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CODE OF ETHICS

  1. Basic principles
    1. This code of Ethics regulates norms of the ethics of Gestalt Therapy work and relationship between Gestalttherapist and client.
    2. First of all, a Gestalttherapist cares about the quality of mutual relations between Gestalttherapist and client, and always respects the interests and individuality of a client.
    3. Gestalttherapist supports a client in his individual development and promotes his own responsibility in all the spectra of a clients choice and making responsible decisions
    4. Gestalttherapist should realise the power of influence of all mutual relations on effectiveness of Gestalt Therapy
    5. Gestalttherapist should realise that Gestalt Therapy can leave influence on other client’s relations outside of the therapy that can provoke different conflict situations. Gestalttherapist must inform a client about potential risks.
    6. Gestalttherapist should recognize situations of dual mutual relations that exist with employer, close friends, relatives, partners, who could influence his professional decision.
    7. Gestalttherapist must not unfairly discriminate against a client because of his social origin, social economical status, age, gender, nationality, race, religion or ideological opinion.
    8. Gestalttherapist is fully responsible for his own professional activity and organises his own work in accordance with Code of Ethics of MIG and existing legislation in the country.
  1. Privacy
    1. Gestalttherapist ensures to a client full confidentiality of personal and social information except cases, which are provided in chapter 2.3; whereof informs a client when psychotherapy contract is concluded.
    2. Gestalttherapist prepares and gives the information for scientific purpose or publications in a special way, which assures full anonymity of a client.
    3. In cases when in accordance with Gestalt Therapists opinion, received information is indicative of inevitable imminent danger for person or society, he must consult with the board of MIG and must give this information to competent institutions (medical, police) whereof client is informed in the beginning of psychotherapy relations.
    4. Gestalttherapist has no rights to use acquired information in the time of psychotherapy, blackmail a client.
  2. Psychotherapy contract
    1. There must be explained to a client or a candidate what are the main features of the Gestalt Therapy and what could be positive and negative effects of the therapy before drawing up a contract. If a client or candidate agrees to the offered rules, verbal or written contract can be drawn up. If a Gestalttherapist thinks that the method is not appropriate for the client or the client refuses it, another psychotherapy method or another professional help must be offered.
    2. Gestalt Therapy contract provides the limits of Gestalt Therapy, the level of confidentiality , amount of the sessions and frequency, contacts between sessions, terms of end of Gestalt Therapy, mutual financial responsibility, possible need of medical aid, potential psychiatric consultation, order of submitting complaints.
  1. General principles of Ethics
    1. Gestalttherapist is fully responsible for his professional action especially in view of the nature of psychotherapy’s interactivity between client and Gestalttherapist, great confidence and partial interdependence.
    2. Gestalttherapist must not exploit and misuse client’s confidence, supply personal needs (emotional, sexual, social and economical using client, to be oblivious to own professional duties in relation to a client.
    3. Gestalttherapist must know about possible personal and professional limitations and disorders in work, and considering it he must consult with colleagues or supervisor or / and must send a client to another psychotherapist.
    4. It is not ethical to discuss or comment colleagues’ work in the presence of a client
    5. Gestaltthearpist must not work in the alcohol condition or intoxication from drugs, if his condition of somatic or psychical health do not allow to work on full value.
    6. Psychotherapeutic relations which are between a client and another psychotherapist must be respected in the interests of patients and in respect of colleagues.
    7. Gestalt Therapist responsible continues personal and professional development with regular supervisions and individual therapy as well as by doing research by attending professional conferences and by publishing
    8. Any noncompliance of the mentioned principles is a danger to client’s mental health, professional corporation’s image and status, effectiveness of used Gestalt Therapy methods and is regarded as a bad mistake in using psychotherapeutic methods.
  1. Advertisement
    1. Gestalttherapist must describe his services in this way as well as his professional training, qualification and profession allowed in advertising these services.
    2. It is prohibited to use untruthful information, to mention psychotherapeutic experience of the person concerned, to use testimonial methods, compare himself with colleagues and / or other psychotherapeutic directions.
  2. Safety
    1. Gestalttherapist must care about a safe environment and place for Gestalt Therapy.
    2. It is highly recommended for Gestalttherapists to insure professional activity.
  3. Complaints and order of revision
    1. Complaints about practice of a member of MIG are revised in the board of the RIG which is elected in general meeting of the RIG
    2. Members of the MIG, a complaint is received about, is informed about the content of the complaint and takes part in the meeting of the board.
    3. The board informs the general meeting of the MIG about the decision.
    4. Every member of the MIG has rights to ask another member of the MIG (members of the board) to become his adviser in the process of a compliant revision. Advisor has rights to take part in all the times of complaint revisions.
    5. Members of the MIG who have been criminally punished or a client has been a subject of civil suit, must inform the board of MIG about this fact.
    6. Members of the MIG must inform the chairman of the board of MIG about incrimination and / or possible cases, if it is associated with the practice of psychotherapy.
    7. Members of the MIG do not bring a charge of somebody with self-interested purpose and are responsible for the content of charge.
    8. MIG professionally protects its members if they meet with offence and danger. Keeping professional secrets, Gestalt Therapists respect and independence in following rules of this codex are specially protected.


It is an official document for all the members of the MIG both certified and diplomaed and certified practitioners of Gestalt.