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- I will make every effort when appropriate (e.g. except when the client is in crisis) to complete a comprehensive standard Clinical Assessment at the beginning of the counselling relationship;
- If I do not have the skill level to provide the help needed, I will refer a client to other qualified professionals;
- I will preserve the client's right to confidentiality and will not release any identifying information verbally or in writing without the client's signed permission (excepting the threat of suicide, homicide or suspected child abuse or when requested by a Court of law);
- I will not engage in any relationship with the client other than the counsellor-client relationship;
- I will not touch a client and convey any message which might be interpreted as expressing sexual feelings for the client;
- I will avoid statements to the client which suggest possible causes (e.g. childhood sexual abuse) of current difficulties but will allow insight and recovery of memories to come from the client;
- I will inform the client that mental images which emerge during hypnosis or guided imagery may not be memories of actual events;
- I will provide a safe, private setting for counselling;
- I will not require payment of a fee for service before consent to the service has been provided;
- I will not introduce spiritual concepts unless I am previously known to the client as providing spiritual or pastoral counselling;
- I will make every effort to relate to the client intentionally for a predictable therapeutic outcome;
- I will provide a means for evaluation of progress so that the client is not misled or taken advantage of;
- I will be careful to properly assess, prevent, and document the possibility and potential of suicidal or homicidal behavior by a client;
- I will immediately (within 24 hours) report the sexual or physical abuse of a child to the police or other authorized persons;
- I will not give a client the false hope that the counselling relationship can be anything more than that, or that it can be permanent;
- I will take direct steps to inform the potential victim of homicidal threats made by a client;
- I will not use hypnosis or guided imagery as part of the treatment for a client who has been hospitalized for psychosis or major depression;
- I will not devalue the competence of another practitioner in the presence of a client but will direct any complaints to the appropriate professional disciplinary body;
- I will avoid expressing anger or reacting emotionally to the client;
- I will not advise a couple to separate or to end their relationship but will allow each party to make his or her own decision;
- I will not pressure a client to remain in a counselling relationship against the client's expressed desire to terminate;
- I am committed to my own personal growth and recovery, as essential to being an effective counsellor;
- I will not provide counselling while under the influence of alcohol or other substance which could impact negatively on the client;
- I am committed to continuing professional education and to expanding my repertoire of skills and my understanding of counselling practice.
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