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IMHPJ Code of Ethics
Includes revisions approved at IMHPJ Annual Conferences through 2020.

1. Purpose
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to establish standards of ethical professional
practice for IMHPJ Clinical and Associate Clinical Members as well as Affiliate
Members where applicable (herein referred to as “Members”). This code may also
be used to educate clients and the public about the importance of ethical behavior
in the provision of mental health services.
IMHPJ Members strive to maintain high standards of competence in their workand uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles andobligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and adapt their
methods to the needs of their clients.

2. Ethical Standards
2.1 Client Centeredness
The integrity, personal growth, and health of the client (this includes individuals,
couples, families, and groups in treatment; supervisees, students, andorganizations) are pursued in all interventions.
2.2 Treatment RelationshipThe client-Member relationship is established on the basis of professionallyaccepted practices. Issues like the nature and anticipated course of treatment,
fees and other arrangements are discussed as early as is appropriate.
Members are aware of the potential power differential between their professionalrole and the client role. No actions shall be taken that would knowingly increase,prolong or take advantage of this power differential.
Members must always be sensitive to, and work to limit, the potential harmful
effects of outside contact with clients and refrain from entering into a therapeuticrelationship when preexisting relationships create a risk of such harm. Members
treat the client with respect and dignity at all times and never engage in any
financial, sexual, emotional, or other exploitation or harassment of any client.

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Members never engage in physical, verbal or any kind of sexual intimacies withcurrent clients, nor do they accept former sexual partners as treatment clients.
Members do not engage in sexual or romantic intimacies with a former treatment
client for at least two years after cessation or termination of professional services.
And, Members who engage in such activity even after two years following endingof treatment bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation,in light of all relevant factors, including (1) the amount of time that has passed
since treatment ended, (2) the nature and duration of the treatment, (3) the
circumstances of termination, (4) the client’s personal history, (5) the client’s
current mental status, (6) the likelihood of adverse impact on the client andothers, and (7) any statements or actions made by the Member during the courseof treatment suggesting or inviting the possibility of a post-termination sexual or
romantic relationship with the client.
2.3 Privacy and Confidentiality
Members have a primary obligation to take reasonable precautions to protect theconfidentiality rights of clients (both their clients and others’ clients).
Matters of privacy and confidentiality are discussed as early in treatment as
feasible. This includes discussing the limits of confidentiality, the use of
supervision, and permission for electronic recording of interviews.
Clients have the right to confidentiality except where there is a clear threat or
intent to do serious bodily harm to themselves or other people or when there isreason to suspect child or elder abuse.
When a client makes a formal complaint about a Member’s ethical or treatment
actions, they may be compromising their claims to confidentiality. (See details in
Section 4).
When Members receive supervision and discuss cases anyone hearing the casepresentation should also agree to protect the client’s confidentiality.
2.4 Protection of Client’s Rights
Members inform each client about their rights or make such information easily
available. Clients have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
Clients have the right to be free of unfair discrimination based on ethnicity, sex,age, disability, national origin, language, religion, creed, marital status, sexual
orientation, and political beliefs and affiliations.

Clients have the right to ask and be informed about the Member’s qualifications
including the right to be shown or have copies of relevant documents supplied
when requested.

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Members do not solicit testimonials from current clients or other persons who
because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.
In deciding whether to offer or provide services to those already receiving mental
health services elsewhere, Members carefully consider the treatment issues andthe potential client’s welfare. The Member discusses these issues with the client,or another legally authorized person on behalf of the client, in order to minimize
the risk of confusion and conflict, consults with the other service providers whenappropriate, and proceeds with caution and sensitivity to the therapeutic issues.
2.5 Professional CompetenceMembers provide only those services and use only those techniques for which
they are qualified by education, training, or experience. In those areas in which
recognized professional standards do not yet exist, Members exercise carefuljudgement and take appropriate precautions to protect the welfare of those withwhom they work.
Members maintain knowledge of relevant scientific and professional information
related to the services they render, and they recognize the need for ongoingeducation, engaging in opportunities for continuing education, training, andsupervision.
Members recognize that their personal problems and conflicts may interfere with
their effectiveness. Accordingly, they have an obligation to be alert to signs of andto obtain assistance for their personal problems at an early stage and to refrainfrom undertaking an activity when they think that their personal problems arelikely to lead to harm to a client.
2.6 Conflicts between Ethics and Organizational Demands
If the demands of an organization with which a Member is affiliated conflict withthis Code of Ethics, the Member clarifies the nature of the conflict, makes known
their commitment to the Code of Ethics, and, to the extent feasible, seeks toresolve the conflict in a way that permits the fullest adherence to the Code of
Ethics.
2.7 General Issues
Members comply with this Code of Ethics in public statements relating to theirprofessional services, products, or publications or to the mental health field.
Public statements include, but are not limited to: paid or unpaid advertising,4

