well-being of clients.

In applying the above values, members should consider the following key applications:

• Transparent Practices: Clearly disclose fee structures, billing arrangements, and payment expectations to clients at the outset of services.
• Accuracy and Confidentiality: Providing accurate and up-to-date information and resources, as well as safeguarding client confidentiality and privacy.
• Professional Development: Maintain professional standards through continuing education, self-reflection, peer consultation, and supervision.
• Ethical Conduct: Demonstrate ethical behavior in all professional and personal relationships.
• Legal Compliance: Follow all relevant laws and regulations, including those concerning privacy and informed consent.
• Accountability: Refrain from any conduct that could discredit the Association, the profession, or its members.
• Inclusivity: Refrain from engaging in harassment and/or discrimination, including based on gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, and disability.
• Preventing Exploitation :  Psychologists must not exploit persons over whom they have supervisory, evaluative, or other forms of authority, including clients, students, supervisees, research participants, and employees.

 

Commitment to Ethical Standards

All BPA members are expected to embody these ethical standards in their professional practice, contributing to the credibility, advancement, and service of the field of psychology in Bangladesh.

There shall be 15 points in BPA Ethics to ensure its Ethical standard. These are listed below:

1. Respect confidentiality.

In practical terms, this means that psychologists must take steps to protect their clients’ privacy, such as keeping all client records secure, ensuring that their communication with clients is kept confidential, and only sharing information with others when necessary and with the client’s informed consent.

Protecting confidentiality: Psychologists must protect clients’ privacy and confidentiality. This means not sharing clients’ personal information without their consent and using secure methods to store and transmit confidential information. Psychologists must also inform clients about the limits of confidentiality, such as situations where they may be legally required to disclose information, such as in cases of child abuse, harm to self or others, or court-ordered requests.

Overall, respecting confidentiality is a crucial aspect of a practicing psychologist’s ethical responsibilities, and it is essential to building trust and creating a safe and confidential therapeutic space for clients to explore their concerns.

Why It Matters:

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of trust in therapeutic relationships. By ensuring privacy, psychologists create a safe space for clients to address sensitive issues openly, fostering effective care and ethical integrity.

 

2. Do no harm.

Psychologists must uphold the principle of “Do no Harm” by prioritizing client welfare and minimizing risks in all professional interactions.  Its core Principles are:

• Client Welfare: Prioritize physical, emotional, and psychological safety as the foundation of all decisions and interventions.
• Power Dynamics: Actively mitigate imbalances in therapeutic relationships to ensure clients feel respected, empowered, and free from coercion.
• Safe Environment: Foster trust through nonjudgmental, empathetic communication, allowing clients to express concerns openly.
• Informed Practice*: Use evidence-based interventions aligned with clients’ needs, avoiding techniques that could cause foreseeable harm.
• Vigilance: Continuously assess for unintended consequences of therapy (e.g., dependency, re-traumatization) and adjust approaches proactively.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Recognize and address biases, stereotypes, or systemic barriers that could harm marginalized clients.

 

Why It Matters

“Do no harm” is the bedrock of ethical psychology. By centering client safety and autonomy, psychologists not only prevent harm but also cultivate a therapeutic alliance rooted in dignity and respect. This principle demands vigilance, humility, and a commitment to lifelong learning to navigate complex ethical dilemmas responsibly.

 

3. Professional responsibility and competence.

Exercising professional responsibility and competence means upholding ethical and legal standards, maintaining a high level of knowledge and skills, and providing quality services to clients.

Psychologists shall develop, maintain and encourage high standards of professional competence to ensure that the public is protected from professional practice that falls short in international and national best practice standards. Psychologists shall accept that they are accountable for professional actions in all domains of their professional lives.

 

Core Components of Professional Responsibility

• Ethical and Legal Compliance: Professional responsibility involves being aware of and following relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines. This includes protecting clients’ confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Documentation and Development: Psychologists are also expected to maintain accurate and timely records, as well as engage in ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in their field.

