1. The Code enables the society to clarify the nature of the ethicalresponsibilities held in common by its current and future members, and thoseserved by members.

2. The Code helps support the mission of the society.

3. The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members inconstructing a professional course of action that best serves those utilizingSandplay Therapy and best promotes the values of CSST.

4. The Code serves as the basis for adjudication of ethicalcomplaints and inquiries initiated against members of the society.

Application of CSST Code of Ethics

This Code applies to all CSST-certifiedmembers of national societies (legal persons), CSST-certifieddirect members (natural persons), CSST honorary members, and candidates forcertification. These ethical principles are not intended to create any legalliability on the part of the members of CSST.

SECTION A

Professional Responsibilities

A.1. Primary Responsibility. CSSTmembers and candidates should conduct themselves according to the highestethical standards and shall hold the best interests of their clients to beparamount. This responsibility is central to being an CSSTmember or candidate.

A.2. Familiarity with Standards. CSSTmembers and candidates are expected to be familiar with and abide by thesestandards.

A.3. Applicable Laws. In addition to the standards cited in this document, each CSST member and candidate shall comply withapplicable Chinesel and regional laws and professional regulationsgoverning the conduct of his or her licensed and/or certified specialty withinthe country, region, or state in which he or she practices.

A.4. Informed Consent. Before therapy begins, CSSTmembers and candidates shall state clearly the nature of the treatment methodto be used, the length and frequency of sessions, fee arrangements, where andwhen meetings shall take place, and conditions for cancellation of sessions.

A.5. Records. CSSTmembers and candidates maintain records necessary for rendering professionalservices to their clients and as required by local laws, regulations, or agencyor institutional procedures.

SECTION B

Confidentiality

B.1. Confidentiality. CSSTmembers and candidates respect client rights to privacy and do not shareconfidential information without client consent or without sound legal orethical justification.

B.2. Explanation of Confidentiality Limitations.At initiation and throughout the therapeutic process, CSSTmembers and candidates inform clients of the limitations of confidentiality andseek to identify foreseeable situations in which confidentiality must bebreached.

B.3. Professional Use of Client Material.Identity and confidentiality of clients must be protected when client materialis used in professional settings. When material is presented in large venues,such as conferences, public presentations, journal articles, and books, writtenpermission shall be obtained from the client and/or parent(s) or legalguardian.

B.4. Confidentiality of Case Study. With thesubmission of the final case study, a signed statement from the candidate must be includedverifying that the candidate holds written permission from the clientregarding use of case material.

B.5. Confidentiality of Records. CSST members and candidates ensurethat records are kept in a secure location and that only authorized personshave access to records.

B.6. Transmitting Confidential Information. CSSTmembers and candidates takeprecautionsto ensure the confidentiality of information transmitted electronically,including but not limited to electronic mail, voicemail, answering machines,facsimile machines, and websites.

SECTION C

Relationships with Clients

C.1 Dual Relationships. Nonprofessional relationships with clients, their romantic partners, or their family members should beavoided.

C.2 Dual Relationships with Candidates. It isrecognized that in some cases members of CSSTmay assume dual roles in the training of sandplay therapists. Specialconsideration must be undertaken to preserve the boundaries between thepersonal psychotherapeutic process and the supervision and training of acandidate. In the view of CSST, the supervisor(s) should bedifferent from the personal process therapist. Further, the candidate’ssupervisor(s), personal process therapist, and advisor must not serve as aformal evaluator of the final case study.

C.3. Avoiding Harm. CSSTmembers and candidates act to avoid harming their clients and supervisees andto minimize or to remedy unavoidable or unanticipated harm. Sexual or romantictherapist-client interactions or relationships with current clients, theirromantic partners, or their family members are prohibited.

C.4. Abandonment Prohibited. CSSTmembers and candidates do not abandon or neglect clients. Therefore, duringinterruptions, such as vacations and illness, therapists assist in makingappropriate arrangements for continuation of treatment, when necessary.

C.5. Appropriate Termination. CSSTmembers and candidates terminate a therapy relationship when it becomesreasonably apparent that the client no longer needs assistance, is not likelyto benefit from, or is being harmed by continued therapy. Pretermination therapy or closuresessions are provided and other serviceproviders are recommended whennecessary.

SECTION D

Professional Conduct

D.1. Professional Competence. CSSTmembers and candidates practice only withintheboundaries of their competence and use techniques for which they are qualified,based on their education, training, supervised experience, state, regional, andnational professional credentials and appropriate professional experience.

