IAEBP - Code of Practice and Ethics
Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
All Associates, Members, Accredited Members and Fellows of the International Association of Evidence Based Psychotherapy (IAEBP) agree to adhere to the following guidelines.
This Code of Ethics and Conduct consists of guidelines rather than enforceable rules. In coming to a decision about undertaking a particular course of action, you are expected to consider the impact of that action within its particular context, using this code as guidance. We recognise that different individuals, situations and contexts may require contrasting courses of action and we want our members to make informed and considered decisions, rather than indiscriminately following a set of rules. This code is not all-encompassing — it cannot provide a definitive solution to every possible ethical dilemma that those working within the therapeutic profession may face.
In writing these guidelines, the ethical codes of the British Psychological Society, the American Psychological Association and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy were consulted.
Ethical Principles
Our Code of Ethics and Conduct is based around three main principles:
1. Respect
Practitioners should uphold the importance of the dignity and worth of all individuals and their rights to privacy, confidentiality and self-determination.
2. Responsibility
Practitioners should strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. They should value their responsibilities towards their clients, the general public and the organisation. When conflicts arise in the course of their professional interactions, they should endeavour to resolve these conflicts in a responsible manner, referring to this code for guidance. Practitioners should also be committed to maintaining high standards of competence. They should regularly complete ongoing training and recognise and practise within the limits of their current capabilities.
3. Honesty
Practitioners should endorse the values of truthfulness, accuracy and clarity within their professional interactions. They should seek to make any commitments clear and reasonable and endeavour to uphold these commitments.
General Guidelines
1. The Promotion of Equality
Practitioners should:
a) Be aware of and respect individual, cultural, social and role differences, including, but not limited to, those based upon age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and religion.
b) Avoid practices that are discriminatory, unfair or prejudiced.
2. The Promotion of Clients' Autonomy and Informed Consent
Practitioners should:
a) Endeavour to promote self-determination in clients, whilst realising that there may be limits imposed upon this by clients' personal characteristics, mental state or circumstances. In relation to this, practitioners should:
i) Seek to involve clients in decisions about any treatment or professional service undertaken and endeavour to reach a mutual agreement surrounding the process.
ii) Keep clients informed upon the progress of any treatment or therapy, unless there is good reason not to do so.
iii) Ensure that clients are aware of their right to withdraw from the receipt of professional services at any point.
b) Do their utmost to ensure that all clients (especially vulnerable adults and children) understand the nature, purpose and potential outcomes of undertaking any therapy, treatment or professional service. In relation to this, practitioners should ensure that they:
i) Make clients aware of the costs and likely duration of any professional services offered.
ii) Explain to clients the role that they will be required to play within any therapy, treatment or receipt of professional service (for example, informing them of the need to carry out homework exercises between sessions), prior to engaging in any treatment.
c) Endeavour to obtain informed consent from all clients and keep adequate records of this consent. A contract or agreement should be drawn up with clients.
d) When treating children under the age of 16, consent should additionally be obtained from a parent or guardian.
e) Where it is impossible to obtain informed consent from a client (such as in the case of very young children or those who lack the intellectual capacity to truly consent), consent should be obtained from parents, guardians, family members or authorised representatives.
3. Standards of Privacy and Confidentiality
Practitioners should:
a) Keep appropriate records.
b) Store confidential information in a manner that is secure.
c) Respect all individuals' rights to privacy and confidentiality. Practitioners should avoid publishing or declaring any information relating to any client or former client in a form that is likely to identify that person, except with informed consent, unless there is good reason to do so.
d) Understand that there are potentially limitations to confidentiality, including:
i) Conflicting legal or ethical obligations — for example, information revealed by a client that engages safeguarding duties under the Children Act 1989/2004, obligations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, or duties under the Terrorism Act 2000.
ii) The potential need to consult with colleagues about a client in order to enhance the professional services being offered. In this case, anonymity should be maintained wherever possible.
e) Endeavour to restrict breaches of confidentiality to health, welfare and safety concerns.
f) Ensure that clients are aware of the possible limits of confidentiality.
g) Obtain informed consent to breach confidentiality, unless there are good reasons not to do so (for example, in the safeguarding cases described above).
h) Obtain informed consent to make any audio or video recordings of clients.
4. Beneficence
Practitioners should:
a) Act in the best interests of their clients, striving to promote their wellbeing at all times.
b) Endeavour to treat clients in a manner that is likely to assist them in the quickest, easiest and most effective way, taking into account the clients' goals, capabilities and expectations.
c) Do all that they reasonably can to help a client, without putting themselves or others at risk.
