IEDTA Values & Ethics

As an organization, we are committed to the principles and values set out in our Code of Ethics, which guide our members’ professional conduct.

We expect our members, including members of our Board, to adhere to our Ethics Code.

Our Values

Our organization’s values guide our leadership, organization and members. We value Respect, Integrity, Professionalism, Competence and Expertise in Education, and Excellence in Research.

  • We are committed to treating all persons with dignity, compassion, tolerance, and consideration.

  • We value honesty and are committed to acting with integrity. We expect members to:

    • act with integrity to ensure trust and confidence in the organization;

    • interact with other IEDTA members, the broader Experiential Dynamic Therapy (EDT) community, and the general public with honesty and respect;

    • adhere to our Ethics Code; and

    • comply with the ethical practices of their regulating organizations.

  • We strive for excellence in the provision of EDTs through professional knowledge, skills, and experience.

    Our members should hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the application of EDTs.

    We expect all our members to conduct their professional activities in accordance with the standards set out by their regulating organizations.

    Whenever the policies between the IEDTA and local regulating organizations are significantly different, the stricter set of ethical principles should be followed.

  • We strive for excellence in the provision of training and education in EDTs and their application, including the process of certifying IEDTA trainers, IEDTA supervisors, and IEDTA core training programs.

    Members should work within their sphere of competence and remain committed to developing and enhancing their professional knowledge and expertise.

  • We are devoted to encouraging and disseminating innovation and research into EDTs in accordance with applicable research standards, regulations, and guidelines.

The Code of Ethics

Our Code of Ethics sets out the principles, values and standards that we are committed to.

The Code describes how the Ethics Committee operates, as well as the IEDTA’s standards regarding Competence and Professional Standards; Privacy and Confidentiality; Advertising, Public Statements, and use of IEDTA Name or Logo; Training and Education; and Research and Publication.

  • We expect our Members to uphold our ethical values, and to conduct their professional work in accordance with the rules, regulations or guidelines set out by their regulating organizations. In particular, we expect our members to comply with any continuing education and clinical supervision requirements set by their regulating organizations to maintain full licensure and status.

    We expect our members to practice requisite professional standards and to work within their sphere of competence and not to provide services that are outside their areas of knowledge, skill, training or experience.

    We expect our members to undertake ongoing efforts to strive for high standards of professional knowledge and expertise in a field that requires specialist knowledge, training, skill and experience.

    Members shall take all reasonable steps to avoid harm to anyone they interact with as practitioners and shall not exploit others.

  • Members must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that they comply with their obligations to protect confidential information obtained in the course of their professional activities, whether obtained through or stored in any medium whatsoever, in accordance with the rules, regulations or guidelines set out by their regulating organizations.

    In particular, members shall not record the voices or images of patients/clients, without first obtaining written permission to do so.

    Members shall not disclose in their writings, lectures, or other public media, confidential, personally identifiable information concerning their patients/clients, students, research participants, organizational clients, or other recipients of their services unless they have prior written consent and unless they have taken all reasonable steps to disguise the person or organizational client.

  • Members shall not knowingly make, nor permit any third party to knowingly make, any public statements that are false, deceptive, or fraudulent concerning their research, practice, or other work activities, including regarding (1) their training, experience, or competence; (2) their academic degrees; (3) their credentials; (4) their institutional or association affiliations; (5) their services; (6) the scientific or clinical basis for, or results or degree of success of their services; or (7) their publications or research findings.

    Members shall only advertise IEDTA-Certified Training Programs if they have been granted IEDTA certified status by the Education Committee. Members shall ensure that they accurately describe the audience for which the IEDTA-Certified Training Program is intended, the educational objectives, the presenters, and the fees involved.

    Members must request permission from the Board to use the IEDTA logo on their advertising material or correspondence. This is granted typically for events that are cosponsored by the IEDTA.

  • We strive for excellence in the provision of Training and Education in EDTs and their application. The IEDTA Education and Training Committee approves and certifies trainers, supervisors, and core training programs. Only training programs certified by the Education and Training Committee may be advertised using the IEDTA name or logo.

    Members responsible for education and training programs shall take reasonable steps to ensure that IEDTA certified Core Training Programs meet the requirements set out by the IEDTA.

