Code of Ethics
This Code defines the standards of ethics in practice that the NCIP expects of all practitioners and that must be followed whatever their modality of practice and whether they meet clients face-to-face, online, or via any other medium of communication.
The term practitioner, means an individual member of NCIP in practice or in any form of institutional setting or running any form of training environment. The term client means any individual, couple, or group attending therapy or training.
The term therapy includes training with the organisation run by the member.
The standards set out in this Code of Ethics will guide the Complaints Process.
The practitioner commits to engage with the following principles:
- Act in their client’s best interests.
- Treat clients with respect.
3. Respect their client’s autonomy.
- Not having a sexual relationship or any sexual contact with their clients (See Clause 9).
- Not exploit or abuse their relationship with clients current or past, for any purpose, which includes emotional, sexual, or financial gain.
- Not harm or collude in the harming of their client or in the client harming others, includingthe practitioner and their property.
- Decline any substantive gifts, favours, money, or hospitality from clients that might be interpreted as exploitative and that are over and above agreed fees for therapy.“Substantive” in this context is understood to mean more than the value of one hour’s normal session fee.
- Where possible, minimise dual or multiple relationships that risk confusing an existing relationship and that may impact adversely on a client.
If this is unavoidable then take responsibility for clarifying and managing boundaries and protecting confidentiality. It is expected that the practitioner will seek consultation from their supervisor or guidance from the NCIP.
- Exercise all reasonable care before entering a personal or business relationship with former clients, taking into account the time that has elapsed since therapy ended. Such relationships could be social or commercial relationships between practitioner and client or a supervisory or training relationship running alongside the therapeutic one. Should any relationship form between the former client and practitioner be considered, it should be at least 3 months after the termination of therapy.
9A Guidance for Treating Individuals of the same Family.
Treating members of the same family individually can be complex and requires careful ethical consideration. It is generally advised to be avoided but can be acceptable under certain circumstances such as shared event trauma, a lack of specialist Practitioners in the area, client choice of Practitioner, or a significant time lapse between discharging one family member and commencing therapy with the second.
The Practitioner will need to ensurethey can maintain impartiality, and any potential conflict of interest that arises should be dealt with promptly and if necessary, brought up with their supervisor or the NCIP ethics committee.
Safeguarding concerns must always be addressed with NCIP guidance information.
Safeguarding Policy. This complex process could be further clarified here. Read More Here.
10. Make considered and timely arrangements for the termination of a therapeuticrelationship or if they are unable to continue to practice, ensure the client is informed and where practical, alternative therapists are identified.
11. Have arrangements in place for informing clients and where appropriate, providing support in the event of the practitioner’s illness or death in the form of a therapeutic executor.
B. External Relationships
12. Supervision and training must not be provided by close family members.
13. Practitioners must recognise that their behaviour outside of professional life may influence the therapeutic relationship with their clients. Practitioners must therefore take responsibility for critically evaluating these potential ethical boundary issues, including their communication via social media.
14. Refrain form derogatory statements or comments, implications and/or inuendo that disparages the standing, qualifications or character of colleagues or that brings them, the NCIP, other professional associations in this profession into disrepute, in their public statements, either written or verbal. The NCIP has a zero tolerance policy regardingharassment or abuse of staff, many of whom are volunteers and who represent a range of diversity.
15. As a member of the NCIP, aim to inspire public confidence within and outside of your professional life by behaving in a way that upholds the ethos, values and reputation of the NCIP and the psychotherapy, hypnotherapy or counselling professions as a whole.
B. Membership & Marketing
16. Do not use past or present patients or clients as references for their membership application. This breaches confidentiality and could be construed as exploitation due to the power imbalance.
17. Use, refer to, or display membership of NCIP only once they are in receipt of theirmembership certificate. This clause applies to all members, current or lapsed. It is the member’s individual responsibility to confirm their membership status with the Registrar.
18. Provide in their marketing and on request a clear and honest statement of the qualifications relevant to their field of practice and their NCIP registration. Practitioners who advertise their services should do so accurately and in a responsible and professional manner, without exaggeration.
19. Use testimonials, reviews, or any feedback from clients about treatment that serves in the same spirit, only in alignment with the Advertising Standards Agency guidance, with the protection of client confidentiality and no unsubstantiated claims made (see Clause 15). Client testimonials are NOT allowed in marketing materials for psychotherapists whilst they can be allowed for hypnotherapists and trainers, based on requirements of the Advertising Standards Authority.
20. Be sure the use of titles such as Doctor (Dr) and any post- nominal letters are accurate and not used to mislead the public.
21. Do not make any claims which cannot be demonstrated to be true. Practitioners should take an evidence-based approach, for example, using NICE guidance, peer-reviewed journal articles on therapeutic treatments, and use appropriate phrasing such as“there is current evidence and/or best clinical practice which suggests that…”
22. Explain to a client or prospective client their terms, fees and conditions and have information readily available to clarify other related questions such as the likely length oftherapy and possible methods of practice to be used.
23. Confirm each client’s consent to the provided services through a clear contract that includes the Privacy Policy prior to starting therapy. It is advised to make these contracts in writing although the NCIP acknowledges that on some occasions this may not be possible.
