Czech-Moravian Psychological Society ‒ Board of Ethics

CODE OF ETHICS
OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFESSION

Version 2017
 Code of Ethics of the Psychological Profession
Version 2017

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFESSION

Preamble

The psychological community, dedicated to its commitments towards the psychological

profession and the public, releases this Code of Ethics to govern the exercise of the
psychological profession in research, teaching and practice1.

The psychological community recognizes that the exercise of the psychological profession is
influenced by its socio-cultural and political context, and places therefore great emphasis on
its members’ (including students of psychology) honesty and responsibility and on their
permanent sensitivity towards ethical issues and dilemmas.

The psychological community defines in the present Code of Ethics a psychologist's2

professionalism, competence, professional relationship and the process of professional
cooperation. In doing so, it aims for a psychologist to be ethically correct and knowledgeable
of the promoted set of values while fulfilling the purpose of psychology which is to
describe, understand, anticipate and influence human experiences, thinking and actions.

This Code of Ethics contributes to the public trustworthiness of the profession and to the
protection of clients and representatives of the profession. This Code of Ethics also represents
a professional standard because the Czech Republic currently lacks a common professional
standard setting out requirements for the profession3.

1
”Practice” means awareness raising, publishing, psychological diagnostics, counseling, therapy,
community actions and other activities – i.e. a psychologist's efforts aimed at influencing other
people's thinking, actions, experiences or situation.
2
The Code of Ethics uses the term “psychologist” to refer to psychologists in general with an
emphasis on individual responsibility.
3
The European Federation of Psychologist's Associations (EFPA) seeks to set out European
professional standards in psychology in its Regulations for European psychologists from July 2015
(EFPA Regulations on EuroPsy and Appendices), see http://www.europsy-efpa.eu/regulations. It
includes six primary competences of a psychologist (goal specification; assessment; development and
testing of procedures on the basis of psychological theory; intervention; evaluation; communication),
as well as enabling competences (ranging from the ability to choose an appropriate strategy for dealing
with the problem, through continuing development, professional relations and management, to quality
assurance and self-reflection).

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I. A PSYCHOLOGIST’S PROFESSIONALISM
A psychologist's professionalism is governed by the values and expertise of the profession,
a psychologist's personal and social responsibility and his/her relationship with clients,
other parties, colleagues and other stakeholders (the public). These values, responsibility and
the nature of the relationship also imply the duty to respect confidentiality.

I. 1 Values and principles of the psychological profession4

A psychologist's ethical framework is formed by the European values of freedom and
solidarity5 and by fundamental human rights and freedoms included in the Charter of
Fundamental Rights which has the same legal standing as the Czech constitution. This means
respecting people's freedom and equal dignity and rights regardless of their sex, race, skin
color, language, belief and religion, political or any other opinion, ethnic or social origin,
membership of a national or ethnic minority, property, birth or other standing, and also no
discrimination based on genetic traits, handicap, age, sexual orientation6 or gender identity.

Psychology's established interest in a person means that, besides this set of values,
psychology ethics also adheres to the principles of personal rights protection7. Which
primarily means protecting, supporting and respecting life, health, freedom8, honor, dignity
and privacy of all people involved, including psychologists themselves, as well as their
involvement in the decision-making process concerning their matters9. It also means that a
psychologist is responsible and honest in honoring the commitments resulting from these
values and principles.

Psychology views a person as a social being. Psychology ethics therefore looks at psycho-
social health of individuals within the context of the above mentioned values and through the
lens of their relation to self, to others and the world.

4
Ethics is based on values. The values and principles of the psychological profession reappear
throughout the whole Code of Ethics. For more details about ethical competences see chapters I. 5, II.
4, III. 2 and IV.
5
European values, on which the European identity is built, include the respect of human beings, their
freedoms, rights and dignity; the principles of solidarity and responsibility; legal order and equality
before the law; cultural diversity; strengthening the European social model; the development of local
autonomy and civil society. (EU Committee of the Regions, Conclusions of the Conference-debate of
the Commission for Constitutional Affairs, European Governance and the Area of Freedom, Security
and Justice, Münster, May 2nd 2007.). See also The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European
Union from 2000.
6
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000, Article 21).
7
Act no 89/2012 Sb., Civil Code s. 3 (2) (a)
8
Psychologists also cooperate with people sentenced to imprisonment. A psychologist honors the
values and principles stated in this Code with these circumstances in mind.
9
People in general (including minors and people with limited legal capacity) decide about their matters
relying to various extents on the support of other people. Helping professions operate within the
continuum ranging from “the best interest” of the child to the “rights, will and preferences” of adults
including people with limited legal capacity. (See the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.)