 

Defining Competence

Competence refers to possessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide effective psychological services to clients. This includes having a strong foundation in psychological theory, research, and practice, as well as being able to apply this knowledge to a wide range of clinical situations.

Psychologists should assess their own performance regularly, seek supervision or consultation when necessary, and ensure that their services are beneficial to their clients.

Overall, exercising professional responsibility and competence is essential for psychologists to uphold the trust and respect of their clients, colleagues, and the public, and to provide effective and ethical psychological services.

 

Specific Areas:

3 (a): Competency limits:

• Psychologists shall limit practice to areas within the boundaries of their competence based on formal education, training, supervised experience, and/or appropriate professional experience.
• Psychologists shall ensure that work is based on established scientific and professional knowledge of the discipline of psychology.

 

3 (b): Maintaining Competency:

• Psychologists shall maintain current competency in their areas of practice through continuing professional development, consultation, and/or other procedures in conformance with current standards of scientific or professional knowledge.

 

3 (c): Adding New Competencies:

• When psychologists are developing competency in a service or technique that is either new to the psychologists or new to the profession, they shall engage in ongoing consultation with other psychologists or relevant professions and shall seek and obtain appropriate education and training in the new area.

• When psychologists seek to expand into new areas, they should pursue appropriate education, training, or supervision and inform clients about the innovative nature and potential risks, so that clients can exercise freedom of choice concerning the receipt of such services or the application of such techniques.

 

3 (d): Emergencies and Extraordinary Circumstances:

• In emergencies, psychologists may offer services outside their typical area of competence if necessary to ensure access to care.

 

3 (e): Personal Problems and Conflicts:

• Psychologists shall refrain from undertaking professional activities when there is the likelihood that their personal circumstances (including mental, emotional, physiological, pharmacological, or substance abuse conditions) may prevent them from performing such professional activities in a competent manner.
• Psychologists shall be alert to signs of, obtain appropriate professional assistance for, their personal problems at an early stage in order to prevent impaired performance.
• When psychologists become aware of personal circumstances that may interfere with their performing professional duties adequately, they shall take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their professional duties.

1. 3 (f): Delegation of Work: Psychologists who delegate tasks must ensure that those to whom they delegate are competent, and that the tasks are appropriate and performed ethically.

Psychologists who delegate work to employees, supervisees, psychometrists, counselors, and research and teaching assistants, shall take responsible steps to:

• Avoid assigning work to individuals with conflicts of interest.
• Delegate only tasks within the delegate’s training/experience.
• Ensure competent performance through oversight.

 

4. Show respect for differences in culture, Values and beliefs

Psychologists must actively honor and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds, values, and beliefs of clients, recognizing how these factors shape their perspectives and experiences. This commitment requires:

• Cultivating Cultural Sensitivity: Adopting an open, non-judgmental approach to client interactions, free from assumptions or stereotypes.
• Continuous Learning: Proactively educating oneself about diverse cultures, belief systems, and values to deliver culturally appropriate care.
• Self-Awareness: Identifying and addressing personal cultural biases or preconceptions that may influence professional judgment or interactions.

 

Key Responsibilities

1. Client-Centered Collaboration:

• Respect clients’ right to self-determination by integrating their cultural values and beliefs into goal-setting and treatment planning.
• Work *with* clients—not *for* them—to ensure interventions align with their cultural identity and priorities.

2. Bias Mitigation:

• Regularly reflect on and challenge internal biases to prevent them from undermining therapeutic relationships.
• Seek supervision, training, or consultation to enhance cultural humility and competence.

3. Ethical Accountability:

• Acknowledge power dynamics in cross-cultural interactions and prioritize client autonomy.
• Adapt communication styles and interventions to respect cultural norms and preferences.

4. Do not exploit the client.

All practitioners to avoid taking advantage of their clients’ vulnerabilities, trust, or dependency for their own gain. Exploitation can take many forms, including sexual, financial, or emotional exploitation.

