Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 1
European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP)
STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES:
PREAMBLE:
Psychotherapists respect the dignity and worth of the individual and strive for the
preservation and protection of fundamental human rights.
They are committed to increasing knowledge of human behaviour and of people's
understanding of themselves and others and the utilisation of such knowledge for the
promotion of human welfare.
While pursuing these objectives they make every effort to protect the welfare of those who
seek their services, of people related to those using their services (where that does not
conflict with the needs of their clients) and of any research participants that may be the
object of study.
Psychotherapists respect other members of their profession and of related professions and
make every effort, in so far as they are able and where that does not conflict with the
interests of their clients, to provide full information and give mutual respect.
They use their skills only for purposes consistent with these values and do not knowingly
permit their misuse by others.
While demanding for themselves freedom of inquiry and communication, psychotherapists
accept the responsibility this freedom requires: competence, objectivity in the application
of skills, and concern for the best interests of clients, colleagues, students, research
participants, & society members.
In the pursuit of these ideals, psychotherapists subscribe to detailed ethical principles in the
following areas, which follow:
1. Responsibility;
2. Competence;
3. Moral & Legal Standards;
4. Confidentiality;
5. Welfare of the Consumer;
6. Professional Relationships;
7. Public Statements;
8. Assessment Techniques;
9. Research.
Psychotherapists cooperate fully with their own professional, national, and european
organisations & associations and with the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP)
by responding promptly and completely to inquiries from and requirements of any duly
constituted ethics or professional committees of such associations or organisations of
which they are a member or to which they belong.
Acceptance onto the Register of the European Certificate for Psychotherapy (ECP) commits
a psychotherapist to adherence to all of these principles.
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 2
PRINCIPLE 1. RESPONSIBILITY
General Principle: In providing services, psychotherapists maintain the highest standards
of their profession. They accept the responsibility for the consequences of their acts and
make every effort to ensure that their services are used appropriately.
Principle 1.a: As practitioners, psychotherapists know that they bear a heavy social
responsibility because their recommendations and professional actions may alter the lives
of others. They are alert to personal, social, organisational, financial, environmental, or
political situations and pressures that might lead to misuse of their influence.
Principle 1.b: Psychotherapists clarify in advance with their clients all matters that might
pertain to their working together. They avoid relationships that may limit their objectivity or
create a conflict of interest.
Principle 1.c: Psychotherapists have the responsibility to attempt to prevent distortion,
misuse, or suppression of their findings by an institution or agency of which they are
employees.
Principle 1.d: As members of national or organisational bodies, psychotherapists remain
accountable as individuals to the highest standards of their profession.
Principle 1.e: As teachers or trainers, psychotherapists recognise their primary obligation
to help others acquire knowledge and skill. They maintain high standards of scholarship by
presenting information objectively, fully, and accurately.
Principle 1.f: As researchers, psychotherapists accept responsibility for the selection of
their research topics and methods used in investigation, analysis and reporting. They plan
their research in ways to minimise the possibility that their findings will be misleading. They
provide thorough discussion of the limitations of their data, especially where their work
touches on social policy or might be construed to the detriment of persons in specific age,
sex, ethnic, socioeconomic, or other social groups. In publishing reports of their work, they
never suppress disconfirming data, and they acknowledge the existence of alternative
hypotheses and explanations of their findings. psychotherapists take credit only for the
work they have actually done. They clarify in advance with all appropriate persons and
agencies the expectations for sharing and utilising research data. Interference with the
milieu in which data are collected is kept to a minimum.
PRINCIPLE 2: COMPETENCE
General Principle: The maintenance of high standards of competence is a responsibility
shared by all psychotherapists in the interest of the public and the profession as a whole.
Psychotherapists recognise the boundaries of their competence and the limitations of their
techniques. They only provide services and only use techniques for which they are
qualified by training and experience. In those areas in which recognised standards do not
yet exist, psychotherapists take whatever precautions are necessary to protect the welfare
of their clients. They maintain knowledge of current health, scientific and professional
information related to the services they render.
Principle 2.a: Psychotherapists accurately represent their competence, education,
training, and experience. They claim as evidence of educational & professional training
qualifications only those degrees or qualifications obtained from reputable educational
institutions or those recognised by the EAP. They ensure that they adequately meet the
minimum professional standards as laid down by the EAP, the relevant National Awarding
Organisation's criteria, and the criteria of the relevant European Wide Accrediting
Organisation in their modality or method, where these exist. They respect the other
sources of education, training and experience that they have received.