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I. 2 Expertise10
The exercise of the psychological profession is based on a psychologist's competence, i.e.
knowledge, skills and ethical attitudes acquired through appropriate university and
postgraduate education, expert supervision (meaning control)11 and enhanced reflexivity12.
Life-long development of this competence includes practical experience with an emphasis on
critical reflection of knowledge and self-reflection about one's own skills and attitudes.

Over their professional career, psychologists may enhance their psychological competences
by additional expertise and serve subsequently in various roles (researcher, therapist,
supervisor, manager, court-appointed expert, etc.) while still honoring and defending the
values and principles of the psychological profession stated in this Code.

I. 3 Personal and social responsibility13

In the exercise of the psychological profession, as well as in civil life, a psychologist acts
within the context of human rights and psycho-social health, and actively protects and
promotes the values and principles advocated by this Code. A psychologist is aware of the
political and power circumstances of this engagement.

I. 4 Relationship with clients, other parties, colleagues and other

stakeholders (the public)14
A psychologist's expert role is articulated in his/her professional relationship with clients,
other parties15, colleagues and the public, i.e. the relationship that reflects the values and

10
For further description of professional competences see chapters II. 2, III. 2 and IV.
11
The term “expert supervision” (meaning control) is used in Healthcare Service Act no 372/2011 Sb.;
the EuroPsy System in the Czech Republic uses the term “mentoring”. Expressions such as
“methodical guidance”, “internal supervision” etc. are used in a similar meaning. Based on expert
supervision during initial training, a psychology graduate may even be refused entry into the
psychological community. This responsibility is currently emphasized in the field of clinical
psychology and in the notion of European psychologist (EuroPsy) with the assumption that this
protection against bad practice will be subsequently required also in other fields of psychological
action.
12
Reflexivity can be regarded as the ability to discern not only one's own convictions but also the way
they are formed.
13
For further description of personal and social competences see chapters II. 1, II. 3 and for the
consequent responsibilities also chapters III. 2. and IV.
14
For further description of relationship competences see chapters III. and IV.
15
The term “client” is mostly employed in psychological helping where it nevertheless remains only
one of the options (healthcare speaks of “a patient”, community psychology prefers “a counterpart”, a
client in family therapy is “a family”). The term “student” is used in the teaching of psychology,
psychological research uses the term “respondent” etc. A client can also be an organization, a
government, a company, etc. In full awareness of this diversity, this Code of Ethics uses the word
“client” as a generic term for the set of situations of direct cooperation of a psychologist and his/her
counterpart. This cooperation may be requested by a third party (a court, the police, etc.) while other
parties (the client's parents, for instance) may intervene.

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principles stated in this Code of Ethics and forms therefore a good basis for trust,
cooperation and mutual learning16.

The more pronounced is the imbalance of knowledge and power between a psychologist and a
client, the bigger is a psychologist's responsibility for the relationship17.

Psychologists know that the roles of clients, other parties, colleagues and the public change
according to circumstances. They honor the above mentioned values and principles in relation
to everyone, making no difference. They recognize a multilateral contractual field18 and
make it understandable using written contracts and informed consents19, while primarily
keeping in mind and clearly identifying the client's interest20 or several interests (in
research, for instance).

I. 5 Confidentiality / Privacy
When the cooperation is terminated, a psychologist still has an obligation to protect the
client’s confidential and personal information and not to disclose facts related to this
information and obtained during the exercise of psychological profession to avoid harming
the client's honor, dignity and privacy and mutual trust.

A psychologist is exceptionally permitted to disclose confidential information without the

consent of the client, but preferably with the client's knowledge, when fulfilling the civil duty
to report or to prevent a crime21 or when this information is used for legal protection of the
psychologist at trial. Further disclosure of information is governed by an informed consent22
agreed between a psychologist and a client.