C. Competence & Supervision
24. It is vital that all members of the NCIP receive regular monthly supervision from an experienced supervisor according to the Rules set by NCIP guidelines. Supervision is a vital component of NCIP registration. In addition, members must also ensure they are regularly reviewing their practice within their supervision in line with current and emerging research evidence, supported by appropriate continuing professional development (CPD) activities. Supervisory details may be requested as part of the annual NCIP membership renewal, including the name of the supervisor and a record of supervision.
25. All members of the NCIP should only practise modalities and approaches for which they have direct training and experience. They should not offer any services which are beyond their professional competence. If a client has been identified as benefiting from an alternative service, then therapists should fully discuss this with clients and where necessary refer them to the most appropriate service that is needs-led.
26. The safety and well-being of all clients are a priority for all NCIP members. As such, theNCIP has a duty of care to ensure that this is met. No member should work with any client group if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They should avoid client work ifthey have impaired judgement because of prescribed medication. They should alsorefrain from client work if either their own physical or mental health prevents them fromdoing so safely.
D. Research & Records
27. If any research is to be conducted with current or previous clients, ensure ethical approval is sought from the NCIP or placed on file, or with evidence of approval from another professional body or academic institution that it is also placed on file with the NCIP,
28. Safeguard the welfare and anonymity of clients when any form of publication of clinical material is being considered. This includes situations where a client or former client might recognise themselves in case of material despite the changing of names or actual circumstances.
29. Make notes appropriate to the modality of therapy being practised and keep recordsthat are accurate, legible, and timely. These may be in paper form or electronic and they should be discussed only within appropriate professional settings, making sure the storage complies with GDPR data protection. https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data- protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation- gdpr/principles/
30. There are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality and circumstances under which confidential information might be disclosed to a third party. All clients must be informed of this at the onset of the therapeutic relationship (this may be as part of the written client agreement). Also informed if requested, or at the time of potential disclosure. This is in line with UK law which requires information about terrorism, money laundering or drug trafficking to be disclosed to the relevant authorities.
Information may also be shared with the client's registered General Practitioner, Social Services or Police when there is cause for concern regarding harm to the client or to others. In other, less urgent cases where the medical profession may become involved, the therapist must seek written permission from the client before breaking the confidentiality..
31. If information is requested from an external party for judicial or administrative proceedings, consider obtaining legal/ethical advice. If client consent is given to share such information, also consider taking advice to explore the potential impact this could have on the commitment to client confidentiality.
E. Diversity, Inclusion & Safeguarding
32. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) should be considered by the practitioner in all aspects of their work, including the impact of unconscious bias. This is an ongoing process of both self-inquiry and of continuing professional development. The NCIP's EDI Policy can be found Here.
33. Not allow prejudice regarding age, sex, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, race, disability, sexual orientation, religious, cultural, or political beliefs, social economic, pregnancy/maternity status, or immigration status to adversely affect the way the practitioner relates to the client.
The Government sanctioned list of protected characteristics is available here.
34. Avoid behaviour that could be perceived as abusive, coercive or detrimental to any client or colleague based on the above factors or clients or colleagues associated with someone who has a protected characteristic.
35. Safeguard children and vulnerable adults, by acknowledging and recognising your legal responsibilities concerning their rights and taking appropriate action should you consider any such person at risk of harm.
F. Compliance
36. It is also expected the registrant will maintain an awareness of and comply with all legal obligations and professional obligations as specified in the NCIP Code of Ethics.
37. Monitor professional practice in themselves and others, taking note of any concerns, in compliance with the NCIP Safeguarding guidance (Flowchart Here). Potential breaches of this Code should be reported to the NCIP and the complaints procedure should be followed.This is of particular importance when there is a concern of ongoing harm to clients or when significant risk of such harm is apparent to the practitioner. The Complaints Proceduredetails the appropriate route.
38. Be adequately covered by professional indemnity insurance for all their NCIP registered modalities of practice.
39. Co-operate with any investigation or inquiry from legal agencies or the NCIP relating to the practitioner’s psychotherapeutic practice (bearing in mind Clause 21).
40. Inform NCIP and any relevant organisational member if they:
- Receive a complaint from a client or on a client’s behalf, that exhausts or falls outside of the Registrants normal complaints process.
- Are convicted of a criminal offence, receive a conditional discharge for an offence or accept a police caution.
- Any complaint made, in process, or upheld by any professional association in health and social care. This also applies where NCIP members may have joint (or multiple) memberships with other professional psychotherapy organisations. Members should fully disclose to the NCIP any complaint upheld against them and imposed sanctions on their practice. This also applies if, at the time of joining the NCIP, they are the subject of any current and ongoing investigation (regardless of outcome).
d. Are suspended or placed under a practice restriction by another professional association, an employer or similar organisation because of concerns relating to their competence, health, or practice of psychotherapy.
41. Where applicable, make available all relevant information requested because of an investigation by any appointed Complaints Officer or Committee without hinderance implied or actual) or unreasonable delay and comply fully with all requirements inherent within any Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure. (https://www.the-ncip.org/complaintsprocess)
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