    Teachers and Supervisors will model high levels of ethical practice in their work, particularly with regard to expected levels of competence and professionalism. We value and encourage education that enhances our professional knowledge and increases the efficacy of training clinicians in EDTs.

    Teachers and Supervisors will encourage Core trainees and supervisees to raise any concerns and have processes and policies for addressing any concerns. Trainers and supervisors are responsible for providing opportunities for trainees to discuss any of their practice-related difficulties without blame or unjustified criticism, and, to support trainees in taking positive actions to resolve difficulties.

    Assessments of Core trainees will be fair, respectful and provide reasoned explanations for the outcome to the students.

  • We value and encourage research and systematic inquiry that enhances our professional knowledge and increases the evidence base for the efficacy of EDTs. We support and encourage the dissemination of accurate published research.

    Members must ensure that they comply with all relevant research protocols, including standards set by their regulating organizations regarding any research, and must conduct, publish, and disseminate research only in accordance with such relevant research protocols.

Download the IEDTA Ethics Code

The Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee helps the IEDTA achieve and maintain its values and objectives as reflected in the Code of Ethics.

The Committee also educates members concerning the IEDTA’s ethical standards as set out in the Ethics Code.

The Ethics Committee is made up of IEDTA members who are appointed by the Board. The Committee reports to the Board.

Contact the Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee investigates complaints of IEDTA member conduct that violates the ethical principles, values and standards set out in the IEDTA Code of Ethics.

Ethical issues which fall under the purview of licensing authorities or other professional societies will be left to those bodies to adjudicate. Even if the Committee decides action is necessary, it will defer to the conclusions of those outside bodies in the absence of a compelling reason to do otherwise.

No committee member who has a conflict of interest regarding an ethical complaint will participate in meetings or proceedings relating to that complaint.

The Committee can recommend sanctions to the Board if an ethics violation is established under its Rules of Procedures.

The Board will determine the appropriate sanction based on the evidence presented by the Committee. The Board’s decision will be communicated in writing to the subject of the complaint who can appeal the decision.

How the Ethics Committee works.

Common Ethical Dilemmas & Questions

EDTs and Dual Relationships.

A dual relationship arises when a therapist, trainer or supervisor has a second, significantly different relationship with their patient/client or supervisee/ trainee, in addition to the traditional patient/client-therapist bond or supervisor/trainer-supervisor/trainee relationship.

Situations which can cause ethical dilemmas include when a patient or client would like to do a Core Training, group or individual supervision with their therapist, or if a therapist expands their role with a patient or client to include a training relationship.

Other complicated dual relationships may include a professional relationship in which the therapist works with the patient or client in a professional capacity, such as being colleagues or collaborators.

The Ethics Committee recognizes that during the development of psychoanalysis, teachers commonly offered therapy to their trainees or students.

Dr Davanloo, who developed the metapsychology of ISTDP, often facilitated dual relationships with his trainees, offering therapy to some, blurring the boundaries between the different relationships individuals had with him.

The Ethics Committee strongly recommends that, in line with standard psychological and psychotherapy ethical standards, IEDTA therapists, trainers and supervisors avoid dual relationships with individuals, as these can, and often do result in unintended, but lasting harm.

I run a Core Training. Can I offer therapy to trainees in my Core Group?

No, this is not recommended. This is considered a dual relationship and has the potential of crossing various unethical boundaries and causing harm.

Can I do a Core Training with my Therapist?

No, this is not recommended. This is considered a dual relationship and has the potential of crossing unethical boundaries and causing harm. For the same reasons, it is not recommended that you have therapy with your Core Trainer or clinical supervisor.

Can I attend a presentation, workshop or large-format training offered by my therapist?

Yes, the IEDTA community is a small one, and there will often be situations in which both a therapist and patient or client are attending the same conference. If you discuss this in advance with them, and you both feel comfortable, it can be acceptable to attend presentations, workshops or large-format trainings with or by your therapist.

Which ethical guidelines apply to my EDT work?

We expect our members to conduct their professional activities in accordance with the ethical standards set out by their professional regulating or licensing organization or body. The IEDTA Code of Ethics does not take precedence over the ethical rules and requirements of those licensing or registration bodies.

Do I need prior written consent to video record sessions?

Yes. We recommend that you discuss your wish to record sessions with new clients or patients, and obtain their written consent to record sessions before your first meeting. You should only use the recording for the purposes for which you have received prior written consent.