16
We can take quotation, presentation and publication ethics (respect to copyright) as an example.
17
See Lindsay, G., Koene, C., Oevreeide, H., & Lang, F. (2010). Etika pro evropské psychology.
Praha: Triton, Hogrefe - Testcentrum, p. 72.
18
A multilateral contractual field might arise when the work provided by a psychologist is ordered
(or paid for) by a third party (when a company pays for the psychological evaluation of its employees
or job applicants, for instance) or when a psychologist cooperates with an individual within a family
context (psychological evaluation of a child while respecting parental rights of both parents, for
instance) or within a group (group psychotherapy, for instance) or is publicly giving an opinion on an
expert topic.
19
When drafting an informed consent with a client (or in a multilateral contractual field with parents
and with their child, for instance), psychologists should bear in mind a possible cooperation with other
experts within the helping network or within a multidisciplinary team and to facilitate it.
20
An interest is usually understood as a tendency to define and meet important objectives based on
one's needs and values (paraphrasing Kříž, Z., 2002, ÚSS/2002–S–1–031, p. 38). An interest therefore
means striving for some kind of good which is also often expressed in an individual's will, preferences
and rights. A psychologist and a client might not share the same notion of good; their cooperation
must nevertheless remain within the boundaries of the set of values promoted by this Code. Example:
In a traffic psychology assessment, the driver's interest is to obtain a driving license, while diagnostic
findings make the psychologist believe that the driver is not eligible. But both the driver and the
psychologist share a set of values that prioritizes life and health.
21
See § 367 and 368 of Act no 40/2009 Sb. of the Criminal Code.
22
For further details see chapter IV. 1.

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II. A PSYCHOLOGIST'S COMPETENCE

The exercise of the psychological profession is based on a psychologist's competence, i.e.
knowledge, skills and ethical attitudes acquired through appropriate university and
postgraduate education, expert supervision (meaning control) and enhanced reflexivity. A
psychologist engages in a life-long development of this competence which includes practical
experience with an emphasis on critical reflection of knowledge and self-reflection about
one's own skills and attitudes.

II. 1 Diversity competence

A psychologist

a) respects peoples' equality in dignity and rights and consciously strives to be open to
difference;

b) is aware of the diversity of values and actively considers (reflects upon) own values,
preferences, attitudes, stereotypes and prejudices;

c) does not see own opinions as universally shared beliefs and makes them understandable
to others;

d) understands and actively considers his/her possible bias in a multilateral contractual field;
strives for impartiality or, as the case may be (in circumstances when the promoted values
and principles are at risk), for clear and reasoned explanation of partiality;

e) in conflicts relies on and refers to the values and principles promoted by this Code and
sees conflicts besides other things as an opportunity for understanding and personal
development of the parties involved.

II. 2 Professional competence

A psychologist

a) has a general responsibility towards the psychological profession and a specific

responsibility for own expertise;

b) acts only within the boundaries given by her/his university or postgraduate degree and
practice, expert supervision (meaning control) and enhanced reflexivity;

c) does not harm the psychological profession by procedures or statements in areas in which
he/she lacks the appropriate level of expertise;

d) does not lower the standards of the profession even when urged to do so in various
manners;

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e) engages in life-long learning and fostering of the ability of critical reflection; is aware of
contemporary environment of permanent and critical changes and of rapidly developing
knowledge and procedures in psychology and related fields;

f) follows the principles of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence23 and

understands the benefits and limitations of both procedures by relying on methodological
knowledge and critical thinking;

g) understands the current legal, ethical and professional context24 of the psychological
profession and adjusts the procedures used accordingly;

h) is aware of own abilities and limitations, actively seeks feedback from clients, colleagues,
supervisors and subordinates, and when professionally in doubt requests support through
methodological guidance or consultations with colleagues within a professional
association.

II. 3 Personal competence

A psychologist

a) strives for personality development and enhanced self-reflection over the whole course of
practice;

