PREAMBLE
1. In evaluating the conduct of PTTFP Members, differentiating the ethics of the professional group from the individual morality of the therapist and accepting the influence of unconscious processes on the therapist’s activity, we allow for the therapist’s internal conflict in this respect. We recognise, therefore, that a therapist’s conscious declaration of axiological neutrality cannot encompass all of their emotional reactions to the patient.
2. The PTTFP Code of Ethics sets out the basic ethical principles for PTTFP members, reflects the values of respect for human rights, the principles of psychodynamic and transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) and professional obligations to patients, colleagues and society.
3. PTTFP members should be familiar with the legal provisions in Poland regarding confidentiality and their implications for practising psychotherapists.
4. The fundamental reference point for this Code is the universal human rights contained in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
 Secrecy and confidentiality
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1. PTTFP members are obliged to take all reasonable steps to maintain the secrecy of the psychotherapeutic process, i.e., to maintain the confidentiality of all information provided by the patient, obtained in the course of their work with the patient and the fact of their participation in psychotherapy. Secrecy may be lifted at the request of the patient or in a situation where the patient’s health or life is at risk, or the health or life of others involved in the patient’s life is at risk, and for the purpose of exchanging information with the treating physician for the purpose of sharing therapeutic and therapeutic interventions, which is done with the knowledge and consent of the patient and/or the patient’s legal guardian (in the case of patients under 18 years of age).
2. In the supervision process, the therapist and supervisor are obliged to maintain the principle of confidentiality.
3. PTTFP members may not make an audio and/or video recording without the patient’s consent or use such material for training, conference purposes without this consent.
Relationship between the psychotherapist and patient
1. In their therapeutic activities, PTTFP members are guided primarily by the welfare of the patient, understood as a change in mental functions and a change in the ways of their behaviour, disturbed in the light of generally accepted norms, with the principle of caring for the welfare of the patient also applying after the psychotherapeutic relationship has ended.
2. During the treatment process, PTTFP members do not consciously impose their own belief and value system on patients and respect the patient’s right to hold their own different beliefs.
3. PTTFP members remain unbiased in their therapeutic relationships, performing their work with honesty and integrity, respecting patients and striving to set the highest ethical and clinical standards.
4. The process of psychotherapy should be preceded by the psychotherapist establishing a therapeutic contract and a framework for psychotherapy so that the patient (and, in the case of children and adolescents, also their parent or legal guardian) can understand the nature, principles and practical aspects of the treatment before agreeing to it.
 The foundation of the therapy framework is the principle that therapy should take place in direct contact between therapist and patient, which excludes contracting and conducting therapy online.
0. The therapeutic relationship is voluntary; the patient has the right to discontinue treatment at any time.
1. A PTTFP member does not undertake psychotherapy of relatives or friends.
2. The PTTFP member avoids any social relationship with the patient in order to maintain impartiality and effectiveness in the therapy process and does not use the relationship with the patient and their dependants for non-therapeutic purposes.
3. A PTTFP member adheres to the principle that the psychotherapeutic relationship excludes relationships of a sexual nature and any aspiration by the therapist, either in word or deed, to have a sexual relationship with the patient. This principle applies both during and after the psychotherapy process.
4. Contact with third parties, i.e. the patient’s family members or friends, can only take place with the patient’s prior consent. The above rule does not apply to the treatment of minors or people in a situation where their own or others’ lives are in danger.
5. If the PTTFP therapist interrupts psychotherapy for any reason, they should point out the possibilities of alternative treatment to the patient.
Supervision and professional development
1. PTTFP members have a duty of care to ensure the quality of their therapeutic processes and to minimise the risk of making mistakes by submitting their professional work to supervision, cooperating with other professionals and learning and developing their professional competence.
2. PTTFP members should conduct their practice within the limits of their own competence, and seek professional consultation or supervision in any situation that may exceed those limits.
3. PTTFP members should limit their work or refrain from professional practice when their physical or mental health is seriously impaired, and should seek appropriate advice if they have doubts about their ability to practise competently.
4. The supervisor of the PTTFP is committed to the professionalism and quality of the supervision process with attention focused on the welfare of the patient.
5. In the supervision process, the therapist and supervisor are obliged to maintain the principle of confidentiality.
Publications and research
1. When publishing or presenting clinical or supervision material in oral, written or audio/audiovisual form, PTTFP members are expected to make every effort to ensure patient anonymity and, where clinically appropriate, to obtain the patient’s consent to the presentation or publication of the material.
