Code of conduct

Responsibility of Members towards clients. Contract with clients:

The contract concluded between the gestalt therapist and the client is mandatory for both parties, whether it be a written or oral agreement.
Members of MIGIS are responsible for informing clients about payment, terms, place, breaks and rescheduling of sessions (by clients or therapist). The duration of therapy and its termination, as well as the issues of transferring clients, are discussed with clients, and the decision is made jointly.
Members must provide information about their qualifications, experience and membership in MIGIS. They must demonstrate that they comply with the Institute's Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct and provide access to this information at the request of clients. Interns should inform all potential clients of their professional status in the first interview.
Members of MIGIS are responsible for informing clients if they become aware of any relevant conflict of interest at the first interview or at any stage of therapy.
Any recording, filming and observation at therapeutic sessions are discussed and agreed with the client. All records must be kept in the secure conditions to ensure confidentiality.

Clients privacy and security.

The member of MIGIS must inform the client about the confidentiality rule. The death or disappearance of a client does not release the member of MIGIS rom the obligation to maintain professional secrecy.
Working conditions should be organized in such a way as to ensure confidentiality.
In the case of medical aspects of the client's condition, if there are exceptional circumstances, with the permission of the client, members of MIGIS should discuss them with a person of appropriate professional qualifications.
Members of MIGIS must maintain confidentiality during and after therapy. Disclosure of information can be made only with the written consent of the client.
Information obtained by the therapist in the course of work is not subject to conscious or accidental disclosure, and in a situation where it is necessary to transfer it to third parties, it must be presented in a form that excludes its usage against the interests of the client, the client's identity must be protected by changing biographical or other identifying information.
The presence of third parties during the work requires the prior consent of the client and the persons responsible for him (in case the client has not reached the age of 16). The client has the right to withdraw his consent at any time.
Members must not disclose client information in collegiate relationships such as supervision and must refrain from commenting on their clients under any circumstances.
If the members of MIGIS are unable to go to an appointment due to illness or other unforeseen events, then they should, if possible, take appropriate measures to take care of the client.
Members of MIGIS are responsible for ensuring conditions for the proper management and storage of confidential files and electronic recordings of sessions, carrying out all procedures necessary to close the practice (in the event of a serious disability or death) in a responsible, ethical and sensitive manner.
If the client is a legal minor, the member of MIGIS must inform the appropriate social services in the event of client abuse or serious lack of medical care.

3. Client autonomy.

Members of MIGIS must work in such a way as to increase the level of self-support, responsibility of choice and change in clients.
The member of MIGIS in the course of his professional activities must not allow discrimination (restrictions on constitutional rights and freedoms of the individual) based on social status, age, gender, nationality, religion, intelligence and any other differences.
Members of MIGIS must ensure the progress of therapy.
Members of MIGIS are responsible for respecting the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship in any circumstance where the client and therapist meet outside the context of the therapeutic relationship.
Members of MIGIS must not use the client financially, politically, emotionally, sexually, physically or in any other way.
Both client and therapist are responsible for terminating therapy. In case of disagreement, the therapist facilitates the end of therapy as a sign of respect for the autonomy of the client
If there is no progress in the work of the member of MIGIS with the client, then he must facilitate the termination of therapy, inform the client with due respect and help him change the therapist.

4. Competence.

Members of MIGIS must carry out their practical activities competently and in compliance with ethical requirements. They must constantly improve their professional level and follow the scientific achievements in the field of psychotherapy. They must limit their practice to those areas in respect of which they can be shown and proven to have gained sufficient knowledge and experience.
In case of an overwhelming task, members of MIGIS transfer the client to another qualified specialist or help the person who asked for help to establish contact with a professional who can provide adequate assistance.
Members of MIGIS must actively monitor their limitations through therapy, supervision, and continuous learning. If they encounter doubts and difficulties, they must make appropriate referrals to clients or establish cooperation with other professionals and institutions, if necessary.
Members of MIGIS must not work with clients when their ability is impaired due to emotional difficulties, illness, alcohol, medication, burnout, or any other reason. They should make appropriate redirects to clients if necessary.
Trainee members must consult with trainers before beginning therapeutic work.
Members of MIGIS must take responsible steps to ensure their own physical safety while on the job.