Principle 2.b: As practitioners, and as teachers or trainers, psychotherapists perform their
duties on the basis of careful preparation and readiness so that their practice is of the
highest standard and communication is accurate, current, and relevant.
Principle 2.c: Psychotherapists recognise the need for continuing education and personal
development and are open to new procedures and changes in expectations and values
over time.
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 3
Principle 2.d Psychotherapists recognise differences among people, such as those that
may be associated with age, sex, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds or the special
needs of those who might have been specifically disadvantaged. They obtain suitable
training, experience, or counsel to assure competent and appropriate service when relating
to all such persons.
Principle 2.e: Psychotherapists responsible for decisions involving individuals or policies
based on test results have an understanding of psychological or educational measurement,
validation problems, and test research.
Principle 2.f: Psychotherapists recognise that personal problems and conflicts may
interfere with professional effectiveness. Accordingly they refrain from undertaking any
activity in which their personal problems are likely to lead to inadequate performance or
harm to a client, colleague, student, or research participant. If engaged in such activity
when they become aware of their personal problems, they seek competent professional
assistance to determine whether they should suspend, terminate, or limit the scope of their
professional activities.
Principle 2.g: Psychotherapists entering into new fields of activity ensure that they have
completed all the training and professional requirements related to that field of activity, prior
to practising, and that their activity in this new field is of the highest possible standard. They
ensure that there is no dilution of, confusion or conflict with any current activity.
PRINCIPLE 3: MORAL & LEGAL STANDARDS
General Principle: Psychotherapists' moral and ethical standards of behaviour are a
personal matter to the same degree as they are for any other citizen, except where these
may compromise the fulfilment of their professional responsibilities or reduce the public
trust in psychotherapy & psychotherapists. Regarding their own personal behaviour,
psychotherapists are sensitive to prevailing community standards and to the possible
impact that conformity to or deviation from these standards may have upon the quality of
their performance as psychotherapists. Psychotherapists are also aware of the possible
impact of their public behaviour upon the ability of colleagues to perform their professional
duties.
Principle 3.a: As professionals, psychotherapists act in accord with the principles of EAP
and their National Awarding Organisation's (NAO) and their institute or association's
standards and guidelines related to practice. Psychotherapists also adhere to relevant
governmental laws and regulations. When European, national, provincial, organisational,
or institutional laws, regulations, or practices are in conflict with EAP, the NAO, or their
institution or association's standards and guidelines, psychotherapists make known their
commitment to EAP, their NAO & their institute or association's standards and guidelines
and, wherever possible, work toward a resolution of the conflict. As professionals, they are
concerned with the development of such legal and quasi-legal regulations that best serve
the public interest, and they work toward changing existing regulations that are not
beneficial to the public interest.
Principle 3.b: As employees or employers, psychotherapists do not engage in or condone
any practices that are inhumane or that result in illegal or unjustifiable actions. Such
practices include, but are not limited to, those based on considerations of race, handicap,
age, gender, sexual preference, religion, or national origin in practice, in hiring, promotion,
or training.
Principle 3.c: In their professional roles, psychotherapists avoid any action that will violate
or diminish the human, legal and civil rights of clients or others who may be affected.
Principle 3.d: As practitioners, teachers, trainers and researchers, psychotherapists are
aware of the fact that their personal values may affect their communication, the use of
techniques, selection and presentation of views or materials and the nature or
implementation of research. When dealing with topics that may give offence, they
recognise and respect the diverse attitudes and individual sensitivities that clients,
students, trainees or subjects may have towards such matters.
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 4
PRINCIPLE 4. CONFIDENTIALITY
General Principle: Psychotherapists have a primary obligation to respect the confidentiality
of information obtained from persons in the course of their work as psychotherapists. They
reveal such information to others only with the consent of the person (or the person's legal
representative), except in those unusual circumstances in which not to do so would
probably result in clear danger to the person or to others. Psychotherapists inform their
clients of the legal limits of confidentiality. Consent to reveal information to others would
normally be obtained in writing from the person concerned.