brochures, printed matter, directory listings, personal resumes or curriculum vitae,
interviews or comments for use in media, statements in legal proceedings,
lectures and public oral presentations, and published materials.
Members do not make public statements that are false, deceptive, misleading, or
fraudulent, either because of what they state, convey, or suggest or because ofwhat they omit, concerning their research, practice, or other work activities or
those of persons or organizations with which they are affiliated. As examples (andnot in limitation) of this standard, members do not make false or deceptive
statements concerning (1) their training, experience, or competence; (2) theiracademic degrees; (3) their credentials; (4) their institutional or association
affiliations; (5) their services; (6) the scientific or clinical basis for, or results ordegree of success of, their services; (7) their fees; or (8) their publications or
research findings.
When a member is uncertain whether a particular situation or course of action
would violate this Code of Ethics, the member should consult with other members
knowledgeable about ethical issues or with other appropriate authorities in orderto choose a proper response.
To know of ethical violations and not take appropriate action is, in itself, an ethics
violation and may warrant being expelled from IMHPJ (see details of possible
appropriate actions below in Section 4).

3. Implementation of this Code of Ethics
By signing this Code of Ethics each IMHPJ Member affirms that they have an
obligation to remain familiar with it and to do their utmost to implement it in theirprofessional practice. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an ethicalstandard is not itself a defense to a charge of unethical conduct.
A copy of this Code of Ethics should be made available to clients upon request.
At each yearly IMHPJ conference there will be at least one workshop or section
where ethical issues and the Code of Ethics are discussed. Changes in this Codeof Ethics can be made by majority vote of attending IMHPJ Clinical Members at
any annual or special national IMHPJ Conference.
Members are required to cooperate fully and in a timely fashion with the ethics
process. Failure to cooperate shall not prevent continuation of any proceedings
and itself constitutes a violation of the Code of Ethics that may warrant being
expelled from IMHPJ. Conduct is subject to the Code of Ethics in effect at the time
the conduct occurred. If a course of conduct continued over a period of time

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during which more than one Code of Ethics was in effect, each Code of Ethics will
be applicable to conduct that occurred during the time period it was in effect.

4. Resolving Ethical Issues
4.1 Informal resolution vs. filing a formal ethical complaint
When a Member believes that there may have been an ethical violation byanother Member, they attempt to resolve the issue by bringing it to the attention ofthat individual if an informal resolution appears appropriate and the intervention
does not violate any confidentiality rights that may be involved.
If an apparent ethical violation is too serious for informal resolution or is not
resolved properly in that fashion, Members take further action appropriate to thesituation, unless such action conflicts with confidentiality rights in ways thatcannot be resolved. Such action might include making a formal ethical complaint
under these provisions of the IMHPJ Code of Ethics. To know of ethical violations
and not take appropriate action is, in itself, an ethics violation and may warrant
being expelled from IMHPJ. Complaints must be filed in a timely manner,
generally defined as within a year after the alleged conduct either occurred or was
discovered by the complainant (person making the filing). Exceptions allowing theconsideration of complaints failed after this time limit can be made at thediscretion of the IMHPJ Ethics Representative, (”ER”/a member of the Board of
Directors of IMHPJ), with concurrence of the Ethics Panel convened to review thecase.
4.2 Filing a formal complaint
An ethics complaint can be filed by anyone with knowledge of the alleged
violation. Members do not file or encourage the filing of ethics complaints that are
frivolous and are intended to harm the respondent (alleged violator) rather than toprotect the public.
A complaint is considered filed when a letter describing the alleged ethics
violation and identifying both the alleged violator, or “respondent” and signed by
the person making the complaint, or “complainant,” is received by the ER.
The ER will contact the complainant, describe the procedures to be followed andsend them the necessary releases of confidentiality.
4.3 Establishing an ethics panel
On receipt of the signed releases of confidentiality from the complainant theprocess of investigating the complaint will begin. First, the ER will decide whether

