Code of Ethics
April 2004
Introduction
Preface
Basic Tenets
Ethical Standards
I. General Conduct
II. Competence
III. Responsibilities to Those Served
IV. Responsibility to Others
V. Responsibility to Employers
VII. Responsibility to Society
VIII. Confidentiality and Privacy
Death Educators and Trainers
DE-I. Responsibility to Others
DE-II. Standards of Professional Competence
Grief Counselors/Therapists
GC-I. Responsibility to Those Served
GC-III. Responsibility to Others
Researchers in Thanatology (2)
RT- I. Responsibility to Institutions
RT-II. Responsibility to Research Participants
RT-III. Responsibility in Reporting and Publishing Data
Membership in ADEC commits members and student affiliates to comply
with the standards of the ADEC Code of Ethics. A lack of awareness or a
misunderstanding of an Ethical Standard is not itself a defense to a
charge of unethical conduct.
The Preface and Basic Tenets are explicative and provide aspirational
goals to guide thanatologists toward the highest ideals. Although the
Preface and Basic Tenets are not
themselves enforceable rules they should be considered by thanatologists
in arriving at an ethical course of action. Most of the Ethical
Standards are written broadly, in order to apply to thanatologists in
varied roles, although the application of an Ethical Standard may vary
depending on the context. The Ethical Standards are not exhaustive. The
fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by an Ethical
Standard does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or
unethical. The Ethics Code applies across a variety of contexts, whether
in person or by postal service, telephone, internet, and/or other
electronic transmissions.
In the process of making decisions regarding their professional
behavior, thanatologists must consider this Code of Ethics in addition
to the applicable laws and professional board regulations that they are
subject to. If this Code of Ethics establishes a higher standard of
conduct than is required by law or other codes, thanatologists must meet
the higher ethical standard. If thanatologists' ethical responsibilities
conflict with law, regulations, practice standards, or other governing
legal authority, thanatologists make known their commitment to this Code
of Ethics and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible
manner.
Preface
The Association for Death Education and Counseling (herein referred
to as the Association), founded in 1976, is an international,
professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in death
education, care of the dying, and bereavement counseling and support.
Based on quality research and theory, the Association provides
information, support, and resources to its multicultural,
multidisciplinary membership, and, through it, to the public.
The Association envisions a world in which dying, death, and
bereavement are recognized as fundamental and significant aspects of the
human experience. Therefore, the Association, ever committed to
being on the forefront of thanatology, provides a home for professionals
from diverse backgrounds to advance the body of knowledge and to promote
practical applications of research and theory.
Recognizing the impact that death education and/or grief counseling
can have upon the lives and well-being of people, the following is the
Code of Ethics of the Association for Death Education and Counseling,
adopted by the membership of the Association, and subscribed to by all
who hold membership in the Association.
Basic Tenets
- Death education and grief counseling are based upon a thorough
knowledge of valid death-related data, methodology, and theory rather
than stereotypes or untested hypotheses. Thus, the practice of death
education and/or grief counseling requires knowledge of current
thanatological literature.
- The member strives to understand his or her death-related feelings
and experiences and the ways in which these may impact his or her
thinking and work in the field.
- The member takes care to know the student or client. Good education
and counseling are based upon an understanding of, and a respect for,
the student's or client's cultural background, developmental status,
perceptions, and other individual differences and needs.
- The member neither exploits nor deceives others, but strives to
improve the health and well-being of the individual and society. Fees,
if charged, conform to an available schedule, consistent with comparable
services. Research conforms to standards for human participation (as the
Commission on Rights of Human Subjects has currently established).
- The member serves in an advocacy role to assist the individual or
society to cope with death-related issues. The member intervenes to
prevent exploitation of the student or client and is obligated: (a) to
be available to the student or client; and (b) to educate or counsel
regarding rights, responsibilities and options with their possible
consequences.
- The member strives to present various views of a death-related
question, indicating the member's own values if appropriate, and
respecting the student's or client's choice among alternatives.
