CAMFT Codes Flashcards
- RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS/PATIENTS
Marriage and family therapists advance the welfare of families and individuals, respect the rights of those persons
seeking their assistance, and make reasonable efforts to ensure that their services are used appropriately.
1.1 NON-DISCRIMINATION:
Marriage and family therapists do not condone or engage in discrimination, or refuse professional service to anyone on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, indigenous heritage, immigration status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or marital/relationship status. Marriage and family therapists make reasonable efforts to accommodate clients/patients who have physical disabilities. (See also sections 3.2 Therapist Disclosures, 3.7 Therapist Professional Background, and 5.11 Scope of Competence.)
1.2 HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL PREJUDICE:
Marriage and family therapists are aware of and do not perpetuate historical and/or social prejudices when diagnosing and treating clients/patients because such conduct may lead to misdiagnosing and pathologizing clients/patients.
1.3 TREATMENT DISRUPTION
Marriage and family therapists are aware of their professional and clinical
responsibilities to provide consistent care to clients/patients and to maintain practices and procedures that
are intended to provide undisrupted care. Such practices and procedures may include, but are not limited to,
providing contact information and specified procedures in case of emergency or therapist absence, conducting
appropriate terminations, and providing for a professional will.
1.3 TREATMENT DISRUPTION
Marriage and family therapists are aware of their professional and clinical
responsibilities to provide consistent care to clients/patients and to maintain practices and procedures that
are intended to provide undisrupted care. Such practices and procedures may include, but are not limited to,
providing contact information and specified procedures in case of emergency or therapist absence, conducting
appropriate terminations, and providing for a professional will.
1.4 TERMINATION:
Marriage and family therapists use sound clinical judgment when terminating therapeutic relationships. Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to, the client/patient is not benefiting from treatment, continuing treatment is not clinically appropriate, the therapist is unable to provide treatment due to the therapist’s incapacity or extended absence, or due to an otherwise unresolvable ethical conflict or issue. (See also sections 3.8 Client/Patient Benefit and 5.11 Scope of Competence.)
1.5 NON-PAYMENT OF FEES
When terminating client/patient relationships due to non-payment of fees, marriage
and family therapists do so in a clinically appropriate manner.
1.6 EMPLOYMENT AND CONTRACTUAL TERMINATIONS
When terminating employment or contractual relationships, marriage and family therapists primarily consider the best interests of the client/patient when
resolving issues of continued responsibility for client/patient care.
1.7 ABANDONMENT:
Marriage and family therapists do not abandon or neglect clients/patients in treatment. If a therapist is unable or unwilling to continue to provide professional services, the therapist will assist the client/ patient in making clinically appropriate arrangements for continuation of treatment.
1.8 FINANCIAL GAIN
Marriage and family therapists do not maintain therapeutic relationships solely for financial gain.
1.9 CLIENT/PATIENT AUTONOMY:
Marriage and family therapists respect client/patient choices, the right of the
client/patient to make decisions, and help them to understand the consequences of their decisions. When
clinically appropriate, marriage and family therapists advise their client/patient that decisions on the status of
their personal relationships, including separation and/or divorce, are the responsibilities of the client/patient.
1.10 TREATMENT PLANNING:
Marriage and family therapists work with clients/patients to develop and review treatment plans that are consistent with client/patient goals and that offer a reasonable likelihood of client/ patient benefit.
- CONFIDENTIALITY
Marriage and family therapists respect the confidences of their client(s)/patient(s). Marriage and family therapists
have unique confidentiality responsibilities because the client/patient in a therapeutic relationship may include
more than one person.
2.2 SIGNED AUTHORIZATIONS RELEASE OF INFORMATION:
When there is a request for information related to
any aspect of psychotherapy or treatment, each member of the unit receiving such therapeutic treatment
must sign an authorization before a marriage and family therapist will disclose information received from any
member of the treatment unit.
2.3 MAINTENANCE OF CLIENT/PATIENT RECORDS CONFIDENTIALITY:
Marriage and family therapists store,
transfer, transmit, and/or dispose of client/patient records in ways that protect confidentiality.
2.4 EMPLOYEES—CONFIDENTIALITY:
Marriage and family therapists take appropriate steps to ensure, insofar as possible, that the confidentiality of clients/patients is maintained by their employees, supervisees, assistants, volunteers, and business associates.
2.5 USE OF CLINICAL MATERIALS CONFIDENTIALITY:
Marriage and family therapists use clinical materials in
teaching, writing, and public presentations only if a written authorization has been previously obtained in
accordance with 2.1, or when appropriate steps have been taken to protect patient identity.
2.6 GROUPS CONFIDENTIALITY
Marriage and family therapists, when working with a group, educate the group regarding the importance of maintaining confidentiality, and are encouraged to obtain written agreement from group participants to respect the confidentiality of other members of the group.