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there is sufficient cause for a full ethical ruling. If the ER feels that the issues
raised in the complaint are not serious enough to possibly lead to expulsion from
IMHPJ if found to be true and if they can successfully resolve the issues raised bydiscussing them with the respondent they can choose to do so. Even if the case is
not serious enough to possibly lead to expulsion, the ER can choose to form an
ethics panel to provide a full ethical ruling.
For a full ethical ruling the ER will appoint a Chair and two Members to serve as
an Ethics Panel to investigate and rule on the complaint. All three people on the
Ethics Panel shall be Clinical Members and at least one shall be a member of theBoard. This panel, in conjunction with these policies and with the advice of theER, will have the power to decide how best to investigate the complaint and aftercoming to a decision will specify what actions or directives to impose on the
respondent if they are found to have committed an ethical violation. They can ask
for and review the relevant materials, interview the people involved, and/or ask
the respondent and/or complainant to answer questions in writing.
4.4 Notification of the Respondent
If a formal complaint is received, the ER shall so inform the respondent in acharge letter. The charge letter shall contain a concise description of the alleged
behaviors at issue and identify the specific section(s) of the Code of Ethics thatthe respondent is alleged to have violated. The ER shall enclose a copy of the
IMHPJ Code of Ethics; a statement that information submitted by the respondent
shall become a part of the record, and can be used if further proceedings ensue;
and a statement barring resignation (by letter of resignation, by nonpayment ofdues, or otherwise) from IMHPJ while the Ethics Panel is investigating thecomplaint.
Unless to do so would put the complainant or other clients at risk of retaliation, a
copy of any materials submitted to date by the complainant or on thecomplainant’s behalf that will be considered (after removing/hiding references
which might violate other client’s confidentiality) should also be sent with the
charge letter. If copies of these materials are not sent with the charge letter itshould be made clear that copies of the materials will be made available to the
respondent at their first interview with the Ethics Panel or ER.
A charge letter does not constitute or represent a finding that any unethicalbehavior has taken place, or that any allegations of the complaint are or are not
likely to be found to be true.
At any time prior to final resolution of the formal complaint, in order to make thecharges conform to the evidence developed during the investigation, the Panel
Chair or E.R. may issue a new charge letter setting forth ethical standard(s)and/or describing alleged behaviors different from or in addition to thosecontained in the initial charge letter.

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4.5 Response to a Charge Letter
The respondent shall have 30 days after receipt of an initial charge letter to file a
response; and 15 days after receipt of any additional charge letters to file a
response to the new charges contained in them. Any request to extend the time
for responding to a charge letter must be made in writing, within the 15 or 30-day
time limits, and must show good cause for an extension.
The Chair of the Ethics Panel or the E.R. in the case of the informal resolution
procedure may request the respondent to appear personally; the respondent has
no automatic right to such an appearance.
4.6 Personal Responses Required
Although the respondent and the complainant have the right to consult with others
concerning all phases of the ethics process, they must respond to charges,
questions, and recommendations of the Ethics Panel personally and not throughlegal counsel, their therapists, or another third party. If the respondent shows
good cause as to why he or she cannot respond personally, the ER may waive
this requirement.
Both the respondent and the complainant are allowed to bring one Ethics Panelapproved “advocate” with them for support during any personal appearances
before the Ethics Panel. If they intend to do so they must notify the Chair of the
Ethics Panel ahead of time to make sure that their advocate has been approved
for attending the interview.
4.7 Available Ethics Panel Actions
On the basis of circumstances that aggravate or mitigate the culpability of theMember, including prior sanctions, directives, or educative letters from IMHPJ or
local boards or similar entities, a sanction more or less severe, respectively, thanwould be warranted on the basis of the factors set forth below, may beappropriate. Of course, the Ethics Panel may decide that there has been no
violation of the ethics policy. And two or more actions may be taken by the Ethics
Panel based on different elements in the case.
A copy, signed by the members of the panel, of any decision by an Ethics Panelor E.R. in the case of an informal resolution procedure shall be provided to the
respondent for their signature indicating that they have received it. This letter will
include a statement about their right of appeal and that, if no appeal is made to
the Board within 30 days that the decision will stand as written.

― 4.7.1 Reprimand.
Reprimand is the appropriate sanction if there has been an ethics violation
but the violation was not of a kind likely to cause harm to another person or
to cause substantial harm to the profession and was not otherwise of
sufficient gravity as to warrant a more severe sanction.