D.2. Misrepresentation. CSSTmembers and candidates may not misrepresent their academic background,professional training, experience, or professional affiliations. They may notadvertise to the public using materials that contain inaccurate or untruthfulclaims about their preparation or the techniques and approaches they use intherapy.

D.3. Continuing Development. CSSTmembers and candidates maintain high standards of competence and continue topursue their personal and professional growth and development.

D.4. Consultation on Ethical Obligations.CSST members and candidates take reasonable steps to consultwith other CSSTmembers, therapists, or related professionals when they have questionsregarding their ethical obligations or professional practice.

D. 5. Impairment. CSSTmembers and candidates refrain from undertaking any activity in which theirpersonal problems or physical or mental impairments are likely to lead toinadequate performance or harm to a client, colleague, or supervisee. Ifengaged in such activity, they must seek competent professional assistance todetermine whether they should suspend, terminate, or limit the scope of theirprofessional activities.

SECTION E

Resolving Ethical Issues

E.1. Knowledge. CSSTmembers and candidates shall understand the CSSTCode of Ethics, other applicable ethics codes from professional organizations,and from certification and licensure bodies of which they are members. Lack ofknowledge or misunderstanding of an ethical responsibility is not a defenseagainst a charge of unethical conduct.

E.2. Conflicts Between Ethics and Laws. Ifethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governinglegal authority, CSST members or candidates take steps to resolve theconflict. If the conflict cannot be resolved, adherence to the requirements oflaw, regulations or other governing legal authority takes precedence.

E.3. Ethical Behavior Expected. CSSTmembers and candidates expect CSST colleagues to adhere to the Code of Ethics. Whenmembers and candidates possess knowledge that raises doubts as to whetheranother CSST colleague is acting in an ethical manner, theytake appropriate action.

E.4. Informal Resolution. When CSSTmembers and candidates have reason to believe that another member or candidateis violating or has violated an ethical standard, they attempt first to resolve the issue informally with theother colleague if feasible, provided such action does not violate any confidentialityrights that may be involved.

E.5. Reporting Ethical Violations. If an apparentviolation has substantially harmed, or is likely to substantially harm, aperson or organization and is not appropriate for informal resolution or is notresolved properly, CSST members and candidates take further actionappropriate to the situation. Such action might include referral to state,regional, or national committees on professional ethics, voluntary nationalcertification bodies, state licensing boards, CSST EthicsCommittee, or to the appropriate institutional authorities.Thisstandard does not apply when an intervention would violate national or regionalconfidentiality regulations.

E.6. Consultation. When uncertain as to whether aparticular situation or course of action may be in violation of the CSST Codeof Ethics, CSST members and candidates consult with others whoare knowledgeable about ethics and the CSST Codeof Ethics, with professional colleagues, or with appropriate authorities.

E.7. Cooperation With Ethics Committees. CSSTmembers and candidates assist in the process of enforcing the CSST Codeof Ethics and cooperate with investigations, proceedings, and requirements ofthe CSST Ethics Committee or ethics committees of otherduly constituted associations or boards having jurisdiction over those chargedwith a violation.

E.8. Unwarranted Complaints. CSSTmembers and candidates do not initiate, participate in, or encourage the filingof ethics complaints that are made with reckless disregard or willful ignoranceof facts that would disprove the allegation.

SECTION F

Grounds for Expulsion from CSST

F1. Possible Grounds. Should an CSSTmember or candidate be expelled from an affiliated or other recognizedprofessional association, be de-licensed in his or her field of practice, or beconvicted of a felony, CSST shall investigate and adjudicate the matter inaccordance with the procedures promulgated by CSST.

F.2. Mentalor Physical Disability. Any physical or mental disability (e.g., senility,substance abuse) that causes an CSST member or candidate to be unable to perform the serviceimplicit in the psychotherapeutic contract or to fulfill his or herresponsibilities as a member in good standing in CSST, and/or the professional communityshall be grounds for CSST to institute its own investigation and adjudication of theconduct of a member or candidate of CSST.

SECTION G

Procedures for Possible Expulsion from CSST

G.1. Wherever possible, complaints will beresolved by the chinese society using their rules and procedures

G.2 The chinesesociety will inform the CSST Boardof the complaint and report developments and outcomes related to the complaint.

G.3 If the complaint cannot be resolved locally,the chinese society may request assistance from the ISSTBoard.

G.4 In the event of a written complaint of analleged breech in the code of ethics by a direct member (natural person) or a failure to resolve a complaint at a local level, the CSST Board will appoint three members to hear andinvestigate the complaint. The three members will not be affiliated with theaccused member.

Download the attachment