23
Evidence-based practice in psychology is defined as “the integration of the best available research
with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences” (American
Psychological Association, 2005).
The recent approach of practice-based evidence integrates “both individual clinical expertise and
service-level parameters with the best available evidence drawn from rigorous research activity carried
out in routine clinical settings”. (Barkham, M., Stiles, W. B., Lambert, M. J., Mellor-Clark, J. /2010/:
Building a rigorous and relevant knowledge base for the psychological therapies. In Barkham, M.,
Hardy, G. E., Mellor-Clark, J. (Eds.), Developing and delivering practice-based evidence – a guide for
the psychological therapies (21-61). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.) This approach means to rely more
on procedures and results representing “good practice” and on the organizational framework.
Organizations (such as hospitals) embrace their mission, values and vision and thus ensure a certain
level of service based on quality standards.
The definitions speak of “clinical expertise” because they come from an environment where it is
assumed that psychologists practice psychotherapy within the healthcare system.
Nevertheless, the movement of “evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence” is currently
affecting all helping professions, education included. It is advisable to bear in mind that it is only one
of many options of achieving quality of care and integrity of the profession. Recently, the “real world
evidence” approach based on data collected from sources outside of traditional clinical trials has
emerged. (See National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine /2017/. Real-world
evidence generation and evaluation of therapeutics: Proceedings of a workshop. Washington, DC:
The National Academies Press.).
24
Law and ethics develop constantly. Professional organizations (such as various psychological
associations) protect the profession by defining qualification prerequisites for the provision of
specialized services, guaranteeing the corresponding postgraduate education and methodological
guidance for practice, overseeing performance quality and backing their members’ professional
identity.

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b) cares for staying in good shape; strives to be understandable; is conscious that he/she is
the main resource of psychological practice;

c) deals with potential complaints with honor and dignity; in case of a mistake admits to the
error, apologizes and, when possible, takes remedial action.

II. 4 Ethical competence

A psychologist

a) cultivates his/her ethical sensitivity, knowledge of ethical approaches and the skills of
ethical thinking and decision-making for the whole time of the psychological career;

b) actively seeks to respect the Code of Ethics and other ethical guidelines (such as ethical
standards drafted by professional associations);

c) promotes and defends values, principles and procedures stated in the Code of Ethics in all
areas of activity;

d) is aware that he/she acts as a representative of psychology while engaging in research,

teaching, publishing, expert communication, cooperation with colleagues, leadership,
experience sharing, promotion of own work and public appearances, and respects
therefore the promoted values for enhanced trust, cooperation and mutual learning.

f) understands the political and other pressures surrounding the exercise of the profession
and strives to face them with honor;

e) makes another psychologist or a colleague aware of their violation of ethical principles

or, if need be, notifies the Ethical Committee;

f) engages in a career-long cultivation of conscience, decency and thorough overall ethical

reflection; uses various methods of reflexivity enhancement, including support from
colleagues while dealing with ethical dilemmas.

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III. PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP

Professional relationship with clients, other parties, colleagues and the public is based on the
values and principles stated in the present Code of Ethics. A psychologist strives to establish a
working alliance supporting trust, cooperation and mutual learning. Which means,
besides other things, recognizing the interests of individual parties entering the negotiations
about the purpose of the cooperation, and assuming responsibility for the ways of using
power and influence.

III. 1 Field of interests

A psychologist

a) knows whose interest guides the undertaken action and clearly identifies this interest;
protects the rights and legitimate interests of a client;

b) is aware of the various interests involved and knows when it is appropriate to negotiate a
multilateral written contract25;

c) clearly identifies a situation when his/her position or engagement within a multilateral

contractual field changes and negotiates contract modification, i.e. even possible
termination of cooperation26;

d) is aware of a possible conflict of interests27 and takes steps to make the interests clear and
resolve the conflict correctly.

25
The notion of “the child's best interests” can be used as an argument by all parties in the context of a
child custody court proceedings to justify the opposing solutions proposed by both parents and the
child protection body. A psychologist in such a situation must clarify and define individual
responsibilities and what is expected from the psychological intervention without assuming that
everybody wants the same thing.
26
In a situation, for instance, when a psychologist receives a family for family therapy, the parents
eventually begin divorce proceedings and the psychologist gradually starts supporting one of the
parties. In such a case, the psychologist should properly terminate service provision to the family and
sign a new contract with the new client, i.e. the family member the psychologist intends to support. A
reverse process (a psychologist supporting one family member becomes a therapist of the whole
family) is not possible.
27
Such as a psychologist providing career counseling or skill assessment covered by a labor office or a
different public body to a client and then taking on the same client for private therapy in less than two
years.