8― 4.7.2 Censure.
Censure is the appropriate sanction if there has been an ethics violation andthe violation was of a kind likely to cause harm to another person, but theviolation was not of a kind likely to cause substantial harm to another personor to the profession and was not otherwise of sufficient gravity as to warranta more severe sanction.
― 4.7.3 Expulsion.
Expulsion from membership is the appropriate sanction if there has been an
ethics violation and the violation was of a kind likely to cause substantial
harm to another person or the profession or was otherwise of sufficientgravity as to warrant such action.
― 4.7.4 Cease and Desist Order.
Such a directive requires the respondent to cease and desist specified
unethical behavior(s).
― 4.7.5 Other Corrective Actions.
The Ethics Panel may require such other corrective actions as may benecessary to remedy a violation, protect the interests of IMHPJ, or protect
the public. Such a directive may not include a requirement that the
respondent make a monetary payment to IMHPJ or persons injured by the
conduct.
― 4.7.6 Supervision Requirement.
Such a directive requires that the respondent engage in supervision of ageneral or specified nature with a supervisor approved by the Ethics Panel.
― 4.7.7 Education, Training, or Tutorial Requirement.
Such a directive requires that the respondent engage in education, training,or a tutorial.
― 4.7.8 Evaluation and/or Treatment Requirement.
Such a directive requires that the respondent be evaluated to determine thepossible need for treatment and/or, if dysfunction has been established,obtain treatment appropriate to that dysfunction.
― 4.7.9 Probation.
Such a directive requires monitoring of the respondent by the Panel toensure compliance with the Ethics Panel’s mandated directives during theperiod of those directives.

9― 4.7.10 Revocation of membership for failure to follow Ethics Panel
Directives
Members are expected to follow decisions and directives made by Ethics
Panels, the E.R. (in the case of an informal resolution) or by the Board of
Directors if an Ethics Panel or E.R. decision is appealed. Failure to follow
such decisions and directives in a timely manner is in itself an ethics
violation and will result in revocation of membership. This decision will be up
to the Ethics Panel involved or the ER.
4.8 Notification by Ethics Panel of their decisions
When making notification of the final disposition of an ethics investigation, thisnotification shall include the ethical standard(s) that were judged to have been
violated and the sanctions and/or directives given, if any. In show cause
proceedings (see below), this notification shall describe the type of underlying
action (e.g., loss of license) without reference to the underlying behavior. In
matters in which membership is voided, the notification shall indicate thatmembership was voided because it was obtained on the basis of false or
fraudulent information.
― 4.8.1 Respondent.
The Ethics Panel Chair (or ER when no Panel was formed) shall inform therespondent of the final disposition of the complaint. This notification shall
include the rationale for any actions taken.
― 4.8.2 Complainant.
The Ethics Panel Chair (or ER when no Panel was formed) shall inform thecomplainant of the final disposition of their complaint. They may also at any
time, as a matter of discretion, provide such information as is necessary to
notify the complainant of the status of a case.
― 4.8.3 Membership.
The ER shall report at the Annual Meeting to the membership on the status
and/or disposition of all ethics investigations or decisions made during theprior year, including the names of members (or former members) against
whom ethics complaints have been made, the ethical standards involved,
and the ethics actions decided upon.
― 4.8.4 Other Entities.
When the Board of Directors, the Ethics Panel, or the ER determines thatfurther notification is necessary for the protection of IMHPJ or the public or
to maintain the standards of IMHPJ, the ER shall communicate the final
disposition to those groups and/or individuals so identified. Such notification
may be made to similar national state and regional associations, and/or
other appropriate parties.

10― 4.8.5 Other Parties Informed of the Complaint.
The Ethics Panel Chair (or ER when no Panel was formed) may inform suchother parties as have been informed of any matter reviewed under theseRules of the final disposition of that matter. Parties with knowledge of amatter may have been informed by the Ethics Panel, the ER, therespondent, or the complainant.

― 4.8.6 Notification of Additional Parties at the Request of Respondent.
The Ethics Panel Chair (or ER when no Panel was formed) may notify such
additional parties of the final disposition as are requested by the respondent.
4.9 “Show Cause” Policy― 4.9.1 Initiating a Show Cause action
If the ER verifies information that another professional organization has
taken action against an IMHPJ Member, or that a Member has been
convicted of a felony, the ER may send a “show cause” letter to theMember, giving them 30 days to provide evidence showing why IMHPJ
should not take similar action and/or revoke their membership. The Member
will also be informed that they have been barred from resigning membershipwhile this issue is pending. The time limit for sending initiating a “showcause” action shall be within one year after the ER discovered the alleged
unethical conduct and less than 10 years after the alleged conduct occurred,
except this latter time limit shall be 20 years in any matter involving an
offense against a minor.
― 4.9.2 Response to Show Cause Lettera). If the Member responds with evidence they feel shows cause that
IMHPJ should not take action the ER will appoint an Ethics Panel (asdescribed above) to rule on the member’s evidence. The process
followed after this point will be the same as described above for an
Ethics Panel investigation (from 4.6 on). The Ethics Panel can request
further information and/or a personal interview with the Member andcan decide on any of the actions described above in section 4.7.
b). If the Member responds that there is no cause for IMHPJ not totake similar action, or that it is true that they were rightfully convicted ofa felony, then the ER will choose the action listed in 4.7 above whichmost closely matches what the other professional organization
decided, or will act to expel the member if the felony conviction was ofa serious nature.
c). If there is no response in 30 days then another notice will be sentby the ER stating that if there is no response within another 30 days
then their membership in IMHPJ will be revoked.