- Recognizing that conflicts over the needs of the individual, family,
institution, community, or society might arise, the member includes in
his/her ongoing relationship, when appropriate, discussion of
confidentiality and primary responsibility to the individual, to the
family, to the institution, to the community, or to society.
- The member recognizes his/her own limitations in meeting individual
needs, and has available adequate consultation and referral resources.
The member assesses the efficacy of his/her referral system by obtaining
feedback from the referee, the referral resource, and knowledgeable
consultants.
- The member works to promote greater understanding among lay persons
and professionals of dying and death so that each member of society can
achieve a more satisfying life and personal acceptance of death.
Ethical Standards
I. General Conduct
- The Association is committed to defining and maintaining high
standards of professional service and conduct. Members are responsible
for keeping the Association informed about developments of new knowledge
and improvements in skill development
- Members continually strive to improve themselves, their professions,
and the Association through diligent efforts to improve professional
practices, services, teaching, research, and the preparation of
professionals.
- Ethical behavior among members and their associates, both members
and nonmembers, is expected at all times. When a member becomes aware of
another person's violation of ethical standards, the member attempts to
rectify the situation. If the situation continues without a satisfactory
ethical resolution, the member pursues the issue through appropriate
channels.
- Members provide their professional services to anyone regardless of
race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or
choice of lifestyle. When the member cannot render service, the member
makes an appropriate referral.
- Members do not use their professional relationships to further their
personal, political, religious, or business interests.
- Sexual relationships with clients, students, and/or their
significant others is unethical
- Members refrain from multiple relationships if (1) such
relationships could reasonably be expected to impair the objectivity,
competence, or effectiveness of the member in performing his/her
responsibilities; or if (2) such relationships otherwise risk
exploitation or harm to the person(s) with whom the professional
relationship exists or formerly existed.
- Members avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with professional
discretion and impartial judgment. If a real or potential conflict of
interest arises, members take reasonable steps to resolve the issue in a
manner that reflects the best interests of the person(s) served.
- Members neither offer, seek, nor accept payment of any kind for
referrals.
II. Competence
- Members continually strive to attain higher levels of competence.
Each member is obliged to pursue continuing education and professional
growth in all possible and appropriate ways, including participating in
the affairs and activities of the Association and pursuing learning
activities that lead to professional certification and licensure when
available.
- When called upon to deliver professional services, members accept
only those positions and assignments for which they are professionally
qualified.
- Members are aware of the limits and boundaries of their professional
competence and in no way represent themselves as having qualifications
beyond those which they possess. Each member is responsible for
correcting any misrepresentation other persons may make regarding that
member's professional qualifications.
- Members provide only those services and utilize only those
techniques for which their training and experience qualifies them.
- Members do not engage in professional activities when it is likely
that personal problems or impairment may prevent them from performing
such activities in a competent manner. In such situations, members seek
appropriate professional consultation and assistance toward resolution
of the situation. If the member is unable or unwilling to remedy
personal conditions that may jeopardize the welfare of the member's
clients, it is ethical for another member or other professional person
to intercede and assist the member in taking remedial action.
III. Responsibilities to Those Served
- The primary obligations of members are to respect the integrity of
and to promote the welfare of clients and students.
- When members believe that a client's or student's condition
indicates that there is a foreseeable, serious, and imminent danger to
the client, to the student, or to others, members take immediate,
reasonable, and prudent action and/or inform appropriate authorities in
accordance with applicable legal mandates. Consultation with other
knowledgeable professionals is highly encouraged.
- Members are free to consult with other professionals about clients
and/or students provided that the consultation does not place the
consultant in a position of conflict of interest and providing that all
concerns of privacy, informed consent, and confidentiality are met
appropriately.
- In providing professional services to clients or students, members
neither violate nor diminish their legal and civil rights.
- Members who offer services, products or information via electronic
transmission inform their clients and students of the risks to privacy
and the limits of confidentiality.