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III. 2 Responsibility for using power

A psychologist

a) actively reflects the various forms of his/her power and influence in his/her relationship
with clients, other parties, colleagues and the public;

b) while cooperating with all the parties involved, uses his/her power and influence in a
responsible manner and in the name of the values and principles promoted and defended
by the present Code28;

c) recognizes the nature of the relationship with the client and its level of asymmetry and
establishes an adequate distribution of responsibility, this also applies to the risks inherent
to the psychologist's or the client's conduct or situation29;

d) protects the client's honor, dignity and privacy on a long-term basis, i.e. even in
circumstances when the client did not make any such request (primarily in media and in
indirect forms of psychological help, such as on-line counseling), and discusses these
issues with the client;

e) makes public statements (in media, for instance) while taking into account his/her
responsibility towards the psychological profession, as well as current scientific methods
or findings, even if critical of some of theses methods or findings. A psychologist's
responses are based on a greater knowledge of a wider background and not on questions
taken out of context, for instance.

f) does not make any statements about an individual that he/she did not have the possibility
to observe or assess, even if under pressure to do so;

g) protects clients from inappropriate or wrong30 usage of psychological methods and from
the consequences of such usage;

h) protects psychological methods from misuse, devaluation and other risks that might arise
from their inappropriate or wrong usage;

i) proceeds with extreme caution when conducting research or making expert statements
about an individual without his/her consent;

28
For example a psychologist turns to the family or a child protection body etc. for cooperation if the
behavior of a child in therapy indicates maltreatment, sexual abuse or neglect. He/she limits all
statements to the description of the signs manifested by the child because he/she is aware that making
unfounded assumptions public is similar to defamatory statements and it could harm the reputation of
another.
29
For instance a researcher agrees not to provide identifiable information collected from employees to
their employer even if the research was ordered by the employer. The risks of this situation are a lack
of trust on the side of employees (respondents), dissatisfaction on the side of the ordering party etc.
30
An inappropriate usage means for example using a diagnostic method that cannot answer the
question that led to the psychological assessment. A wrong usage of a diagnostic method means for
example making diagnostic conclusions without regard for various contexts (cultural, developmental,
gender, situational) or without regard for the sufficient or insufficient validity of test results.
Inappropriate or wrong choices must also be avoided in research, counseling or therapy.

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j) does not use psychological knowledge to ridicule, shame, downplay or disadvantage

another, such as in conflict or in dispute31.

III. 3 Working alliance and its protection

A psychologist

a) protects the working alliance and encourages mutual trust. Therefore, a psychologist
avoids situations that could disrupt mutual trust and harm the contractual or emotional
nature of the working alliance;

b) refrains from entering into multiple relationships, especially those that would allow
him/her to benefit from the dependency of another person and exploit that person to meet
own needs32;

c) protects himself/herself from exploitative or otherwise harmful relationships;

d) operates in an environment suitable33 for the chosen type of psychological cooperation.

31
Interpreting or explaining the behavior of an individual with the aim of degrading or otherwise
harming this individual must also be considered as misuse of professional power on the side of the
psychologist.
32
Such as entering into a sexual relationship with a client, accepting reciprocal services and gifts,
psychological assessment of acquaintances etc.
33
A psychologist can operate in various environments – in an office, at the premises of an employing
organization, at the client's apartment. A psychologist should always consider whether the given
environment allows to act with the appropriate professional, personal and ethical competences, and
whether it is friendly for the client and the given task. Environmental influences are understood as a
specific kind of communication. Examples range from health (the client should not be exposed to
passive smoking), to dignity (the client is not forced to take off his/her shoes) or privacy-related issues
(the client is not asked to fill out questionnaires in the waiting room surrounded by other clients) etc.

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IV. PROCESS OF PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION

A psychologist cooperating with a client in research, teaching, expertise or helping practice

observes ethical principles in all stages of work: from contract negotiation and signing, when
the purpose and objectives of the cooperation and the corresponding psychological
methods to be used are defined, through results sharing and reporting, to various manners
of documentation protection.

IV. 1 Contracts and informed consent34

A psychologist
a) provides full information to all the parties involved while respecting their freedom to
decide for themselves according to their will, preferences and rights;
b) refuses to conduct research, teach, provide assessment or intervene outside of the
boundaries of his/her knowledge, skills and responsibility;
c) establishes the purpose of the cooperation within the boundaries set by the values
promoted by this Code of Ethics, with primary focus on the client's interest. In case of a
multilateral contract, considers also other interests, implied or agreed35.
d) negotiates the terms and conditions of cooperation and puts them in writing, especially
in the case of a multilateral contractual field. Informed consent consisting of an
information sheet and a consenting declaration is an example of such a contract.
A consenting declaration without an information sheet is invalid36.