Principle 4.a: Information obtained in clinical or consulting relationships, or evaluating
data concerning children, students, employees, and others, is discussed only for
professional purposes and only with persons clearly concerned with the case. Written and
oral reports present only data germane to the purposes of the evaluation or for a referral,
and every effort is made to avoid undue invasion of privacy.
Principle 4.b: Psychotherapists who present personal information obtained during the
course of professional work in writings, lectures, or other public forums either obtain
adequate prior consent to do so or adequately disguise all identifying information.
Principle 4.c: Psychotherapists make provisions for maintaining confidentiality in the
storage and disposal of records, and in the event of their own unavailability.
Principle 4.d: When working with minors or other persons who are unable to give
voluntary, informed consent, psychotherapists take special care to protect these person's
best interests and consult others involved appropriately.
PRINCIPLE 5: WELFARE OF THE CLIENT
General Principle: Psychotherapists respect the integrity and protect the welfare of the
people and groups with whom they work. When conflicts of interest arise between clients
and psychotherapists' employing institutions, psychotherapists clarify the nature and
direction of their loyalties and responsibilities and keep all parties informed of their
commitments. Psychotherapists fully inform clients as to the purpose and nature of any
evaluative, treatment, educational, or training procedure, and they openly acknowledge that
clients, students, trainees, or participants in research have freedom of choice with regard to
participation. Coercion of people to participate or to remain in receipt of services is
unethical.
Principle 5.a: Psychotherapists are continually cognizant of their own needs and of their
potentially influential position vis-ˆ-vis persons such as clients, students, trainees, subjects
and subordinates. They avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons.
Psychotherapists make every effort to avoid dual relationships that could impair their
professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples of such dual
relationships include, but are not limited to, professional treatment of or research with
employees, students, supervisees, close friends, or relatives. Sexual intimacies with any
such clients, students, trainees and research participants are unethical.
Principle 5.b: When a psychotherapist agrees to provide services to a client at the request
of a third party, the psychotherapist assumes the responsibility of clarifying the nature of
the relationships to all parties concerned.
Principle 5.c: Where the demands of an organisation require psychotherapists to violate
these or any ethical principles, psychotherapists clarify the nature of the conflict between
the demands and the principles. They inform all parties of their ethical responsibilities as
psychotherapists and take appropriate action.
Principle 5.d: Psychotherapists make advance financial arrangements that safeguard the
best interests of and are clearly understood by their clients, students, trainees or research
participants. They neither give or receive and remuneration for referring clients for
professional services. They contribute a portion of their services to work for which they
receive little or no financial return.
Principle 5.e: Psychotherapists terminate a clinical or consulting relationship as soon as it
is reasonably clear that the client is not benefiting from it, or whenever the client requires.
They offer to help the client locate alternative sources of assistance.
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 5
PRINCIPLE 6: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
General Principle: Psychotherapists act with due regard for the needs, special
competencies, and obligations of their colleagues in psychotherapy, psychology, medicine
& other professions. They respect the prerogatives and obligations of the institutions or
organisations with which these other colleagues are associated.
Principle 6.a: Psychotherapists understand the areas of competence of related
professions. They make full use of all the professional, technical, and administrative
resources that serve the best interests of consumers. The absence of formal relationships
with other professional workers does not relieve psychotherapists of the responsibility for
securing for their clients the best possible professional service, nor does it relieve them of
the obligation to exercise foresight, diligence, and tact in obtaining the complementary or
alternative assistance needed.
Principle 6.b: Psychotherapists know and take into account the traditions and practices of
other professional groups with whom they work and they cooperate fully with such groups.
If a person is receiving similar services from another professional, the psychotherapist
carefully considers that professional relationship and proceeds with caution and sensitivity
to the therapeutic issues as well as the client's welfare. The psychotherapist discusses
these issues with the client so as to minimise the risk of confusion and conflict, and seeks,
where possible, to maintain clear and agreed relationships with other involved
professionals.
Principle 6.c: Psychotherapists who employ or supervise other professionals or
professionals in training accept the obligation to facilitate the further professional
development of these individuals and take action to ensure their competence. They
provide appropriate working conditions, timely evaluations, constructive consultation, and
experience opportunities.
Principle 6.d: Psychotherapists do not exploit their professional relationships with clients,
supervisees, students, employees or research participants sexually or otherwise.