In practical terms, this means:

• Commitment to Client Protection: Psychologists must prioritize clients’ well-being and dignity, refraining from any form of exploitation—sexual, financial, emotional, or otherwise. This principle safeguards trust and uphold the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

 

• Professional Boundaries: Clear boundaries are essential to prevent harm or misuse of influence. Psychologists must avoid:
• Engaging in sexual or romantic relationships with clients.
• Sharing inappropriate personal details that shift focus away from the client’s needs.
• Accepting gifts, favors, or benefits that could compromise objectivity or create dependency.

 

• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Psychologists must avoid conflicts of interest that may compromise their objectivity, judgment, or effectiveness in providing services to clients. They must eliminate situations where personal interests might override client welfare. This includes:
• Refusing roles or activities that prioritize the practitioner’s gain (e.g., financial, professional, or social) over the client’s best interests.
• Disclosing and addressing potential conflicts transparently, even if unintended.

Overall, “do not exploit clients” is an essential ethical principle that psychologists must adhere to in order to maintain the trust and respect of their clients and the public.

 

6. 06. Obtain informed consent.

Informed consent means that the psychologist has provided the client with relevant information about the services to be provided, including the purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and potential outcomes. The client must then provide their voluntary and explicit agreement to receive the services based on this information.

In practical terms, this means

Providing information: Before providing services to a client, psychologists must provide them with relevant information about the services, including the purpose, nature, and expected outcomes. They must also provide information about any potential risks or limitations of the services.

Answering questions: Psychologists must be available to answer any questions that the client may have about the services or the informed consent process. They should provide the client with an opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns they may have.

Ensuring understanding: Psychologists must ensure that the client understands the information provided and that they are competent to make an informed decision about whether to receive the services. This may involve checking the client’s understanding of the information, clarifying any misconceptions, and addressing any concerns they may have.

Obtaining voluntary consent: Once the client has received all the necessary information and understands the services being provided, the psychologist must obtain the client’s voluntary and explicit agreement to receive the services. This means that the client must freely agree to receive the services without coercion or undue influence.

Overall, obtaining informed consent is a critical aspect of providing ethical and effective psychological services. It helps to ensure that clients understand the nature and purpose of the services they will receive, and that they are actively involved in the decision-making process.

 

7. Be transparent and honest with clients.

Being transparent and honest with clients is an ethical principle that requires psychologists to provide clear and accurate information to their clients about their services, fees, qualifications, and other relevant aspects of their practice. Here are some examples of what being transparent and honest with clients means to a psychologist:

Providing information: Psychologists must provide clients with relevant information about their services, fees, qualifications, and any other important aspects of their practice. This includes explaining the nature and purpose of the services, the fees and payment options, and the psychologist’s qualifications, training, and experience.

Disclosing conflicts of interest: Psychologists must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect their objectivity, judgment, or effectiveness in providing services to clients. This includes disclosing any personal or financial relationships with clients, as well as any other potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the course of the therapeutic relationship.

Explaining the treatment process: Psychologists must explain the treatment process to clients in a clear and understandable manner. This includes discussing the goals and objectives of the treatment, the methods and techniques that will be used, and the potential risks and benefits of the treatment.

Honesty in communication: Psychologists must communicate honestly and truthfully with clients, avoiding any false or misleading statements. This includes being transparent about the limits of their expertise, and acknowledging when they do not know the answer to a client’s question.

Overall, being transparent and honest with clients is a critical aspect of ethical practice in psychology. It helps to establish trust and respect in the therapeutic relationship, promotes informed decision-making, and ensures that clients receive professional and ethical services.

 

8. Avoid sexual and emotional relationships with clients.

Avoiding sexual and emotional relationships with clients is an ethical principle that requires psychologists to refrain from engaging in any form of sexual or romantic relationship with a current or former client. Emotional relationships are also discouraged, as they can lead to conflicts of interest and compromise the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. Here are some examples of what avoiding sexual and emotional relationships with clients means to a psychologist:

Not engaging in sexual contact: Psychologists must not engage in any form of sexual activity with clients, even if the client initiates the contact or gives their consent. Sexual relationships can cause harm to clients and impair the psychologist’s judgment, objectivity, and effectiveness in providing services.