- Members take reasonable precautions to protect the confidentiality
of clients/students in the event of the member's termination of
practice, incapacitation or death. (1) Members insure confidentiality of
client/student records; (2) Members either transfer client/student
records to another professional, or assure secure storage of the
records; (3) Clients/students or their legal guardians are informed
about the termination of practice and about the transfer/storage of
records.
IV. Responsibility to Others
- Ethical, respectful and considerate behavior is expected of members
at all times among and between professional associates, whether they are
members or nonmembers.
- Members respect the confidences colleagues share with them during
the course of their professional relationships and transactions unless
confidences transgress legal and ethical mandates to disclose.
- Members who have responsibility for employing and/or evaluating the
performance and achievements of others fulfill those responsibilities in
a timely, fair, considerate, and equitable manner on the basis of
clearly enunciated criteria.Members share their evaluation of a person
with the person evaluated.
- Members maintain familiarity with the network of professional and
self-help systems in the community and assist clients to avail
themselves of those resources as appropriate.
- Members know and take into account the traditions and practices of
other professional groups with whom they work and cooperate fully with
those groups.
V. Responsibility to Employers
- Members clarify and establish interpersonal relations and working
agreements with supervisors and subordinates especially in matters of
professional relationships, confidentiality, distinctions between public
and private material, maintenance and use of recorded information, and
work load accountability.
- Members inform employers of conditions that may limit their
effectiveness.
- Members submit regularly to professional review and evaluation.
- Members accept only those assignments that are within their
competency.
- Members are responsible for on-going continuing education and
development of their expertise and the expertise of their subordinates.
Continuing Education and staff development should address current
knowledge and emerging developments in the field.
- Members work to improve the employer's policies, procedures, and
effectiveness of services.
- Members use employer resources only for purposes for which they were
intended.
- Members neither engage in nor condone illegal or discriminatory
practices.
- When employer demands require members to violate ethical principles,
members clarify the nature of the conflict between the demands and the
principles, inform all parties of members' ethical responsibilities, and
take appropriate action consistent with prevailing ethical
standards.
VII. Responsibility to Society
- Members work to prevent and to eliminate discrimination against any
person or group on the basis of age, color, race, gender, sexual
orientation, lifestyle, religion, national origin, marital status,
political belief, or mental or physical disability.
- Members act to ensure that all persons whom they serve have access
to the resources, services, and opportunities they require.
- Members clarify whether they speak as individuals or as
representatives of an organization.
- Members provide their appropriate professional services in public
emergencies.
- Members interpret and share with the public their professional
expertise regarding issues affecting the welfare of the society.
VIII. Confidentiality and Privacy
- Members regard as confidential all information arising in the course
of the professional relationship. Consideration for the client welfare
is an abiding concern of members.
- Members inform clients about the limits of confidentiality in a
given situation.
- Members obtain informed client consent prior to recording or
allowing third party observation of their activities. Members inform
clients about the purpose of recording/observing, who will have access
to the recording and under what conditions, and the disposition of the
recording. Client consent for one purpose is not valid for another or
different purpose.
- Members shall disclose confidential information when members believe
there is clear and imminent danger to the client or to others, and that
the danger can be alleviated or avoided by disclosing the information.
In such circumstances, members are encouraged to consult with other
knowledgeable professionals.
- When members disclose confidential information without client
consent, they do so only with appropriate others and only for compelling
reasons.
- Members safeguard written and recorded information about clients and
are alert to potential threats to confidentiality in duplications
processes, in use of computer equipment, and in electronic mail and
facsimile transmission.
- In those rare instances when members may disclose information, they
disclose only that which is relevant within the context of the
incident.
- Members adequately disguise clinical and other material they use in
teaching, writing, and public speaking in order to preserve client
anonymity; an alternative is to obtain adequate prior client
consent.
- Members who have professional relationships with minor children
assure them proper confidentiality. Members exercise careful judgment
and respect applicable laws when discussing those children with their
parents or guardians.