2. In a research situation, the nature, purpose and conditions of research involving clinical material must be fully explained to the patient and informed consent obtained.
3. Members attending any media or other public events must exercise discretion and caution, particularly with regard to confidentiality, and any information and material obtained in working with a patient must be properly safeguarded against the possibility of identifying the patient.
Conflict of interest
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1. When conflicting interests arise between the institution where the PTTFP Member is employed and the patient, the welfare and interests of the person being treated should be chosen.
2. If a PTTFP Member has different professional roles, they take every effort in the relationship with the patient to ensure that the therapeutic role structures the implementation of the other roles.
Professional environment
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1. PTTFP members should take care of their own and the society’s good name, and make judgements about colleagues and associates that contain truthful information. Criticism of colleagues must be based on facts and conducted fairly and thoroughly.
2. In situations of necessity, members of the Society have the right to expect support from the community and its institutional representatives based on sound judgement.
Rights and obligations of the members of the PTTFP
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1. PTTFP members are entitled to professional secrecy, i.e. information obtained in connection with the provision of psychotherapy. Exceptions to this rule are defined by common law.
2. PTTFP members determine the working method most beneficial for the patient in the light of their current diagnosis.
3. Members must limit their professional practice to their own areas of competence and, in any situation that exceeds these boundaries, seek professional consultation or redirect the patient to another specialist.
4. PTTFP members have the right to set boundaries in psychotherapeutic work, including dealing with abusive or aggressive behaviour on the part of the patient.
5. PTTFP members have the right to refuse to undertake psychotherapy when they consider that they are not able to conduct psychotherapy reliably, or if the patient’s expectations are unrealistic or harmful to the patient or the environment.
6. PTTFP members are entitled to the support of the professional community.
7. A member of the PTTFP against whom a complaint of unethical behaviour has been submitted to the Disciplinary Board has the right to review the complaint, to defend themselves, to appoint witnesses and proxies.
Procedures for reporting violations and rules of professional conduct
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1. All complaints concerning violations of the rules of professional ethics by psychotherapists affiliated to the Polish TFP Society shall be considered and resolved by the Disciplinary Board. The detailed competences of the various bodies and the procedure for appealing against decisions are laid down in the Society’s Statute and in the Code of Ethics and the Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Board.
2. The Polish TFP Society shall establish and make available the Code of Ethics of the Polish TFP Society and provide procedures for addressing and resolving alleged or apparent unethical behaviour and practices by members of the Polish TFP Society.
3. The Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Board of the First and Second Instance describe the procedures under which, applications and complaints will be received, heard and considered in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Polish TFP Society.
4. A member of the PTTFP, in a situation of suspected breach of the Code of Ethics, shall be subject to procedures aimed at adjudication of the case based on the principles described in the Rules of the Disciplinary Board of the Polish TFP Society.
5. Any complaints lodged against members suspected of breaching the Code of Ethics of the Polish TFP Society are dealt with under the procedures described in the Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Board. Information on the Board’s actions shall be submitted in the form of a report to the Board of the Polish TFP Society. The Disciplinary Board acts on the basis of the Society’s Statute and the Code of Professional Ethics of the Polish TFP Society. Applications and complaints are dealt with in accordance with the rules of law in force in Poland.
6. PTTFP members against whom proceedings are pending are obliged to cooperate with the relevant authorities of the Polish TFP Society and not to take any action that might impede them. Failure to comply with this obligation may itself constitute an ethical breach. If a member resigns from the Polish TFP Society while an ethics complaint is being investigated, the complaint will nevertheless be investigated and brought to a conclusion. At the same time, it should be emphasised that all proceedings are based on the principle of the presumption of innocence.
7. A complaint against a PTTFP member addressed to the Disciplinary Board of the Polish TFP Society must meet the formal requirements described in the Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Board of the Polish TFP Society.
FINAL PROVISIONS
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1. This Code sets out the fundamental ethical principles and a breach of any of these principles will be treated with the utmost seriousness and dealt with accordingly.
2. Each PTTFP Member is responsible for knowing and abiding by this Code of Ethics.
3. This Code may evolve over time based on professional experience and changing values, subject to the decisions of the Executive Board of the Polish TFP Society.