Avoiding romantic involvement: Psychologists must avoid becoming romantically involved with clients, even after the termination of the therapeutic relationship. Romantic relationships can create conflicts of interest, impair the therapist’s judgment, and may lead to harm for the client.

Recognising emotional boundaries: Psychologists must recognise and maintain appropriate emotional boundaries in their relationships with clients. This means avoiding excessive emotional involvement or dependence on the client, and ensuring that they do not exploit the therapeutic relationship for their own emotional needs.

Termination of therapy: Psychologists must terminate the therapeutic relationship when it is no longer beneficial to the client, or when the potential for harm outweighs the potential benefits. They must not prolong the relationship for personal or other non-therapeutic reasons.

Overall, avoiding sexual and emotional relationships with clients is a fundamental ethical principle that protects the well-being and rights of clients, maintains the integrity of the therapeutic relationship, and ensures that the psychologist provides professional and ethical services.

 

9. Maintain appropriate boundaries in relationships with clients.

Maintaining appropriate boundaries in relationships with clients is an ethical principle that requires psychologists to establish, maintain, and respect professional boundaries in their interactions with clients. These boundaries are intended to protect the client’s well-being, preserve the integrity of the therapeutic relationship, and avoid any form of exploitation or harm. Here are some examples of what maintaining appropriate boundaries means to a psychologist:

Avoiding dual relationships: Psychologists should avoid engaging in dual relationships with clients, which occurs when a professional assumes a second role with the same person, such as being a therapist and a friend or business partner. Dual relationships can blur the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and may lead to exploitation.

Maintaining confidentiality: Psychologists must maintain the confidentiality of client information and protect it from unauthorized disclosure. They must not share clients’ personal information with others unless required by law or with the client’s consent.

Setting clear limits: Psychologists must set clear and appropriate limits in their relationships with clients to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings. This means establishing clear boundaries regarding the type and frequency of contact, the scope of the services to be provided, and the duration of the therapeutic relationship.

Avoiding conflicts of interest: Psychologists must avoid conflicts of interest that may compromise their objectivity, judgment, or effectiveness in providing services to clients. This means not engaging in activities that may benefit the psychologist at the expense of the client or otherwise compromise the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

Overall, maintaining appropriate boundaries is a critical aspect of ethical practice in psychology. It helps to promote a safe and respectful environment for clients, protects their rights and well-being, and ensures that the therapeutic relationship is based on trust, respect, and professionalism.

 

10. Respect the autonomy of the client.

Respecting the autonomy of the client is an ethical principle that requires psychologists to recognize and promote their clients’ right to make their own decisions and choices. It means that psychologists must respect the client’s right to self-determination, independence, and freedom in deciding their own goals and values. Here are some examples of what respecting the autonomy of the client means to a psychologist:

Respecting the client’s choices: Psychologists must respect the client’s choices regarding their treatment, goals, and values. They must acknowledge that the client is the ultimate decision-maker and must not impose their own values, beliefs, or goals on the client.

Providing information: Psychologists must provide clients with relevant information that enables them to make informed decisions. This means providing information about the treatment options, potential outcomes, and any risks or benefits associated with the services.

Encouraging participation: Psychologists must encourage and support the client’s participation in the treatment process. They must facilitate the client’s engagement, involvement, and feedback in their treatment plan.

Avoiding coercion: Psychologists must avoid any form of coercion or undue influence that may compromise the client’s ability to make independent and informed decisions. They must respect the client’s right to refuse or terminate treatment at any time.

Overall, respecting the autonomy of the client is a fundamental ethical principle that is essential for building a therapeutic relationship based on trust, respect, and collaboration. By respecting the client’s autonomy, psychologists can help clients develop a sense of control, empowerment, and self-efficacy, which can contribute to positive treatment outcomes.