5. Advertisising.

Advertising must provide reliable information about the possibilities of providing services and about the qualifications of members and must not mislead people.
Trainees must not apply for the status of a qualified member of MIGIS, which they have not yet achieved. Members of MIGIS must not describe themselves as affiliated with an organization in a way that inaccurately implies their support or permission from that organization.
Reviews must not be included in promotional materials. Assertions must not be made in such a way that the services provided are superior to those that can actually be provided.

Responsibility to colleagues and other professional groups.

Members of MIGIS must conduct themselves in such a way as to promote public confidence in therapy. Any mention of Gestalt therapists or other professional groups must be respectful.
If the member of MIGIS expresses concern about misconduct by another MIGIS member, they should seek to discuss it with each other. If this violation cannot be eliminated independently, informally, in a dialogue, then the member of MIGIS who is expressing concern must contact the Ethics Committee in accordance with the Complaints Procedure.
Members of MIGIS must not accept clients who are already clients of another therapist until both therapists agree that this is possible.
The work of the members of MIGIS is based on the right and duty to show respect for other specialists and their methods of work, regardless of their own theoretical and methodological preferences.
Members of MIGIS must refrain from public assessments and remarks about the means and methods of work of colleagues in the presence of clients.
It is inadmissible to disseminate information that may damage the professional authority of colleagues or their human dignity..
If an ethical violation cannot be resolved informally, a decision is made on the basis of the relevant Complaints and Appeals Procedures.
The actions of MIGIS members who conduct and organize events that are inconsistent with the leadership of MIGIS and bring moral and material losses to other members of MIGIS and the community are condemned.

Responsibility in legislation.

The member of MIGIS is informed about the current national legislation regarding the professional activities and practices of the institution and its subjects, and is attentive to the observance of the relevant legal articles.
Members of MIGIS must inform the leadership of MIGIS if they have taken part in any criminal proceedings or if they are the subject of any proceedings brought against them in connection with their work as a therapist..
As soon as members of MIGIS become aware of high treason, terrorism, drug trafficking or any other illegal activities during therapy, they are required to inform the police. Legal advices under such circumstances must be taken immediately.
Members of MIGIS are required by law to provide information about clients only in court.

The role of members in society.

Legislation: Gestalt therapists are aware of current national legislation and comply with relevant legal acts.
The member of MIGIS is obliged to promote the achievements of Gestalt therapy professionally and accurately in accordance with the actual state at the moment.
The activity of psychotherapists is aimed at creating conditions in society that improve, maintain and restore psychological health and, in general, contribute to the maturity and development of a person.
When engaging in research in relation to therapeutic work, members of MIGIS are required to conduct it in a respectful and ethical manner.
Political Aspects of Therapeutic Work: the member is aware of the social and political implications of their work and the social and political aspects that affect the context of their clients.
Therapeutic training: the goal of therapeutic training is to inform the study of the theoretical, methodological and technical developments of psychotherapy in general, and Gestalt therapy in particular, in an objective and understandable way.
MIGISguarantees the quality of preparation in terms of the competence of those, who leads and supervises programs, and coherence of Programs, as well as it provides internal control to check the quality of preparation of the host and participants of the Programs, using appropriate opportunities.
Ethical principles must be followed by all the members of
The institute controls and guarantees adequate personal, mentoring, clinical and scientific standards of coaching staff, provides professional exchange of information and experience among therapists, their supervision, further advanced training and development.
If the gestalt therapist is in the conflict between various and several ethical positions or requirements and can’t solve this conflict using intervision and supervision, they turn to the Ethics Committee of institute to get necessary help or consultation.

10.01.2021