2. 

Introduction
Ethical standards in couples and family
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
RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS
CONFIDENTIALITY
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY
RESPONSIBILITY TO STUDENTS AND SUPERVICES
RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PROFESSION
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
ADVERTISING
Conclusion
Reference

3. 
Much of the practice of couples and family therapy rests on the
foundation of systems theory, which views psychological problems as
arising from within the individual’s present environment and the
intergenerational family system.

The idea that identified client’s problem might be a symptom of how
the system functions, not just a symptom of the individual’s
maladjustment and psychosocial development, was a revolutionary
notion. The systems perspective views the family as a functioning
entity that is more than the sum of its members.

The professional practice of couples and family therapy is regulated
by state laws, professional specialty guidelines, ethics codes, peer
review continuing education, managed care, and consultation.

4. 
Practitioners are required to know and follow the ethics codes of their own professional
affiliation on matters related to couples and family therapy. In addition, many states
have their own professional organizations that outline ethical standards for the practice
of couples and family therapy, according to Corey, G., Schneider Corey, M., & Patrick,
C. (2011) Issues and Ethics in the helping professions (8th Ed) Ch. 7, page 451.

The ethical guidelines presented are a set of standards of conduct which the human
service professional’s educators consider in ethical and professional decision making.

RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS
CONFIDENTIALITY
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY
RESPONSIBILITY TO STUDENTS AND SUPERVICES
RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PROFESSION
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
ADVERTISING
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






5. 
Human service professionals negotiate with clients the
purpose, goals, and nature of the helping relationship prior to its onset
as well as inform clients of the limitations of the proposed
relationship.

Human service professionals respect the integrity and welfare of the
client at all times, each client is treated with respect, acceptance and
dignity.

Human service professionals recognize and build on client strengths.

Human service professionals represent their qualifications to the
public accurately, and will describe the effectiveness of
programs, treatments, and/or techniques accurately.

6. 
Marriage and family therapists have unique confidentiality concerns
because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one
person.

Therapist’s respect and guard confidences of each individual client.

Principle of confidentiality as it applies to couples and family
therapists entails that practitioners not disclose what they have learned
through the professional except; when mandated by law, when it is
necessary to protect clients from harming themselves or to prevent a
clear and immediate danger to others, when the family therapist is a
defendant in a civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from the
therapy, and when a waiver has previously been obtained in writing.

7. 
Marriage and family therapists maintain high
standards of professional competence and integrity.

Responsible clinicians keep abreast of developments
in the field through continuing education and clinical
experiences.

Many family counselors and therapists feel that their
preparation for professional work really begins when
they enter postgraduate training, usually at a family
therapy institute with a specific orientation to
practice

8. 
Marriage and family therapists do not exploit the
trust and dependency of students and supervisees.

Practitioners are cautioned to avoid multiple
relationships, which are likely to impair clinical
judgment.

Most family therapy training programs encourage
genogram work and other processes designed to
engage students with their own family of origin
issues.

9. 
Investigators respect the dignity and protect the
welfare of research participants, and are aware of
federal and state laws and regulations and
professional standards governing the conduct of
research.

Researchers must be carefully consider the ethical
aspects of any research proposal, making use of
informed consent procedures and explaining to
participants what is involved in any research project.

10. 
Human service professionals avoid duplicating
another professional’s helping relationship with a
client; they consult with other professionals who are
assisting the client in a different type of relationship
when it is in the best interest of the client to do so.

Marriage and family therapists respect the rights and
responsibilities of professional colleagues and
participate in activities that advance the goals of the
profession.

11. 
Marriage and family therapists make financial
arrangements with clients, third party payers, and
supervisees that are reasonably understandable
and conform to accepted professional practices.

Couples and family therapists do not accept
payment for making referrals and do not exploit
clients financially for services.

12. 
Ethical practice dictates that practitioners
accurately
represent
their
competence, education, training, and experience
in couples and family therapy.

Marriage and family therapists engage in
appropriate informational activities, including
those that enable the public, referral sources, or
others to choose professional services on an
informed basis.

13. 
In conclusion, human service offers assistance to its
clients within the context of their community and
environment. Human service professionals and those
who educate them, regardless of whether they are
students, faculty or practitioners, promote and
encourage the unique values and characteristics of
human services. The ethical guidelines presented are
a set of standards of conduct which the human
service professionals and educators consider in
ethical and professional decision making, according
to National Organization for Human Services.

14. 
Corey, G., Schneider Corey, M., & Patrick, C. (2011) Issues and
Ethics in the helping professions (8th Ed) Ch. 7

National
Organization
for
http://www.nationalhumanservices.org

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Human
Services.