Psychotherapists do not condone or engage in sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is
defined as deliberate or repeated comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual
nature that are unwanted by the recipient.
Principle 6.e: When psychotherapists know of an ethical violation by another
psychotherapist, and it seems appropriate, they informally attempt to resolve the issue by
bringing the behaviour to the attention of the psychotherapist. If the misconduct is of a
minor nature and/or appears to be due to lack of sensitivity, knowledge, or experience,
such an informal solution is usually appropriate. Such informal corrective efforts are made
with sensitivity to any rights to confidentiality involved. If the violation does not seem
amenable to an informal solution, or is of a more serious nature, psychotherapists bring it
to the attention of the appropriate institution, association or committee on professional
ethics and conduct.
Principle 6.f: Publication credit is assigned to those who have contributed to a publication
in proportion to their professional contributions. Major contributions of a professional
character made by several persons to a common project are recognised by joint authorship
with the individual who made the principle contribution listed first. Minor contributions of a
professional character and extensive clerical or similar nonprofessional assistance may be
acknowledged in footnotes or in an introductory statement. Acknowledgement through
specific citations is made for unpublished as well as published material that has directly
influenced the research or writing. Psychotherapists who compile and edit material of
others for publication publish the material in the name of the originating group, if
appropriate, with their own name appearing as chairperson or editor. All contributors are
acknowledged and named.
Principle 6.g: In conducting research in institutions or organisations, psychotherapists
secure appropriate authorisation to conduct such research. They are aware of their
obligation to future research workers and ensure that host institutions receive adequate
information about the research and proper acknowledgements of their contributions.
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 6
PRINCIPLE 7: PUBLIC STATEMENTS
General Principle: Public statements, announcements of services, advertising, and
promotional activities of psychotherapists serve the purpose of helping the public make
informed judgments and choices. Psychotherapists represent accurately and objectively
their professional qualifications, affiliations, and functions, as well as those of the
institutions or organisations with which they or the statements may be associated. In public
statements providing psychotherapeutical information or professional opinions or providing
information about the availability of techniques, products, publications, and services,
psychotherapists base their statements on generally acceptable findings and techniques
with full recognition of the limits and uncertainties of such evidence.
Principle 7.a: When announcing or advertising professional services, psychotherapists
may list the following information to describe the provider and services provided: name,
highest relevant academic degree or training certificate earned from an accredited
institution, date, type, award of the ECP, membership of psychotherapy organisations and
professionally relevant or related bodies, address, telephone number, office hours, a brief
listing of the type of psychological services offered, an appropriate presentation of fee
information, foreign languages spoken, policy with regards to insurance or third party
payments and other brief & pertinent information. Additional relevant or important
consumer information may be included if not prohibited by other sections of these Ethical
Principles.
Principle 7.b: In announcing or advertising the availability of psychotherapeutic services
or publications, psychotherapists do not present their affiliation with any organisation in a
manner that falsely implies sponsorship or certification by that organisation. In particular
and for example, psychotherapists do not state European, national registration or
institutional or associational status in a way to suggest that such status implies specialised
professional competence or qualifications. Public statements include, but are not limited to,
communication by means of periodical, book, list, directory, internet, television, radio, or
motion picture. They do not contain (i) a false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or
deceptive, or unfair statement; (ii) a misinterpretation of fact or a statement likely to mislead
or deceive because in context it makes only a partial disclose of relevant facts; (iii) a
testimonial from a patient regarding the quality of a psychotherapist's services or products;
(iv) a statement intended or likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favourable
results; (v) a statement implying unusual, unique, or one-of-a-kind abilities; (vi) a statement
intended or likely to appeal to a client's fears, anxieties, or emotions concerning the
possible results of failure to obtain the offered services; (vii) a statement concerning the
comparative desirability of offered services; (viii) a statement of direct solicitation of
individual clients.
Principle 7.c: Psychotherapists do not compensate or give anything of value to a
representative of the press, radio, television, or other communication medium in
anticipation of or in return for professional publicity in a news item. A paid advertisement
must be identified as such, unless it is apparent from the context that it is a paid
advertisement. If communicated to the public by use of radio or television, an
advertisement is prerecorded and approved for broadcast by the psychotherapist. Copies
of advertisements and recordings of broadcasts are retained by the psychotherapist.