Code of Ethics FAQs

  • The Ethics Code sets out the ethical principles and values the IEDTA is committed to. Members of the IEDTA are expected to adhere to the values and standards set out in the Ethics Code.

    The IEDTA may impose sanctions on members for violations of the Ethics Code, including termination of IEDTA membership and/or withdrawal of IEDTA certified status. In some circumstances, the IEDTA may notify other bodies and individuals of its actions.

  • The Rules of Procedure of the IEDTA Ethics Committee set out the procedure for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints under the Ethics Code.

  • The IEDTA Ethics Committee is primarily concerned with ethical professional behavior within the IEDTA. Ethical issues which fall under the purview of licensing authorities or other professional societies will be left to those bodies to adjudicate. In the event that action on the part of the IEDTA is necessary, the Committee will defer to the conclusions of these outside bodies in the absence of a compelling reason to do otherwise.

    The Committee may consider complaints regarding ethical misconduct, including breaches of:

    • the IEDTA membership rules,

    • the Ethics Code, or

    • any other policies that call into questions a member’s suitability to:

      (i) remain a member of the IEDTA,

      (ii) be included on the register of IEDTA Certified Teachers, IEDTA Certified Supervisors or IEDTA Certified Core Training Programs,

      (iii) use the IEDTA name or logo in any literature, advertising or training materials, or correspondence, and/or

      (iv) participate in IEDTA-sponsored functions such as conferences and electronic discussion forums.

  • Any IEDTA member or the Board itself can make a complaint against another member where there is evidence of a violation of the Ethics Code. Complaints should normally be made within three months of the complainant becoming aware of the conduct that forms the subject matter of the complaint.

  • If you believe that you have personal evidence or experience of an IEDTA member acting in breach of the IEDTA Ethics Code, you can email the Ethics Committee ethics@iedta.net

    In many cases, you may wish to consider whether it is appropriate to make a complaint to the organization or regulatory body that the person you wish to report is licensed or regulated by.

  • We generally do not investigate or respond to anonymous complaints.

    Anonymous complaints will only be investigated where there is evidence of reasonable threat to the personal safety of the complainant and the allegation is independently verifiable or admitted by the subject of the complaint.

  • The Ethics Committee will take reasonable steps to keep the details of investigations or complaints confidential. The Committee will decide what and when pertinent information should be shared with the Board, with you, with the subject of your complaint, and their legal representatives, if any, and any person authorized by the Ethics Committee or the Board to assist the Ethics Committee in carrying out its functions.

    The Ethics Committee reports to the Board regularly, keeping the Board up to date on its activities and no sanctions can be imposed under the Ethics Code without the Board’s approval.

  • We understand that you may not wish the person you are making an allegation about to know your identity. However, other than in rare cases where we believe there might be severe risk of danger to you, we will not be able to keep your identity secret from the person you are complaining about. We believe that this is the only fair and ethical way to ensure that the person you are complaining about can adequately respond to the complaint you are making.

    Even if we determine that we will not reveal your identity, we cannot guarantee that your identity will remain a secret as we conduct our investigations.

  • The Ethics Committee looks at the facts of each case individually to determine whether it falls within the scope of its Rules of Procedure.

    The Committee will review pertinent evidence provided to it and take such steps as are reasonable to determine whether the complaint merits action under the Ethics Code.

    As part of its investigation, if the Committee deems necessary, it may ask for and review further information.

    The Committee can recommend sanctions to the Board if an ethics violation is established under its Rules of Procedures. The Board will determine the specific sanction based on the evidence presented by the Committee, which will be communicated to the Respondent in writing by the Board.

  • The Committee will make reasonable efforts to investigate claims in a timely manner and to keep you up to date.

  • We retain factual information about complaints we receive and action taken. We keep this for 7 years in a closed file, in line with standard practice.

  • The Ethics Committee is made up of volunteer IEDTA members appointed by the Board, usually for two years. Membership of the Committee therefore changes as and when new individuals are appointed by the Board.

    The current Chair of the Ethics Committee is Marilyn Gulland. It is the policy of the Ethics Committee not to disclose the identities of other members of the Ethics Committee.

  • You can email the Ethics Committee at ethics@iedta.net