PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS FOR PSYCHOANALYSTS
Approved by the Board on Professional Standards and the Executive Council May 1975 and affirmed by the membership with enabling By-Law amendments December 1975.
PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS FOR PSYCHOANALYSTS
Preamble. These principles are intended to aid psychoanalysts
individually and collectively in maintaining a high level of ethical
conduct. They are not laws, but standards by which a psychoanalyst
may determine the propriety of his conduct in his relationship
with patients, with colleagues, with students, with members of
allied professions, and with the public.
Objectives of the profession and the individual psychoanalyst
Section 1. The principal objective of the profession of psychoanalysis
is to offer a particular contribution to humanity, with full respect
for enhancing the dignity of man. A psychoanalyst should strive
continually to improve psychoanalytic knowledge and skill. He
should make available to his patients and colleagues, as well
as to physicians. to other qualified professional persons, and
to students, the benefits of his professional attainments.
Responsibilities to the Individual and to society
Section 2. The honored ideals of the profession of psychoanalysis
imply that the responsibilities of the psychoanalyst extend primarily
to the individual, but also to society; these secondary responsibilities
deserve his interest and participation in activities which have
the purpose of preserving and improving both the health and the
well-being of the individual and the community. When the interests
of his patient conflict with the welfare of the community at large,
the psychoanalyst must weigh the consequences of any action and
arrive at a judgment based on all considerations.
Treatment to have a scientific basis
Section 3. A psychoanalyst should practice a method of treatment
founded on a scientific basis; and he should not knowingly and
voluntarily endorse anyone who violates this principle.
General conduct of the psychoanalyst
Section 4. A psychoanalyst should be courteous, considerate, professional
and ethical in all his relationships. He should observe all laws, uphold
the dignity and honor of the profession, and accept its self imposed disciplines.
He should accord members of allied professions the respect due their areas
of competence.
Relationships with patients and colleagues
Section 5. A psychoanalyst should not solicit patients; he may
choose whom he will treat. In an emergency, however, he should
render service to the best of his ability unless he is of the
opinion, based on his professional judgment, that it would be
inappropriate or unwise to do so. In all situations, a psychoanalyst
should merit the confidence of patients entrusted to his care,
rendering to each a full measure of service. Having undertaken
the care of a patient, he may not neglect him; and unless he has
been discharged he may discontinue his services only after giving
adequate notice. He should not render any professional service
to the patient of a colleague, including therapists in allied
professions, without that colleague's knowledge, unless, in his
professional judgment, it would be in the best interests of the
patient to do so. When he becomes aware that his patient is or
has recently been in treatment with another therapist, he should
ascertain that the patient has informed the other therapist of
the consultation or desire for a change of therapists or, if the
patient has not done so, obtain consent, if possible, to inform
the other therapist himself as soon as may be practicable. He
should however, recognize and respect the patient's right to terminate
a relationship, including psychoanalytic treatment. and/or seek
consultation or advice from others. In professional relationships
the first responsibility of the psychoanalyst is to the patient.
Protection of confidentiality
Section 6. Except as required by law, a psychoanalyst may not
reveal the confidences entrusted to him in the course of his professional
work, or the particularities that he may observe in the characters
of patients. Should he be required by a court of law to give testimony
relating to the confidences of his patient, he should make use
of all legal means to safeguard his patient's right to confidentiality.
Emoluments for services
Section 7. A psychoanalyst should not dispose of his services under terms
or conditions which tend to interfere with or impair the free and complete
exercise of his professional judgment and skill or tend to cause a deterioration
of the quality of psychoanalytic care. The relationship between a patient
and the psychoanalyst may be turned to account solely for therapeutic
purposes; the psychoanalyst should seek no personal advantage from such
relationship other than his fee. His fee should be commensurate with the
service rendered and the patient's ability to pay. tie should neither
pay nor receive a commission for referral of patients. In the clinical
practice of psychoanalysis a psychoanalyst should limit the source of
his income to services actually rendered by him, or under his supervision,
to his patients.
Dispensing of drugs
Section 8. To the extent permitted by law, drugs or remedies
may be dispensed, supplied, or prescribed by the psychoanalyst
provided he is a licensed physician and such action is appropriate
to the treatment and done in the best interests of the patient.
Consolation
Section 9. A psychoanalyst should seek consultation in doubtful
or. difficult cases, at the patient's request or on his own initiative.
whenever it appears that the quality of cam may be enhanced thereby.
Sexual Misconduct in Relation to patients
Section 10. The necessary intensity of the therapeutic relationship
in analysis may tend to activate sexual and other needs and fantasies
on the part of both patient and therapist, while weakening the
objectivity necessary for control. Nevertheless, sexual relationships
between analyst and patient are inconsistent with treatment and
damaging psychologically to both. If drive regulation and control
are not possible for the psychoanalyst under the impact of stimulation
in the analytic situation, he should transfer the patient to another
analyst and seek treatment himself. The occurrence of sexual activities
with the patient is a violation of this principle of ethical conduct
and is compounded by failure to take the remedial steps mentioned.
Remedial measures for the psychoanalyst
Section 11. When disorder within the psychoanalyst, however evidenced,
is threatening or disturbing to the quality of his work, he should
avail himself promptly of remedial measures.
Safeguarding the public and the profession
Section 12. Each psychoanalyst should endeavor to safeguard the
public and the profession of psychoanalysis against psychoanalysts
deficient in moral character or professional competence. He should
expose, without hesitation, in an ethical fashion and through
appropriate channels, illegal or unethical conduct of fellow members
of the profession.