 

11. Assesment:

1: Basis for Assessment:

Psychologists should use reliable, valid, and appropriate methods when conducting assessments and evaluations, and they should ensure that the results of these assessments are accurately reported.

2: Use of Assessments:

Psychologists administer, adapt, score, interpret, or use assessment techniques, interviews, tests, or instruments in a manner and for purposes that are appropriate in light of the research or evidence of the usefulness and proper application of the techniques

3: Use of Assessment tools whose validity and reliability have been established for the population tested.

When such specific or appropriate validity or reliability has not been established, Psychologists describe the strengths and limitations of test results and interpretations.

4: Appropriate language-based assessments: Psychologists use assessment methods that are appropriate to an individual’s language preference and competence, unless the use of an alternative language is relevant to the assessment issues.

5: Release of Test Data:

• Psychologists must be ready to release test data, or its interpretation to a qualified user, in such way so that the test data are not misinterpreted or understood in a faulty invalid manner.
• Psychologists may refrain from releasing test data to protect a client/Patient or others from substantial harm or misuse or mis-presentation of the data or the test, recognizing that in many instances release of confidential information under these circumstances is regulated by Law.
• In the absence of a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data only as required by low or court order.

6: Test Construction:

Psychologists who develop tests and other assessment techniques use appropriate psychometric procedures and current scientific or professional knowledge for test design, standardization, validation, reduction or elimination of bias and recommendations for use.

7: Assessment by unqualified persons:

Psychologists do not promote the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons, except when such use is conducted for training purposes with appropriate supervision [Note: Here needs to write a standard of ethical work-by the “Delegation of work to others”

8: Obsolete tests and Outdated test results:

Psychologists do not base their assessment or intervention decisions or recommendations on data or test results that are outdated for the current purpose.

12: Therapy

Psychologists must provide therapy that is evidence-based, appropriate to the client’s needs, and consistent with current professional standard.

1. Informed Consent to Therapy: Psychologists inform clients/patients as early as is feasible in the therapeutic relationship about the nature and anticipated course of therapy, fees, involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality and provide sufficient opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and receive answers.

When obtaining informed consent for treatment for which generally recognized techniques and procedures have not been established, psychologists inform their clients/patients of the developing nature of the treatment, the potential risks involved, alternative treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of their participation.

2. Therapy involving Couples or Families: When psychologists agree to provide services to several persons who have a relationship (such as spouses, significant others, or parents and children, they take reasonable steps to clarify, at the outset- (1) which of the individuals are clients/patients and (2) the relationship the psychologist will have with each person. This clarification includes the psychologist’s role and the probable uses of the services provided or the information obtained.

 

2. Group Therapy: When psychologists provide services to several persons in a group setting, they describe at the outset the roles and responsibilities of all parties and the limits of confidentiality.

 

4. Providing Therapy to Those Served by Others: In deciding whether to offer or providing services to those already receiving mental health services elsewhere, psychologists carefully consider the treatment issues and the potential client’s/patient’s welfare. Psychologists discuss these issues with the client/patient or another legally authorized person on behalf of the client/patient in order to minimize the risk of confusion and conflict, consult with the other service providers when appropriate, and proceed with caution and sensitivity to the therapeutic issues.

 

5. 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 employment or contractual relationship ends, with paramount consideration given to the welfare of the client/patient.

 

6. Terminating Therapy: Psychologists terminate therapy when it becomes reasonably clear that the client/patient 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/patient or another person with whom the client/patient has a relationship. Except where precluded by the actions of clients/patients or third-party payors, prior to termination psychologists provide pretermination counselling and suggest alternative service providers as appropriate.

 

13. Forensic Work:

Psychologists should use accurate and reliable methods when providing forensic services, including evaluations and expert testimony.

 

14. Research:

Psychologists must conduct research with integrity, using ethical research methods, and ensuring the well-being of research participants.

