Conduct
We act with your best interest at heart
The CALM Center adopted this version of its Ethics Code during the April 8, 2019 session.
The current Code became effective on May 1, 2019.
1.01 Informed Consent to Therapy
(a) When obtaining informed consent to therapy, mental health counselors 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.
(b) When obtaining informed consent for treatment for which generally recognized techniques and procedures have not been established, mental health counselors 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.
(c) When the counselor is a trainee and the legal responsibility for the treatment provided resides with the supervisor, the client/patient, as part of the informed consent procedure, is informed that the counselor is in training and is being supervised and is given the name of the supervisor.
1.02 Therapy Involving Couples or Families
(a) When mental health counselors 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 mental health counselor will have with each person. This clarification includes the mental health counselor's role and the probable uses of the services provided or the information obtained.
(b) If it becomes apparent that mental health counselors may be called on to perform potentially conflicting roles (such as family counselor and then witness for one party in divorce proceedings), mental health counselors take reasonable steps to clarify and modify, or withdraw from, roles appropriately.
1.03 Group Therapy
When mental health counselors 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.
1.04 Providing Therapy to Those Served by Others
In deciding whether to offer or provide services to those already receiving mental health services elsewhere, mental health counselors carefully consider the treatment issues and the potential client's/patient's welfare. Mental health counselors 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.
1.05 Sexual Intimacies with Current Therapy Clients/Patients
Mental health counselors do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients.
1.06 Sexual Intimacies with Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy Clients/Patients
Mental health counselors do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients. Mental health counselors do not terminate therapy to circumvent this standard.
1.07 Therapy with Former Sexual Partners
Mental health counselors do not accept as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies.
1.08 Sexual Intimacies with Former Therapy Clients/Patients
(a) Mental health counselors do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.
(b) Mental health counselors do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. Mental health counselors who engage in such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy and of having no sexual contact with the former client/patient bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including (1) the amount of time that has passed since therapy terminated; (2) the nature, duration, and intensity of the therapy; (3) the circumstances of termination; (4) the client's/patient's personal history; (5) the client's/patient's current mental status; (6) the likelihood of adverse impact on the client/patient; and (7) any statements or actions made by the counselor during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a posttermination sexual or romantic relationship with the client/patient.
1.09 Interruption of Therapy
When entering into employment or contractual relationships, mental health counselors 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.
1.10 Terminating Therapy
(a) Mental health counselors 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.
(b) Mental health counselors may terminate therapy when threatened or otherwise endangered by the client/patient or another person with whom the client/patient has a relationship.
(c) Except where precluded by the actions of clients/patients or third-party payors, prior to termination mental health counselors provide pre-termination counseling and suggest alternative service providers as appropriate.