Principle 7.d: Announcements or advertisements of "personal growth groups," specialinterest
group sessions, courses, clinics, trainings and agencies give a clear statement of
purpose and a clear description of the experiences or training to be provided. The
education, training, and experience of the staff members are appropriately specified and
available prior to the commencement of the group, training course or services. A clear
statement of fees and any contractual implications is available before participation.
Principle 7.e: Psychotherapists associated with the development or promotion of
psychotherapeutic techniques, products, books, or other such offered for commercial sale
make reasonable efforts to ensure that announcements and advertisements are presented
in a professional, scientifically acceptable, ethical and factually informative manner.
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 7
Principle 7.f: Psychotherapists do not participate for personal gain in commercial
announcements or advertisements recommending to the public the purchase or use of
proprietary or single-source products or services when that participation is based solely
upon their identification as psychotherapists.
Principle 7.g: Psychotherapists present the science and art of psychotherapy and offer
their services, products, and publications fairly and accurately, avoiding misrepresentation
through sensationalism, exaggeration, or superficiality. Psychotherapists are guided by the
primary obligation to aid the public in developing informed judgments, opinions, and
choices.
Principle 7.h: As teachers, psychotherapists ensure that statements in catalogues and
course outlines are accurate and not misleading, particularly in terms of subject matter to
be covered, bases for evaluating progress, and the nature of course experiences.
Announcements, brochures or advertisements describing workshops, seminars, or other
educational programs accurately describe the audience for which the program is intended
as well as eligibility requirements, educational objectives, and nature of the materials to be
covered. These announcements also accurately represent the education, training, and
experience of the psychotherapists presenting the programs and any fees involved.
Principle 7.i: Public announcements or advertisements soliciting research participants in
which clinical services or other professional services are offered as an inducement make
clear the nature of the services as well as the costs and other obligations to be accepted by
participants in the research.
Principle 7.j: A psychotherapist accepts the obligation to correct others who represent
the psychotherapist's professional qualifications, or associations with products or services,
in a manner incompatible with these guidelines.
Principle 7.k: Individual diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided only in the
context of a professional psychotherapeutic relationship. When personal advice is given by
means of public lectures or demonstrations, newspaper or magazine articles, radio or
television programs, mail, or similar media, the psychotherapist utilises the most current
relevant data and exercises the highest level of professional judgment.
Principle 7.l: Products that are described or presented by means of public lectures or
demonstrations, newspaper or magazine articles, radio or television programs, mail, or
similar media meet the same recognised standards as exist for products used in the
context of a professional relationship.
PRINCIPLE 8: ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
General Principle: In the development, publication, and utilisation of psychotherapeutic or
psychological assessment techniques, psychotherapists make every effort to promote the
welfare and best interests of the client. They guard against the misuse of assessment
results. They respect the client's right to know the results, the interpretations made, and
the bases for their conclusions and recommendations. Psychotherapists make every effort
to maintain the security of tests and other assessment techniques within the limits of legal
mandates. They strive to ensure the appropriate use of assessment techniques by others.
Principle 8.a: In using assessment techniques, psychotherapists respect the right of
clients to have full explanations of the nature and purpose of the techniques in language
the clients can understand, unless an explicit exception to this right has been agreed upon
in advance. When the explanations are to be provided by others, psychotherapists
establish procedures for ensuring the adequacy of these explanations.
Principle 8.b: Psychotherapists responsible for the development and standardisation of
psychological tests and other assessment techniques utilise established scientific
procedures and observe the relevant EAP, national, and institutional or organisational
standards.
Principle 8.c: In reporting assessment results, psychotherapists indicate any reservations
that exist regarding the validity or reliability because of the circumstances of the
assessment or the inappropriateness of the norms for the person tested. Psychotherapists
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 8
strive to ensure that the results of assessments and their interpretations are not misused by
others.
Principle 8.d: Psychotherapists recognise that assessment results may become obsolete
and do not represent a complete picture of the assessed. They make every effort to avoid
and prevent the misuse of obsolete measures or incomplete assessments.
Principle 8.e: Psychotherapists offering scoring and interpretation services are able to
produce appropriate evidence for the validity of the programs and procedures used in
arriving at interpretations. The public offering of an interpretation service is considered a
professional-to-professional consultation. Psychotherapists make every effort to avoid
misuse of assessment reports.