34
Oral contracts and oral informing are also acceptable. A written contract is necessary in a multilateral
contractual field, i.e. also when a client is giving consent to inform other parties.
35
A psychologist takes these various interests into consideration even when (and especially when)
these interests are not represented in the contract. Such as in the context of a child custody court
proceedings: if working only with one parent, a psychologist does not disclose (in a report for the
court, for instance) the parent's statements about the other parent who has no means of defense or
protection.
36
The contents of the information sheet may vary according to circumstances. In any case it includes:
purpose and expected course of cooperation; involvement of third and other parties; terms and
limitations of confidentiality/privacy; fees/remuneration (therapy payment terms, remuneration for
research participants); procedure risks and benefits; documenting/reporting/results sharing procedures;
contact information of a person or an organization for further information or complaints. A contract on
follow-up or continuation of psycholo-gical care is adjusted to the agreed nature of the cooperation.
The information sheet and the consenting declaration must always emphasize the voluntary nature of
partici-pation and the possibility to opt out anytime.

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e) Information sharing rules37 are also part of the contract and usually deal with result
reporting and information sharing with persons 1) selected by the client, 2) relevant to the
client's continuity of care or to cooperative care (in a multidisciplinary team, for
instance), 3) relevant to a psychologist's professional stability and development
(supervision, inspection, complaints etc.).

IV. 2 Formulating the objectives of cooperation and the corresponding use

of psychological methods

A psychologist

a) is in charge of formulating the case or defining the purpose of research or education, i.e.
establishing with the client the procedure38 of cooperation and its objectives with respect
to its purpose/outcome;

b) is fully responsible for using verified39 and quality40 psychological (research, teaching,
diagnostic, intervention) methods and for respecting the applicable standards and
recommended procedures in research, teaching, assessment and intervention.

c) interprets expert findings within the comprehensive notion of the theory of human
psyche41 while applying theoretical fundaments and historical development of the
diagnostic, research or intervention methods used, indicating their methodological
contexts and limits and focusing on the purpose of the given research, teaching,
assessment or intervention;42

d) knows and offers interpretation alternatives to research and diagnostic results and applied
interventions.

37
Sharing information with a client's consent means, besides other things, that the information shared
relates only to the client and not to the individuals whose consent was not obtained. A psychologist
proceeds with extreme caution if, for some reason, information about individuals whose consent was
not obtained must be shared.
38
The usage of somehow non-standard or non-verified procedures must be agreed with extreme
precision. In such cases the written informed consent gains on importance because the information
sheet contains the procedure's possible risks and benefits and emphasizes that the procedure is not
outdated and suits the given purpose.
39
When speaking of psycho-diagnostic methods, “verified” means standardized or based on expert
psychological experience (see evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence).
40
Using tools of verified validity, or tools the validity of which can be derived from international
comparison.
41
A psychologist is able to answer the following question: “On which theory is your assumption
based?” The answer should mirror the current set of available findings, taking into account, besides
other things, personality psychology, gender, developmental and cultural context, including the
psychologist's own notion of the human being.
42
Especially in the field of diagnostics, a psychologist refrains from using methods that are not
obtained in appropriate pre-graduate or life-long psychological education or the weight and theoretical
explanation of which he/she is unable to provide in the given diagnostic context.

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IV. 3 Presenting results and written reporting

A psychologist

a) presents the results of his/her efforts to the client in a comprehensive manner and
indicates their limitations; sufficiently explains his/her conclusions, respects test validity,
separates assumptions from facts and opinions from suppositions; encourages questions
and verifies the client's understanding; respects a client's wish not to be informed about
the results of the psychological activity;

b) releases written reports while keeping in mind his/her inability to influence who is going
to handle them and for which purpose; always keeps proper documentation43;

c) refuses questions from a third party (child protection body, court, etc.) if they are not
covered by a contract with the client or a multilateral contract or if by answering, the
psychologist would question his/her ethical or professional standard or the reputation of
psychology.44