5. Non-Maleficence
Practitioners should:
a) Avoid or minimise harm to clients.
b) Avoid taking on clients for any form of treatment or therapy if they do not reasonably believe that they can assist them, or believe that the treatment or therapy could be detrimental. In relation to this, practitioners should:
i) Explain, in an appropriate manner, why they believe that they are unable to be of assistance.
ii) Refer these individuals to another source of assistance, such as their General Practitioner.
c) Maintain close communication with their supervisor in cases where they reasonably believe that they can be of assistance to an individual, but that there may be significant potential risks associated with this (such as in the case of clients with a history of psychosis or suicidal ideation). In such cases, it may be necessary to consult and cooperate with other professionals regarding treatment. It may also be appropriate to request that such clients ask their GP to give written agreement to their undergoing the treatment.
d) Discharge from treatment, or refer on to another reputable practitioner, at the earliest possible moment consistent with the good care of the client.
e) Ensure that the termination of a professional relationship is managed safely, with follow-up or support opportunities presented.
f) Ensure that they have a current DBS check, promoting good practice when working with vulnerable people.
g) Where clients have diagnosed physical conditions that may present risks during psychological treatment (such as diabetes or epilepsy), ensure that there is a plan in place for dealing with any medical emergencies.
h) Maintain personal boundaries, including:
i) Keeping professional distance from clients.
ii) Avoiding engaging in any sexual relations with clients.
iii) Avoiding any type of harassment.
i) Avoid exploitation and conflicts of interest. In relation to this, practitioners should:
i) Be aware of conflicts that may occur from multiple relationships — for example, seeing those with whom they already have a personal relationship (such as friends, family members or partners) for professional services.
ii) Refrain from abusing professional relationships for their own interests.
iii) Be aware that power imbalances in the relationship with former clients may remain even after the professional relationship has been terminated.
j) Work within the law.
k) Avoid bringing the organisation into disrepute. This includes, but is not limited to:
i) Paying the annual membership fees on or before the due date. In the absence of payment, membership shall lapse and benefits of membership shall cease. Practitioners must not advertise themselves as belonging to the IAEBP unless they have paid their annual fees.
ii) Never using their membership of the IAEBP as any form of accreditation for any commercial activity other than the establishment of a bona fide private practice in psychotherapy.
iii) Never using membership of the IAEBP as any form of accreditation for the teaching of psychotherapeutic techniques, unless all details of such teaching have been submitted to and approved by the Council of Management.
l) Maintain professional indemnity insurance (minimum £2,000,000 cover) and only conduct a private practice in psychotherapeutic techniques upon receipt of clear evidence that they are covered by such a policy.
6. Standards of Competence
Practitioners should:
a) Recognise the limits of their competence and operate within these limits. In relation to this, practitioners should:
i) Be aware of the potential effects of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help others.
ii) Seek to develop self-awareness, including insights into their own personality and an understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses.
b) Keep abreast of current knowledge and best practices and engage in continuing professional development.
c) Engage in professional supervision and personal support. In relation to this:
i) Professional supervision relates to practitioners engaging in a professional relationship with an experienced practitioner in the relevant field, with whom consultation aims to provide discussion and advice on treating clients as well as addressing any problems or concerns arising in relation to their professional interactions.
ii) Personal support relates to practitioners engaging in a professional relationship with an experienced therapeutic practitioner, with the purpose of addressing self-development and any personal issues that could impact upon their ability to help others.
d) Have an awareness of ethics and a familiarity with this Code of Ethics and Conduct.
e) Promote this Code of Ethics and Conduct and integrate it within their professional work.
f) Attempt to resolve ethical dilemmas in accordance with this code and be able to justify their ethical decision-making.
7. The Promotion of Clarity and Integrity
Practitioners should:
a) Be honest as to their level of competence.
b) Be willing to explain the reasoning behind their decisions relating to ethics and practice.
c) Avoid deception, misrepresentation and withholding information, other than in exceptional circumstances.
d) In respect of their advertising and promotional material:
i) Adhere to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code).
ii) Ensure that they do not make any false or misleading claims about their experience, success rates or qualifications.
iii) Ensure that they do not copy or plagiarise any other therapist's website or promotional material without express prior permission.
e) Ensure that all testimonials are genuine and:
i) Hold (and have available for inspection) written permission (whether paper or email), including a contact address, for any testimonials they use.
ii) Ensure that any testimonials displayed relate to the therapeutic technique or intervention advertised and are not taken out of context or edited in any way that gives a misleading impression.
iii) Ensure that clients are not coerced into providing testimonials at the end of their therapy or treatment.
f) Address ethical misconduct and make it known if they believe that any other member is acting against these ethical guidelines.