Principle 8.f: Psychotherapists do not encourage or promote the use of
psychotherapeutic or psychological assessment techniques by inappropriately trained or
otherwise unqualified persons through teaching, sponsorship, or supervision.
PRINCIPLE 9: RESEARCH
General Principle: The decision to undertake research rests upon a considered judgment
by the individual psychotherapist about how best to contribute to human science and
human welfare. Having made the decision to conduct research, the psychotherapist
considers alternative directions in which research energies and resources might be
invested. On the basis of this consideration, the psychotherapist carries out the
investigation with respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who
participate and with cognizance of regulations and professional standards governing the
conduct of research with human participants.
Principle 9.a: In planning a study, the the psychotherapist who carries out the
investigation (the investigator) has the responsibility to make a careful evaluation of its
ethical acceptability. To the extent that the weighing of scientific and human values
suggests a compromise of any principle, the investigator incurs a correspondingly serious
obligation to seek ethical advice and observe stringent safeguards to protect the rights of
human participants.
Principle 9.b: Considering whether a participant in a planned study will be a "subject at
risk" or a "subject at minimal risk", according to recognised standards, is of primary ethical
concern to the investigator.
Principle 9.c: The investigator always retains the responsibility for ensuring ethical
practice in research. The investigator is also responsible for the ethical treatment of
research participants by collaborators, assistants, students, and employees, all of whom,
however, incur similar obligations.
Principle 9.d: Except in miminal-risk research, the investigator establishes a clear and fair
agreement with research participants, prior to their participation, that clarifies the obligation
and responsibilities of each. The investigator has the obligation to honour all promises and
commitments in that agreement. The investigator informs the participants of all aspects of
the research that might reasonably be expected to influence willingness to participate and
explains all other aspects of the research about which the participants inquire. Failure to
make full disclosure prior to obtaining informed consent requires additional safeguards to
protect the welfare and the dignity of the research participants. Research with children or
with participants who have impairments that would limit understanding and/or
communication requires special safeguarding procedures.
Principle 9.e: Methodological requirements of a study may make the use of concealment
or deception seem necessary. Before conducting such a study, the investigator has a
special responsibility to (i) determine whether the use of such techniques is justified by the
study's prospective scientific, educational, or implied value; (ii) determine whether
alternative procedures are available that do not use concealment or deception; and (iii)
ensure that the participants are provided with sufficient explanation as soon as possible.
There exists a presumption not to use such techniques.
Principle 9.f: The investigator respects the individual's freedom to decline to participate in
or withdraw from the research at any time. The obligation to protect this freedom requires
Statement of Ethical Principles: AGM July 2002 Page 9
careful thought and consideration when the investigator is in a position of authority or
influence over the participant. Such positions of authority include, but are not limited to,
situations in which research participation is required as part of employment or in which the
participation is a student, client, or employee of the investigator. The rights of the individual
predominate over the needs of the investigator to complete the research.
Principle 9.g: The investigator protects the participant from physical and mental
discomfort, harm, and danger that may arise from research procedures. If risks of such
consequences exist, the investigator informs the participant of that fact. Research
procedures likely to cause serious or lasting harm to a participant are not used unless the
failure to use these procedures might expose the participant to risk of greater harm, or
unless the research has great potential benefit and fully informed and voluntary consent is
obtained from each participant. The participant should be informed of procedures for
contacting the investigator within a reasonable time period following participation should
stress, potential harm, or related questions or concerns arise. Consent obtained from the
participant does not limit their legal rights or reduce the investigator's legal responsibilities.
Principle 9.h: After the data are collected, the investigator provides the participant with
information about the nature of the study and attempts to remove any misconceptions that
may have arisen. Where scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding this
information, the investigator incurs a special responsibility to monitor the research and to
ensure that there are no damaging consequences for the participant.
Principle 9.i: Where research procedures result in undesirable consequences for the
individual participant, the investigator has the responsibility to detect and remove or correct
these consequences, including long-term effects.
Principle 9.j: Information obtained about a research participant during the course of an
investigation is confidential unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. When the possibility
exists that others may obtain access to such information, this possibility, together with the
plans for protecting confidentiality, is explained to the participant as part of the procedure
for obtaining informed consent.
_________________________________
European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP)
Vienna, July 2002