- Client information received in confidence by one agent or agency is
not forwarded to another without the client's written consent.
- Members take into account an individual's capacity to give
consent.
Death Educators and Trainers
This section addresses those thanatologists who, on either a
full-time or part-time or an occasional basis, function as a death
educator or provide death education or training in any way to
others.
DE-I. Responsibility to Others
- Members in charge of programs establish learning experiences that
integrate academic study and supervised practice. Such programs develop
student skill, knowledge, and self-understanding.
- Members orient students to program or learning expectations, basic
skills development, and, when appropriate, to employment prospects prior
to admission.
- When a program or learning experience has a focus upon
self-disclosure, self-understanding or growth, members ensure that
potential students are made aware of this fact before they enter the
program or begin the experience.
- Members who employ exercises and simulations which draw upon
participant thoughts, feelings, and memories must ensure that
appropriate professional assistance is available to participants during
and following those learning experiences.
- When a student is expected to disclose relatively intimate or
personal information about themselves as part of their learning
experience, educators and supervisors shall not evaluate the student
based upon such self-disclosure. The degree of self-disclosure
will be respected without coercion or punitive measures.
- When a program or learning experience has a focus upon
self-disclosure, self-understanding or growth, members ensure the
confidentiality and privacy of information shared in this setting.
- Members make students aware of professional ethical responsibilities
and standards.
- When members function as educators, they maintain high standards of
scholarship and objectivity. Members present information fully and
accurately, and they provide appropriate recognition of alternative
viewpoints.
DE-II. Standards of Professional Competence
- Members assuming educative functions do so within their professional
competence.
- Members teach only in areas in which they have received professional
preparation.
- Members engage in continuous study and professional development in
order to insure that they provide instruction based on the most current
information available in the profession.
- Members accurately cite or credit those authors and researchers
whose work the member is presenting.
Grief Counselors/Therapists
This section refers to those thanatologists who, either on a full
time or part-time or an occasional basis, function as grief
counselors/therapists providing thanatology-related clinical services to
others..
GC-I. Responsibility to Those Served
- When members receive a referral, they actively seek all available,
pertinent information from the client, legal guardian, or referral
source, with appropriate written consent.
- When a member is contacted by an individual who is receiving
services from another agency or colleague, the member carefully
considers the client's needs before agreeing to provide services.
Members should (1) discuss with potential clients the nature of the
client's current relationship with the other service provider and the
possible risks and benefits of entering into a new professional
relationship; (2) seek consent for exchange of information when it would
be beneficial to the client. All resources utilized by the client should
be documented appropriately.
- Before members enter into professional relationships with potential
clients, members inform clients/legal guardians about their expertise,
techniques and other practices that may be used and that may affect the
client's well being. Members clarify client/legal guardian goals and the
purpose and expectations of the services they provide.
- Clients/legal guardians are informed verbally and in writing at the
time of thefirst interview about the limits of confidentiality as
stipulated by law, regulation, or organizational process.
- Prior to initiation of services, members notify clients/legal
guardians of all financial responsibilities assumed by client/guardian
or counselor. Fees for services, and any changes, must be identified and
agreed to prior to services rendered. As a portion of their professional
activities, members are encouraged to provide pro-bono or reduced fees
to clients who experience financial constraints/difficulties.
- F. Members make appointments with relatives or collateral of clients
only when clients have given their permission, unless an emergent
situation requires another course of action. In this case, members
consider legal and ethical implications and seek consultation before
proceeding.
- When members agree to provide services to clients at the requests of
third parties, the nature of each of the relationships of the involved
parties is clarified, accepted by all, and documented as such. Any
limitations to confidentiality will be noted as well.
- Members keep records and other information related to clients
confidential for at least the number of years determined by laws in the
member's state, province or country of practice.
- Members should seek professional consultation whenever such
consultation is in the best interests of those served.