2.7 THIRD-PARTY PAYER DISCLOSURES
Marriage and family therapists advise clients/patients of the information that will likely be disclosed (such as dates of treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, progress, and treatment plans) when submitting claims to managed care companies, insurers, or other third-party payers.
- INFORMED CONSENT AND DISCLOSURE
Marriage and family therapists respect the fundamental autonomy of clients/patients and support their informed
decision-making. Marriage and family therapists assess their client’s/patient’s competence, make appropriate
disclosures, and provide comprehensive information so that their clients/patients understand treatment decisions.
3.1 INFORMED DECISION-MAKING
Marriage and family therapists respect the rights of clients/patients to choose whether to enter into, to remain in, or to leave the therapeutic relationship. When significant decisions need to be made, marriage and family therapists provide adequate information to clients/patients in clear and understandable language so that clients/patients can make meaningful decisions about their therapy.
3.2 THERAPIST DISCLOSURE:
When a marriage and family therapist’s personal values, attitudes, and/or beliefs are a prejudicial factor in diagnosing or limiting treatment provided to a client/patient, the marriage and family therapist shall disclose such information to the client/patient or facilitate an appropriate referral in order to ensure continuity of care.
3.3 RISKS AND BENEFITS:
Marriage and family therapists inform clients/patients of the potential risks and benefits of therapy when utilizing novel or experimental techniques or when there is a risk of harm that could result from the utilization of any technique.
3.4 EMERGENCIES/CONTACT BETWEEN SESSIONS:
Marriage and family therapists inform clients/patients of the
extent of their availability for emergency care between sessions.
3.5 CONSENT FOR RECORDING/OBSERVATION
Marriage and family therapists obtain written informed consent
from clients/patients before recording, or permitting third party observation of treatment.
3.6 LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY:
Marriage and family therapists are encouraged to inform clients/patients of significant exceptions to confidentiality such as child abuse reporting, elder and dependent adult abuse reporting, and clients/patients dangerous to themselves or others.
3.7 THERAPIST PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Marriage and family therapists are encouraged to disclose to clients/patients, at an appropriate time and within the context of the psychotherapeutic relationship, their
experience, education, specialties, and theoretical orientation.
3.8 CLIENT/PATIENT BENEFIT
Marriage and family therapists continually monitor their effectiveness when working
with clients/patients and continue therapeutic relationships only so long as it is reasonably clear that clients/
patients are benefiting from treatment.
3.9 FAMILY UNIT/CONFLICTS:
When treating a family unit(s), marriage and family therapists carefully consider the
potential conflict that may arise between the family unit and each individual member. At the commencement
of treatment and throughout treatment, marriage and family therapists clarify, which person or persons are
clients/patients and the nature of the relationship(s) the therapist will have with each person participating in
the treatment.
3.10 POTENTIAL CONFLICTS:
Marriage and family therapists carefully consider potential conflicts when providing
concurrent or sequential individual, couple, family, and group treatment, and take reasonable care to avoid or
minimize such conflicts.
3.11 TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES:
Marriage and family therapists discuss appropriate treatment alternatives with
clients/patients. When appropriate, marriage and family therapists advocate for the mental health care they
believe will benefit their clients/patients. Marriage and family therapists do not limit their discussions of
treatment alternatives to what is covered by third-party payers.
3.12 DOCUMENTING TREATMENT RATIONALE/CHANGES
Marriage and family therapists document treatment in
their client/patient records, such as major changes to a treatment plan, changes in the unit being treated and/
or other significant decisions affecting treatment.
- DUAL/MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS
Marriage and family therapists establish and maintain professional relationship boundaries that prioritize
therapeutic benefit and safeguard the best interest of their clients/patients against exploitation. Marriage and
family therapists engage in ethical multiple relationships with caution and in a manner that is congruent with their
therapeutic role.
4.1 DUAL/MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS:
Dual /multiple relationships occur when a therapist and his/her client/patient
concurrently engage in one or more separate and distinct relationships. Not all dual/multiple relationships
are unethical, and some need not be avoided, including those that are due to geographic proximity, diverse
communities, recognized marriage and family therapy treatment models, community activities, or that fall
within the context of culturally congruent relationships. Marriage and family therapists are aware of their
influential position with respect to clients/patients, and avoid relationships that are reasonably likely to exploit
the trust and/or dependence of clients/patients, or which may impair the therapist’s professional judgment.
4.2 ASSESSMENT REGARDING DUAL/MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS
Prior to engaging in a dual/multiple relationship,
marriage and family therapists take appropriate professional precautions which may include, but are not
limited to the following: obtaining the informed consent of the client/patient, consultation or supervision,
documentation of relevant factors, appraisal of the benefits and risks involved in the context of the specific
situation, determination of the feasibility of alternatives, and the setting of clear and appropriate therapeutic
boundaries to avoid exploitation or harm.
