What to expect?What is a psychotherapist allowed to do?A psychotherapist must follow certain rules in the practice of his job. These rules are mentioned in the professional code for psychotherapists. The professional code mentions, among others, that a psychotherapist should work carefully, with respect for you as a client. Your psychotherapist is not allowed to force you to anything. If the psychotherapist asks you to do or to say something and you do not want that, you do not need to comply with the demand. Further the professional code also establishes clearly that there can only be a strictly professional contact. It is for instance not allowed to have contact outside the therapy. A friendly, erotic or sexual contact between psychotherapist and client disturbs the treatment. This counts also for other things which fall outside the frame of therapy. For instance, your psychotherapist may not ask you to perform activities for him or her. The other way round, the psychotherapist can expect from you that you treat him or her with respect and that you keep your engagements. A psychotherapist may only stop the therapy against your wish if he or she has important reasons for that. Such reasons can be: someone does not pay, regularly doesn’t meet the appointments, or threatens the psychotherapist. The psychotherapist can also end the treatment if he or she has significant arguments to conclude that the therapy is not beneficial to you. In that case, the psychotherapist cannot turn you into the street, but he or she must help you to find an alternative. Your rights as a clientIf you decide to start a therapy, there is, according to the law, an agreement between you and your psychotherapist. Such an agreement involves rights and obligations. To guarantee a good quality of guidance, the professional association of psychologists has established a professional code* in which the rights and duties of professionals and clients are fixed. If you engage in psychotherapy, it is important to be aware of these things. Important rights are: • you are entitled to information • you are entitled to the confidentiality of your data • you have the right to choose a psychotherapist yourself • you have the right to complain The above text (own translation) has been taken over with the authorization of the Durch Association for psychotherapy (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Psychotherapie (NVP)) http://www.psychotherapie.nl * In Belgium it is the deontological code of the BFP-FBP. Complaints can be addressed to the BFP-office. |