- If members determine that they are unable, or no longer capable of
providing a particular service, they carefully prepare the client and
assist in making appropriate arrangements for continuing care when
necessary. The client's well being is of primary concern; therefore,
every attempt is made to ensure that the client does not feel abandoned
and that possible adverse effects are minimized. All efforts to this end
should be documented.
GC-III. Responsibility to Others
- Grief counselors/therapists do not solicit the clients of
others.
- Grief counselors/therapists fully cooperate with professionals who
treat former clients of that provider.
- Grief counselors/therapists are encouraged to offer their expertise
in the geographical community in which they live and to take part in
collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork when working in a hospital
or school environment.
Researchers in Thanatology (2)
This section refers to those thanatologists who, either on a full
time, part-time or an occasional basis, function as researchers in
thanatology-related subject areas.
RT- I. Responsibility to Institutions
- A. When institutional approval is required, members provide accurate
information about their research proposals and obtain approval prior to
conducting the research.
- B. Members conduct research in accordance with approved research
protocol.
RT-II. Responsibility to Research Participants
- When obtaining informed consent, members inform participants about
the purpose of the research, expected duration, and procedures; and
about their right to decline to participate and to withdraw from the
research study without penalty.
- When members conduct research with clients/patients, students, or
subordinates as participants, members take steps to protect the
prospective participants from adverse consequences of declining or
withdrawing from participation.
- When research participation is a course requirement or an
opportunity for extra credit, the prospective participant is given the
choice of equitable alternative activities.
- Members may dispense with informed consent only (1) where research
would not reasonably be assumed to create distress or harm and involves
(a) the study of normal educational practices, curricula, or classroom
management methods conducted in educational settings; (b) the use of
anonymous questionnaires, naturalistic observations, or archival
research for which disclosure of responses would not place participants
at risk of criminal or civil liability or damage their financial
standing, employability, or reputation, and confidentiality is
protected; or (c) the study of factors related to job or organization
effectiveness conducted in organizational settings for which there is no
risk to participants' employability, and confidentiality is protected or
(2) where otherwise permitted by law or federal or institutional
regulations.
- Members provide a prompt opportunity for participants to obtain
appropriate information about the nature, results, and conclusions of
the research, and they take reasonable steps to correct any
misconceptions that participants may have of which the members are
aware. If scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding
this information, members take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of
harm.
- When members become aware that research procedures have harmed a
participant, they take reasonable steps to minimize the harm.
RT-III. Responsibility in Reporting and Publishing Data
- Members do not fabricate data.
- If members discover significant errors in their published data, they
take reasonable steps to correct such errors in a correction,
retraction, erratum, or other appropriate publication means.
- Members do not present portions of another's work or data as their
own, even if the other work or data source is cited occasionally.
- Members take responsibility and credit, including authorship credit,
only for work they have actually performed or to which they have
substantially contributed
(1) Principal authorship and other publication credits accurately
reflect the relative scientific or professional contributions of the
individuals involved, regardless of their relative status. Mere
possession of an institutional position, such as department chair, does
not justify authorship credit. Minor contributions to the research or to
the writing for publications are acknowledged appropriately, such as in
footnotes or in an introductory statement.
(2) Except under exceptional circumstances, a student is listed as
principal author on any multiple-authored article that is substantially
based on the student's research. Faculty advisors
discuss publication credit with students as early as feasible and
throughout the research and publication process as appropriate.
- Members who review material submitted for presentation, publication,
grant, or research proposal review respect the confidentiality of and
the proprietary rights in such information of those who submitted
it.
- Portions of this Code of Ethics are based on the "Ethical Principles
of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" ( American Psychologist, 2002, 57,
1060-1073), which is the copyrighted property of the American
Psychological Association. While the American Psychological Association
has given permission to ADEC to utilize the APA Code of Ethics, APA has
in no way advised, assisted, or encouraged ADEC to utilize the APA Code
of Ethics. APA is in no way responsible for ADEC's decision to utilize
the APA Code of Ethics, or for any actions or other consequences
resulting from such use by ADEC.
- Ibid.
Updated: July 28, 2010