About IAPST
Code of Ethics
The International Association of Psychosexual Therapists (IAPST) Code of Ethics is designed to provide guidance to all members in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct within the field of psychosexual therapy. The IAPST Code of Ethics is intended to complement and serve as an addendum to the code of ethics established by practitioners' licensing bodies and/or legal jurisdictions. All members are expected to uphold the ethical standards of both their respective jurisdictions and the IAPST. In any case of conflicting guidance, practitioners must prioritize adherence to the legal and ethical requirements of their licensing bodies and the laws governing their practice.
Professional Conduct and Patient Welfare
The IAPST is committed to promoting professionalism, ethical behavior, and science-based treatment, prioritizing the welfare of patients. As a member, you are expected to adhere to the following principles:
CODE OF ETHICS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHOSEXUAL THERAPISTS
1. Respectful and Ethical Conduct
1.1 Members will treat all patients, supervisees, and trainees with respect, honesty, and fairness.
1.2 Members shall avoid engaging in any form of sexual contact or intimate relationships with patients, supervisees, trainees, or their close contacts.
1.3 Members will maintain appropriate professional boundaries with current and former patients, as well as their close associates.
1.4 Members shall continuously assess and manage dual or multiple relationships to prevent harm and uphold professional integrity.
1.5 Members shall refrain from providing therapeutic services to intimate partners, family members, close friends, or associates.
1.6 Members will avoid emotional, financial, or any other form of exploitation of patients or others.
1.7 Members shall not misuse professional knowledge or power in ways that could harm others.
1.8 Members will address ethical conflicts with professionalism and responsibility, ensuring that all actions maintain the integrity of IAPST standards.
2. Patient-Centered Care and Responsibility
2.1 Members will refrain from imposing personal beliefs in ways that may distress or harm patients.
2.2 Members shall consider the diverse needs of all patients and make reasonable arrangements and adjustments to meet those needs.
2.3 Members will refer patients to another practitioner when it best serves the patient’s care.
2.4 Members will accept responsibility for the outcomes of their care, taking ownership of their decisions and actions. This includes regular follow-ups, monitoring treatment progress, and addressing any issues that may arise to ensure patient safety and well-being.
3. Continuous Improvement and Professional Competence
3.1 Members shall define professional competence as possessing knowledge of factors that influence a patient's social location, including age, gender, identity, national origin, religion, sexuality, ability, and socioeconomic status.
3.2 Members will maintain competence in all facets of their work, including clinical practice, management, and research, by engaging in continued education as necessary.
3.3 Members shall stay updated with professional knowledge and skills and engage in ongoing competence development.
3.4 Members will adhere to relevant guidelines, legislation, and regulations affecting their practice.
3.5 Members will acknowledge and work within the limits of their expertise, utilizing supervisor feedback for guidance.
3.6 Members shall seek the knowledge and skills necessary to serve the needs of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
3.7 Members will carefully evaluate the impact of self-disclosure, ensuring it benefits the therapeutic process.
3.8 When members do not possess the necessary knowledge or skills to serve their patients, they will seek additional education or consultation. In cases where the patient's needs are beyond the member's scope of competency, members will provide an onward referral to a qualified professional who can offer appropriate care.
3.9 Members will possess adequate language skills to communicate effectively with their patients. Using family members as interpreters is only appropriate if it is legally permitted in their jurisdiction.
4. Clinical Practice and Safety Measures
4.1 Members shall base therapy on comprehensive assessments of patients.
4.2 Members will ensure that therapy aligns with any concurrent treatments that patients are receiving.
4.3 Members will possess a working knowledge of local agencies that support and protect the populations they serve.
4.4 Members will seek ongoing supervision from experienced and qualified supervisors.
4.5 Members shall not endorse or promote forced conversion therapy.
4.6 Members shall not personally provide sexual surrogacy or engage in any bodywork that requires physical contact with patients.
4.7 Members will only recommend surrogacy with the approval of both their local licensing board and malpractice insurance provider.
5. Quality Assurance and Ethical Practices
5.1 Members will uphold confidentiality and data protection regulations.
5.2 Members will maintain adequate insurance or indemnity coverage for patient claims as their jurisdiction requires.
5.3 Members shall maintain accurate, legible, and timely clinical records.
5.4 Members shall plan well-managed terminations of therapeutic relationships when necessary.
5.5 Members will ensure that all research methods and practices are designed and conducted in accordance with academic, legal, and ethical guidelines, taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm to participants.
5.6 Members will respond promptly and honestly to all complaints while ensuring patient care remains unaffected.
5.7 Members will keep accurate, legible, and timely clinical records and store medical records as required by their jurisdiction.
5.8 Members shall adhere to all IAPST policies and procedures.
6. Upholding Professional Integrity
6.1 Members will act in a manner that upholds trust and confidence in the profession.
6.2 Members will evaluate the impacts of their actions or behaviors, especially in sensitive therapy areas.
6.3 Members shall adhere to IAPST policies and procedures.
6.4 Members will provide honest information about their qualifications, affiliations, and roles.
6.5 Certified members shall not reference their IAPST certification or membership alongside a college or university degree in any announcement, statement, or communication unless the degree is based on academic merit and issued by an accredited institution.
6.6 Members shall not make misleading statements concerning their IAPST certification status.
6.7 Members shall not equate IAPST membership to licensure or professional qualification.
6.8 Members shall clearly distinguish between personal statements or actions and those made as representatives of IAPST.
6.9 When making statements or acting on behalf of IAPST, members shall ensure that all statements and actions fully align with IAPST’s mission, vision, and values and have been approved by IAPST leadership.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Accountability
7.1 Members will respond promptly and honestly to complaints, ensuring patient care remains unaffected.
7.2 Members shall cooperate with lawful investigations related to their therapy practice and inform IAPST of any relevant developments within 14 days.
8. Confidentiality
8.1 Members will respect the privacy of all patients by ensuring that personal, medical, and sensitive information is kept confidential and shared only with authorized individuals involved in the patient’s care.
8.2 Members shall share patient information with external parties only when explicit, informed consent is obtained from the patient, except when required by law or in cases where withholding the information would cause harm to the patient or others.
8.3 Members will ensure that all patient records, whether digital or physical, are securely stored and protected from unauthorized access, loss, or theft in compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
8.4 Members shall limit information shared about patients to what is necessary for the intended purpose, striving to disclose the least amount of information possible to respect patient confidentiality.
8.5 Members are responsible for reporting any breaches of confidentiality or data security, whether intentional or accidental and for taking immediate steps to mitigate any harm caused to the patient.
9. Respectful Member Discourse
9.1 Members are encouraged to share their thoughts, questions, and ideas with colleagues, as well as research, opinion pieces, and clinical vignettes. The standards of academic freedom and free speech will guide member discourse.
9.2 Members shall conduct discussions, debates, and dialogues with respect and professionalism.
9.3 Members will avoid personal attacks, shaming, discrediting, or silencing of questions, beliefs, or shared research. Respectful disagreements and differing viewpoints are welcomed as part of a healthy discourse.