4.3 UNETHICAL DUAL/MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS:
Acts that could result in unethical dual relationships include, but
are not limited to, borrowing money from a client/patient, hiring a client/patient, or engaging in a business
venture with a patient, or engaging in a close personal relationship with a client/patient. Such acts with a
client’s/patient’s spouse, partner or immediate family member are likely to be considered unethical dual
relationships.
4.4 NON-PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH FORMER CLIENTS/PATIENTS:
Prior to engaging in a non-sexual
relationship with former clients/patients, marriage and family therapists take care to avoid engaging in
interactions which may be exploitive or harmful to the former client/patient. Marriage and family therapists
consider factors which include, but are not limited to, the potential continued emotional vulnerability of the
former client/patient, the anticipated consequences of involvement with that person, and the elimination of
the possibility that the former client/patient resumes therapy in the future with that therapist.
4.5 SEXUAL CONTACT
Sexual contact includes, but is not limited to sexual intercourse, sexual intimacy, and
sexually explicit communications without a sound clinical basis and rationale for treatment. Sexual contact
with a client/patient, or a client’s/patient’s spouse or partner, or a client’s/patient’s immediate family member,
during the therapeutic relationship, or during the two years following the termination of the therapeutic
relationship, is unethical. Prior to engaging in sexual contact with a former client/patient or a client’s/
patient’s spouse or partner, or a client’s/patient’s immediate family member, following the two years after
termination or last professional contact, the therapist shall consider factors which include, but are not limited
to, the potential harm to or exploitation of the former client/patient or to the client’s/patient’s family, the
potential continued emotional vulnerability of the former client/patient, and the anticipated consequences of
involvement with that person. (See also section 7.2 Sexual Contact with Supervisees and Students.)
4.6 PRIOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP:
A marriage and family therapist does not enter into a therapeutic relationship
with a person with whom the therapist has had a sexual relationship or knowingly enter into a therapeutic
relationship with a partner or immediate family member of a person with whom the therapist has had a sexual
relationship.
4.7 EXPLOITATION
Marriage and family therapists do not use their professional relationships with clients/patients
to further their own interests and do not exert undue influence on patients.
4.8 NON-THERAPIST ROLES:
Marriage and family therapists when engaged in professional roles other than
treatment or supervision (including, but not limited to, managed care utilization review, consultation, coaching,
adoption service, child custody evaluation, or behavior analysis), act solely within that role and clarify as
necessary, in order to avoid confusion with consumers and employers, how that role is distinguished from the
practice of marriage and family therapy.
- PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY
Marriage and family therapists maintain high standards of professional competence and integrity.
5.1 CONVICTION OF CRIME
Marriage and family therapists are in violation of this Code and subject to termination
of membership, or other appropriate action, if they: are convicted of a crime substantially related to their
professional qualifications or functions, are expelled from or disciplined by other professional organizations, or
have licenses or certificates that are lapsed, suspended, or revoked or are otherwise disciplined by regulatory
bodies.
5.2 FINANCIAL INCENTIVES:
Marriage and family therapists avoid contractual arrangements that provide financial
incentives to withhold or limit medically/psychologically necessary care.
5.3 CLIENT/PATIENT RECORDS:
Marriage and family therapists create and maintain client/patient records
consistent with sound clinical judgment, standards of the profession, and the nature of the services being
rendered.
5.4 PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Marriage and family therapists seek appropriate professional assistance for their
personal problems or conflicts that impair work performance or clinical judgment.
5.5 PRACTICING WHILE IMPAIRED:
Marriage and family therapists do not practice when their competence is
impaired due to physical or psychological causes or to the use of alcohol or other substances.
5.6 STAYING CURRENT:
Marriage and family therapists remain current with developments in their field through
educational activities or clinical experiences. Marriage and family therapists, when acting as teachers,
supervisors, and researchers, stay informed about changes in the field, maintain relevant standards of
scholarship, and present accurate information.
5.7 SENSITIVITY TO DIVERSITY:
Marriage and family therapists actively strive to identify and understand the
diverse backgrounds of their clients/patients by obtaining knowledge, gaining personal awareness, and
developing sensitivity and skills pertinent to working with a diverse client/patient population.
5.8 GIFTS:
Marriage and family therapists carefully consider the clinical and cultural implications of giving and
receiving gifts or tokens of appreciation. Marriage and family therapists take into account the value of the
gift, the effect on the therapeutic relationship, and the client/patient and the psychotherapist’s motivation for
giving, receiving, or declining, the gift.
5.9 IMPACT OF THERAPIST VALUES ON TREATMENT:
Marriage and family therapists make continuous efforts to be
aware of how their cultural/racial/ethnic identities, values, and beliefs affect the process of therapy. Marriage
and family therapists do not exert undue influence on the choice of treatment or outcomes based on such
identities, values, and beliefs.