Geek Therapy Code of Ethical Principles
Preamble
Geek Therapists are committed to increasing scientific and professional knowledge of behavior and people’s understanding of themselves and others and to the use of such knowledge to improve the condition of individuals, organizations, and society.
Geek Therapists respect and protect civil and human rights and the central importance of freedom of inquiry and expression in research, teaching, and publication. They strive to help the public in developing informed judgments and choices concerning human behavior. In doing so, they perform many roles, such as researcher, educator, diagnostician, therapist, supervisor, consultant, administrator, social interventionist, and expert witness.
This Ethics Code provides a common set of principles and standards upon which Geek Therapists build their professional and scientific work.
This Ethics Code is intended to provide specific standards to cover most situations encountered by Geek Therapists. It has as its goals the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom psychologists work and the education of members, students, and the public regarding ethical standards of the discipline.
The development of a dynamic set of ethical standards for Geek Therapists’ work-related conduct requires a personal commitment and lifelong effort to act ethically; to encourage ethical behavior by students, supervisees, employees, and colleagues; and to consult with others concerning ethical problems.
Geek Therapy Ethical Principles
1. Professional Responsibility and Respect: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” are responsible for providing professional services respectful of the legal and civil rights of others, adhere to the “Geek Therapy” professional and ethical guidelines, and safeguard the dignity and rights of their clients, students, colleagues, and research participants.
2. Competence: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” limit their practice and services to those which are in their professional competence by virtue of their education and professional experience, and consistent with any requirements for state/provincial and national/international credentials. Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” seek supervision/consultation or refer clients to other professionals when the therapeutic needs of clients exceed their level of competence.
3. Confidentiality: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” have a primary responsibility to maintain confidentiality with respect to the therapeutic relationship and all information and creative works resulting from clinical sessions and the therapeutic relationship. Exceptions to confidentiality are only acceptable when disclosure is required by specific state and federal legal requirements (whichever supersedes), to prevent serious and imminent danger to client or others, and to protect a child, older adult, or other vulnerable person(s) from abuse or neglect.
4. Informed Consent: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” take responsibility to keep clients, students, and research participants informed of potential risks and benefits at the initiation of therapy and at all times during therapy, supervision or research projects. This includes, but is not limited to, goals, techniques and methodologies, procedures, limitations, potential risks and benefits, and any other pertinent information, so that the client(s) can make informed decisions about consenting to participate in therapy.
5. Professional Relationships: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” have a primary responsibility to respect and promote the welfare of their clients and to avoid any multiple relationships or conflicts of interest that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to clients.
6. Principles of “Geek Therapy” Activities: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” are responsible to practice in a manner that maintains professional boundaries, based on the individual’s therapeutic goals, safety, and best interests.
7. Responsibility to Research Participants: Individuals providing mental health services using the term “Geek Therapy” respect the dignity and protect the welfare of participants in research.
What is Geek Therapy Anyway?
