Member Portal

Code of Ethics

Introduction

A code of ethics are the essential core values of any society and are especially important in the helping professions, where relationships between people are a central issue for  understanding, intervention and research.

The code of ethics has as purpose:

  1. To recognize the core values on which our Balint work is based on.
  2. To present a broad spectrum of principles reflected from the core values of our Balint work.
  3. To help the members of the Balint societies recognize irrelevant considerations, especially when there are conflicts between professionalism and ethical uncertainties.
  4. To constitute a monitoring tool for the members for their professional conduct.
  5. To be a tool for every member in the different societies to know their professional boundaries and responsibilities.

This code of ethics was prepared in accordance with the Ethical guidelines of The International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical Association (1) and the European Association for Psychotherapy (2) and the four principles of the Meta Code of Ethics of the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (3): 1) Respect for a person's rights and dignity. 2) Competence, 3) Responsibility and 4) Integrity.

The members of the different Balint societies are expected to act with honesty, integrity and responsibility throughout their work, knowing and complying with this Code of Ethics.

Core Values

  1. The members of the IBF shall act with the utmost respect for human life and dignity; their relationships shall be consistent with the human values of the therapeutic, supervisory and educational function. Each member shall be conscious of the effect they may have upon their colleagues, their patients and trainees.
  2. The members of the IBF will not discriminate other members on the basis of nationality, ideology, color, gender, age, or religion.
  3. The members of the IBF must practice with conscience, honesty, integrity, and accountability, while always exercising independent professional judgement and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.

General Principles

The members shall always act in a way that they reasonably believe to be in their patients’ best interests. At all times their patients’ well-being shall be of paramount importance and every care shall be taken to ensure that the patient is not exploited in any way. In a parallel way, the leaders and the members of Balint groups will act actively and with responsibility to ensure that any member will not be exploited or harmed in any way during his\her training or in Balint groups' participation.

  1. The members shall take all reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of their professional practice or participation in Balint groups and protect the privacy of individuals and organizations.
  2. The members shall be open to cooperation with their colleagues and other members of the IBF.
  3. The members should exhibit only true qualifications. They will not provide, advertise, or promote services, nor will they use methods on which they have no training or experience.
  4. If a member is convicted of a criminal offense in any court in his or her original country, or elsewhere, or any proceedings, civil, criminal or by a professional body, are initiated against him, he/she must inform the Board of the IBF. Similarly, members have the duty to inform the Board about such information pertaining to a fellow member.
  5. The members are required to maintain a sufficient level of professional competence by meeting the relevant requirements of his\her Society (leaders' accreditation, as an example) and by participating in any necessary education and training.
  6. The members must restrict their professional activities within the limits of their own competences and apply for professional advice or supervision regarding any case reaching this limit.
  7. The members although they come from different professional backgrounds must work within the limits of their own specialty and cooperate in an interdisciplinary manner with others or, if it is deemed necessary, turn to a colleague of other specialty.
  8. The members must refuse to provide psychotherapeutic care to other members of their Balint group, or if they know that they are already being treated by another psychotherapist, unless all parties have agreed to cooperate for scientifically sound reasons.
  9. The members shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that those working under their direct supervision adhere to this code and do not attempt to practice beyond their competence.
  10. The members must limit their work or refrain from practice when their physical or psychological health is seriously impaired or if in doubt about their ability to perform competently and they must seek appropriate advice, to care about their personal development and to ask for help and supervision for personal matters which may negatively impact their professional activity.
  11. The members shall seek to establish the highest ethical standards in their work and not to exceed the appropriate and professional boundaries with other members at all times.
  12. The Balint group's leaders will not engage, promise or suggest any loving relationship with other members of his\her group. This also applies for a reasonable time after the termination of the group.
  13. The research on Balint groups done by IBF members should be based on international research principles such as credibility, ethics, informed consensus, etc.
  14. The members acknowledge the contribution of their colleagues, and if they use their ideas and work, they make sure that they refer to them appropriately in the bibliography.
  15. If publishing or presenting clinical or supervisory material either orally, written or film/video form, the members must make every effort to ensure the anonymity of patients and where clinically appropriate seek the patient’s permission. In a parallel way, the leaders and the members of Balint groups will ensure that all members of the Balint group should also give permission.
  16. The members who take part in any media or other public event must exercise caution, particularly with regard to confidentiality.
  17. Members who have reservations, objections or conflicts with other members about matters of professional ethics must avoid any public criticism or defamation and seek the support of the IBF board (or a of a still to be formed Ethical council)  in resolving their issue.

1)  Ramin Walter Parsa-Parsi, The International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical Association. JAMA. 2022;328(20):2018-2021

2) Ethical Guidelines of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), 1995

3) EFPA Meta-Code of Ethics. Accepted by General Assembly in Athens, July 1995

Revised by General Assembly in Granada, July 2005

4) The Hellenic Balint Society Code of Ethics