 

 

15. Fees and Financial Arrangements:

Psychologists shall ensure that their services are appropriately contracted and charged for at nationally determined rates, while not prohibiting the public from accessing their services. Psychologists shall always remain cognizant of their professional obligation to society shall not withhold services in emergency and dire circumstances because of the client’s inability to pay.

1. Fees Contracting:

• As early as is feasible in a professional or scientific relationship, psychologists and the client, or other appropriate user of psychological services shall reach an agreement specifying the compensation and the billing arrangements.

 

2. Overcharging:

• Psychologists shall not exploit the users of services or payers with respect to fees. Fees commensurate with the appropriate rate for their level of expertise and competence, as well as service rendered, shall be charged. Fees shall be consistent with the recommended national tariffs.

 

Here’s an abstract version of the ethical guidelines:

1. Cultural Sensitivity and Competence: Psychologists must respect cultural differences and seek further training or supervision to serve diverse clients effectively.
2. Supervision and Consultation: Regular supervision is essential to enhance clinical skills, promote self-awareness, and prevent burnout.
3. Professionalism and Integrity: Psychologists should communicate responsibly and professionally in all public platforms, ensuring their statements align with their expertise.
4. Prevention of Exploitation: It’s crucial to maintain equitable, non-exploitative relationships with clients, avoiding any manipulation or abuse of power.
5. Social Responsibility: Psychologists should contribute to societal well-being through advocacy, policy development, and addressing issues like discrimination and mental health stigma.
6. Duty to Warn and Protect: Psychologists must adhere to ethical and legal guidelines to protect clients or others from harm when necessary.
7. End of Treatment and Referrals: Psychologists must know when to terminate therapy or refer clients to other professionals if necessary.
8. Personal Development and Self-Care: Psychologists should engage in self-care practices to maintain their emotional well-being and competence.
9. Transparency in Research: Research must be conducted transparently, with proper disclosure of methods, funding, and potential conflicts of interest.
10. Client’s Right to Privacy: Psychologists must respect clients’ privacy outside therapy, ensuring no information is disclosed without consent.
11. Informed Consent: Informed consent should be obtained at the beginning and revisited throughout therapy and research.
12. Ethical Use of Technology: Psychologists must ensure confidentiality and professionalism when using digital tools or telehealth platforms.
13. Avoidance of Harm in Multicultural Contexts: Psychologists should be mindful of cultural differences and avoid imposing their norms on clients from diverse backgrounds.
14. Handling of Client Records: Records should be securely managed, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with legal guidelines.
15. Addressing Conflicts with Colleagues: Professional conflicts should be resolved respectfully and constructively, prioritizing client care.
16. Non-Discrimination in Service Delivery: Psychologists must deliver services equitably, free from biases related to race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors.
17. Competence in Specialization: Psychologists should work within their areas of competence and refer clients to specialists when necessary.
18. Commitment to Continuous Professional Development: Psychologists should engage in ongoing learning to stay updated on new research and ethical practices.
19. Exploitation of Vulnerable Clients: Extra care should be taken when working with vulnerable clients, ensuring ethical interactions free from exploitation.
20. Acknowledgment of Limitations: Psychologists must be aware of their limitations and refer clients to qualified professionals when needed.
21. Ethical Use of Psychological Testing Tools: Psychological assessments should be valid, culturally appropriate, and ethically used with clear communication about their limitations.
22. Cultural Humility: Psychologists should approach clients’ cultural experiences with humility and ongoing willingness to learn.
23. Prevention of Stigma and Bias: Psychologists should challenge mental health stigma and ensure a non-judgmental, inclusive environment for clients.
24. Collaboration with Other Professionals: Psychologists should collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care for clients.

These points provide a robust ethical framework for psychological practice, emphasizing respect for clients, continuous professional development, and societal responsibility.

 

Sources: (1): www.apa.org;

(2): www.bps.org;

(3): The Professional Board for Psychology: Health Professions Council of South Africa – Ethical Code of Professional Conduct.