IV. 4 Protection and maintenance of documentation

A psychologist

a) documents his/her activity for many reasons45;

b) keeps the documentation in a way that does not harm the honor, dignity and privacy of
the client and other parties, including colleagues;

c) defines with the client or in a multilateral contract how, where, by whom, and for how
long the documentation is stored and respects the applicable legal standards governing
documentation collecting, storage and shredding;

d) bears in mind the client's rights and values promoted by this Code of Ethics, even in
circumstances when the documentation is stored by someone else.46

43
Written reports must always include: their purpose; who, when, to whom and why is submitting the
report; conclusions and their explanations; date, signature.
44
Examples: A psychologist can't make statements about people and their relationships without having
had the possibility to observe or assess these people and their relationships. A court's questions
(addressed to a court appointed expert in a court proceedings on limiting a person's legal capacity, for
instance) that do not take into consideration society's development towards inclusion should not be
answered.
45
Documentation allows to follow the fulfillment of established objectives, to verify the agreed
distribution of responsibility and power, reassess diagnostic results, track research data, repeat an
experiment etc.
46
If for instance a psychologist is involved in a job applicant selection process in a company that
collects and keeps applicants' data, the psychologist should insist on a written multilateral contract
identifying the responsibilities and rights of all parties. This means, besides other things, clearly
defining the scope of control that the psychologist has over the use of test results and that the clients
(job applicants) have over their personal data and results, to provide for a re-assessment of these
results, for instance.

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V. SANCTIONS

When a psychologist's behavior or procedure is found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics

of the Psychological Profession, it's up to the Ethics Committee to propose measures based on
the seriousness of the violation.

a) In case of a less serious misconduct, the Ethics Committee may recognize that the
violation proceedings alone serve the desired punitive function. It may also recommend
to the psychologist, whose behavior or procedures were found to be in violation of the
Code of Ethics, to take on additional education/training reflecting the nature of his/her
misconduct, professional role47 and task and responsibilities in the given role.

b) In case of a serious violation of the Code of Ethics, the Ethics Committee can impose a
range of disciplinary measures: a reprimand; a suspension of membership in a
professional organization (psychological association); a revocation of membership in a
professional organization (psychological association).

VI. The obligation of the Ethical code of the psychological profession

This Ethical code is obligatory for all members of the Czech-Moravian Psychological Society.
They are required to get acquainted with this code and to comply with it. The obligation of the
Ethical code is established by its adoption and publication. The Code of Ethics for
psychological profession was approved by the Czech-Moravian Psychological Society on 1st
of December 2017 and it becomes effective on the date of its subsequent publication.

Prague, 1st December 2017

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Such as the role of researcher, counselor, teacher, student, court-appointed expert etc. Professional
roles are mirrored in education/trainings usually provided for given field by different psychological
associations.

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 Code of Ethics of the Psychological Profession
Version 2017

Index
CODE OF ETHICS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFESSION .......................................... 1
Preamble ..................................................................................................................................... 1
I. A PSYCHOLOGIST’S PROFESSIONALISM .................................................................... 2
I. 1 Values and principles of the psychological profession ........................................................ 2
I. 2 Expertise .............................................................................................................................. 3
I. 3 Personal and social responsibility ........................................................................................ 3
I. 4 Relationship with clients, other parties, colleagues and other stakeholders ....................... 3
I. 5 Confidentiality / Privacy ...................................................................................................... 4
II. A PSYCHOLOGIST'S COMPETENCE ............................................................................... 5
II. 1 Diversity competence ......................................................................................................... 5
II. 2 Professional competence .................................................................................................... 5
II. 3 Personal competence .......................................................................................................... 6
II. 4 Ethical competence ............................................................................................................. 7
III. PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP ................................................................................... 8
III. 1 Field of interests ................................................................................................................ 8
III. 2 Responsibility for using power ......................................................................................... 9
III. 3 Working alliance and its protection ................................................................................ 10
IV. PROCESS OF PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION ......................................................... 11
IV. 1 Contracts and informed consent ...................................................................................... 11
IV. 2 Formulating the objectives of cooperation and the corresponding use of psychological
methods .................................................................................................................................... 12
IV. 3 Presenting results and written reporting .......................................................................... 13
IV. 4 Protection and maintenance of documentation ............................................................... 13
V. SANCTIONS....................................................................................................................... 14
VI. The obligation of the Ethical code of the psychological profession .................................. 14

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