The psychotherapist is drowning, and all of its patients' lives flush before his eyes ....
Two fellow psychotherapists are cycling. Suddenly, one lost control of the bike, falls down, breaks hand. Second, successful in stopping the bike ran concerned:
“O ...do you really hurt ... maybe ... you want to talk about it?”
The psychotherapist takes walk in secluded area and sees two men reposing the banded third on rail. Sensitively approached, psychotherapist sais: - Gentlemen, maybe it's not my business, but trains don’t run this rail for two years...
LITHUANIAN PSYCHOTERAPY SOCIETY
CODE OF ETHICS
1.General part.
1.1. Psychotherapist is a specialist (doctor or psychologist) who works in a practical psychotherapy or psychological counseling work, after a special training.
1.2. Teacher of Psychotherapy is a psychotherapist who is recognized as the teacher of the theory and practice according the rules of the training institution
1.3. Candidate of Psychotherapy (psychotherapy student) is a specialist who studies psychotherapy at post-graduate education system recognized by LPS.
1.4. Psychotherapy student is required to carry out the training program targets, as well as to carry out ethical requirements of their profession and of this code.
1.5. Although psychotherapist qualifications are evidenced by its membership and by a certificate of psychotherapy institution it its expected that he will continue to seriously take care of his personal and professional growth. He must constantly evaluate their performance, if the need arises, seek professional supervision or personal therapy , and sometimes it can lead to suspension or even complete elimination of therapeutic work.
2.Confidentiality
2.1. All information about the patient or student what was learned by a psychotherapist during the therapy process is completely confidential.
2.2. All records (written, audio or video cassettes, computer records, etc.) must be properly protected and inaccessible to outsiders.
2.3. The use of audio or video recording technique or a one-way mirror is possible only under the agreement of patient or student and upon a clear definition of the objectives for which it is done.
2.4. If confidential information is required for any third side, it could be provided in the statutory manner way and informing the patient or student.
2.5. The information used for scientific purposes or for publications must be prepared and presented in such a way as to ensure complete anonymity.
2.6. Information about the patients or their families can be transferred to other professionals directly related to the situation (par ex. Family doctor, the Supervisor), after warning (informing) the patient.
2.7. In exceptional cases, if discovered information unveils undoubtedly imminent danger to the public or the person, psychotherapist must communicate this information to the competent authorities or officials.
3. The therapeutic contract.
3.1. The pursuit of the patient's or student's welfare and profit is the most important duty of a psychotherapist.
3.2. Before the conclusion of the contract, it is necessary to explain for the patient or student what the essential features of psychotherapy are, as well as briefly describe potential beneficial and harmful effects of this treatment method. If the patient or student accepts the proposed terms, it is possible to conclude a contract; but if the psychotherapist think that this method is inappropriate to him, or the candidate refuses psychotherapy they need to offer another therapist or other method of treatment.
3.3. The therapeutic contract must clearly define the limits of psychotherapy, working days and hours, vacation time, contacts between sessions, procedure of completion of the psychotherapy, financial issues, the possible need for medical aid or psychiatric counseling, etc.
3.4. The therapist must be aware of the potential personality and professional limitations and hindrances in their work, and when he saw them, must transfer the patient to another psychotherapist.
3.5. If psychotherapy does not provide the benefit to the patient or student, the psychotherapist need to stop the work, effectively "working through" the termination.
3.6. The relationship with the patient must be limited by the psychotherapeutic situation only. Any emotional, sexual or financial exploitation of a patient is intolerable.
3.7. Sexual contacts with former patients are intolerable, so psychotherapist has to continue their ethical obligations for at least one year after the end of therapy.
3.8. It is absolutely not allowed to comment and evaluate their colleagues' work in the face of patients.
3.9. Psychotherapist cannot work in state of alcohol or drugs intoxication, also in the situation as his age or health condition does not allow working fully.
4. Financial and legal working conditions.
4.1. Financial psychotherapist working conditions such as personal or institutional (insurance) payment for work, the question of missed or extra sessions, the impact of inflation compensation, etc. must be discussed with the patient or student before starting therapy.
4.2. If therapy is paid by the institution, to take an additional payment from the patient is prohibited.
4.3. Payment for colleagues who recommend patients for therapy is intolerable.
4.4. The fee for the work in private practice must comply with the real financial standards of society in which a psychotherapist works.
5. Advertising.
5.1. When psychotherapist announces its services he must define them just the way as his education, qualification and profession enables.
5.2. The promotion of psychotherapy services must comply with professional instead of the business world ethical standards.
5.3. It shall be prohibited to use misleading advertising, as well as to compare oneself with other colleagues.
6. The complaints and their handling.
6.1. Complaints affecting LPS members practice are handled by Ethics Commission elected during LPS Congress.
6.2. LPS member, who is subject of the complaint shall be informed of its contents, and must participate in the Ethics Commission meeting, if invited, and may participate in other meetings when a complaint is dealed.
6.3. Ethics commission shall submit its findings to the LPS Council, which can impose its member’s penalty: warning, reprimand, monetary forfeit, designated mandatory supervision or additional personal therapy, to suspend the membership of the LPS or even removal from LPS members, notifying of the reasons for the decision to the regulatory authorities of the profession.
6.4. Each accused LPS member has the right to ask another member of LPS (but not in the Council or the Ethics Commission) to be his adviser in the appeals process. This counselor has the right to participate in all stages of the complaint handling together with accused person or alone representing his interests.
6.5. LPS members must immediately inform the President of the LPS of the charges against them in court or potential litigation, if it relates to their psychotherapy practice.
