Counselling Code of Conduct

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Counselling Standards
Our charity believes that the counselling relationship is not an equal relationship, and that the most important person in the relationship is the client and not the counsellor. The Code of Conduct below is based upon the premise that the counsellor will always act in the best interest of the client.

1. Counsellors will always act in the best interest of their clients.

2. The counselling relationship is for the benefit of the client, and the emotional well- being of the client will be the paramount concern of the counsellor.

3. The number of counselling sessions will be kept to the minimum required to achieve those aims negotiated with the client during the contractual relationship.

4. Each counsellor is obliged to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, and to inform the client about the purpose/s behind the processing of their Personal Data as well as explaining the safeguards in place to keep this data secure, private and confidential.

5. Total confidentiality will be maintained, subject only to the following exceptions:

a) Disclosures with the express permission of the client.

b) Disclosures where the counsellor believes serious harm may befall a third party.

c) Disclosures that would leave the counsellor liable to civil or criminal court procedure if not disclosed.

6. Counsellors will be subject to the 'CCC' complaints procedure.

NB:
Some counsellors maintain confidentiality even if a client threatens self harm, but some counsellors do not. Counsellors should make clear to their clients exactly what level of confidentiality they intend to work towards - before the counselling relationship actually begins - and this will form part of the contractual, therapeutic relationship – whether this is via verbal or written agreement.

Para 5 allows counsellors to enter into a contract with their clients prior to commencement of counselling in which these and other exemptions to absolute confidentiality can be explicitly spelt out.

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This webpage is a public document, published by Counselling.
Published: 11-02-2007
Last Updated: 02-09-2010
Expires: Never Expires