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4.10 Confidentiality of Investigations
All information concerning complaints against Members shall be confidential,
except that the ER may disclose such information when compelled by a valid legal
request; in response to a request from a similar national, state, or regional board
or similar entity; or as otherwise provided in these procedures. Such information
may also be released when the Ethics Panel and ER agree that release of that
information is necessary to protect the interests of (a) the complainant or
respondent; (b) other investigative or adjudicative bodies; (c) IMHPJ; or (d)members of the public, and release will not unduly interfere with IMHPJ’s interestin respecting the legitimate confidentiality interests of participants in the ethics
process and its interest in safeguarding the confidentiality of internal peer review
deliberation.
4.11 Confidentiality of Ethics Files
Files related to investigation and adjudication of ethics cases shall be confidential,
within the limitations described elsewhere in these procedures, and shall bemaintained by the ER for at least five years after a matter is closed.
4.12 Counter complaints
The ER will not consider a complaint from a respondent member against acomplainant member during the course of its investigation and resolution of theinitial complaint. Rather, the Ethics Panel or ER, if no panel has been formed,
shall study all sides of the matter leading to the first complaint and consider
countercharges only after the initial complaint is finally resolved. An Ethics Panel,by unanimous vote, may waive this procedure and consider both complaints
simultaneously.
4.13 Anonymous Complaints
The ER shall not act upon anonymous complaints. If material in the public domain
is provided anonymously, the ER, after verification, may choose to initiate acomplaint or Show Cause action themselves, but only if the respondent has been
provided with a copy of the material and afforded an opportunity to respond to thematerial.
4.14 Consecutive Complaints
When a complaint is lodged against a Member with respect to whom a caseinvolving similar alleged behavior was previously closed, materials in the priorcase may be considered in connection with the new case and may be considered12

as evidence as long as the Ethics Panel is informed of the final disposition of theoriginal case.
4.15 Simultaneous Complaints
When more than one complaint is simultaneously pending against the same
Member, the ER and/or Ethics Panel may choose to combine the cases or tokeep them separate. In the event the cases are combined, the ER shall takereasonable steps to ensure that the legitimate confidentiality interests of any
complainant, witness, or respondent are not compromised by combination.
4.16 Appointment of Ad Hoc Ethics Representative-4.16.1
If the Ethics Representative is a party to a complaint or information isverified that would make them subject to a Show Cause action, then the
President of IMHPJ shall appoint an Ad Hoc Ethics Representative to act as
ER in dealing with this case.
-4.16.2
If, for any other reason, the ER does not believe that they can be fair inworking on a particular complaint/investigation, they can, with the advice of
the President of IMHPJ, appoint an Ad Hoc Ethics Representative to act as
ER in dealing with that case.
-4.16.3
If the respondent to a formal ethics complaint believes that the ER or Ethics
Panel Chair will not or can not be fair in dealing with their investigation the
respondent may appeal to the Board of IMHPJ for appointment of an Ad Hoc
Ethics Representative or a different Ethics Panel Chair to deal with theircase. Decisions of the Board will be final.
4.17 Appeal of Ethics Decisions
All final decisions of the ER and any Ethics Panel may be appealed, within 30
days of the notification of the final decision, to the IMHPJ Board of Directors. The
full Board will review the materials and decide the appeal by majority vote, where
the ER and any Board members who were parties in the case are recused fromvoting. The Board may ask for additional information and/or personal interviews
with the parties in the case. The Board will make its ruling within 90 days ofreceipt of the appeal.

5. Requirement for return to MembershipAny member who has left IMHPJ within one year from the end of an ethics
investigation will be barred from returning to membership until they show
evidence (e.g. from clinical supervision or personal therapy) that they have dealt
with and resolved any issues left from that ethics investigation. The Membership
Secretary, the ER and the Board President will make this determination. Theirdecision can be appealed to the full Board, whose decision is final.

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