Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy
The Ethical Framework is intended to guide the practice of counselling and psychotherapy by all members of the BACP. Being ethically mindful and willing to be accountable for the ethical basis of practice are essential requirements of membership of the Association.
The Framework considers Values, Principles and Personal Moral Qualities.
Values of Counselling & Psychotherapy
* Respecting human rights and dignity
* Protecting the safety of clients
* Ensuring the integrity of practitioner-client relationships
* Enhancing the quality of professional knowledge and its application
* Alleviating personal distress and suffering
* Fostering a sense of self that is meaningful to the person(s) concerned
* Increasing personal effectiveness
* Enhancing the quality of relationships between people
* Appreciating the variety of human experience and culture
* Striving for the fair and adequate provision of counselling and psychotherapy services
Ethical Principles of Counselling and Psychotherapy
* Being trustworthy – honouring the trust placed in the practitioner (fidelity)
* Autonomy – respect for the client’s right to be self-governing
* Beneficence – a commitment to promoting the client’s well-being
* Non-Maleficence – a commitment to avoiding harm to the client
* Justice – the fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services
* Self-respect – fostering the practitioner’s self-knowledge and care of self
Personal moral qualities
* Empathy
* Sincerity
* Integrity
* Resilience
* Respect
* Humility
* Competence
* Fairness
* Wisdom
* Courage
To read more log on to www.bacp.co.uk