Ethics is the foundation of every professional activity related to mental health, human suffering and relationships of trust. At the Institute of Medical Psychology, Psycho-Oncology and Psychosomatics, we hold that professional competence is inseparable from responsibility towards the person, their dignity, rights, autonomy and personal history. Our ethical standards apply across all areas of the Institute's activity – clinical work, psychological assessment, psychotherapy, training, supervision, scientific research, publishing activity and work with partner organisations. Each specialist bears individual professional responsibility for their work and follows the ethical standards of their profession, the applicable legislation and the principles adopted by the Institute.
Respect for human dignity
Every person has the right to be treated with respect regardless of their health condition, age, gender, social status, origin, beliefs, identity or other individual characteristics. We do not permit discrimination, stigmatisation, degrading treatment or exploitation of a person's vulnerability. Particular attention is paid to people who find themselves in a state of heightened psychological, social or medical vulnerability.
Autonomy and informed consent
The person has the right to participate actively in decisions concerning their psychological care. Before beginning an assessment, consultation, psychotherapy or other professional intervention, comprehensible information is provided about its purpose, nature, conditions and possible limitations. Participation in psychological or psychotherapeutic work is voluntary, except in cases explicitly provided for by law. The person has the right to ask questions, to refuse a proposed intervention and to withdraw from participation.
Confidentiality and protection of personal information
Information shared within the professional relationship is treated as confidential. Personal and sensitive data are collected, stored and used only to the extent necessary for the specific professional, scientific or administrative purpose, and in compliance with applicable requirements for the protection of personal data. From the outset of the professional work, the person should also be informed of the limits of confidentiality, including cases in which the law or an immediate risk to life and safety may require the disclosure of certain information. When working within a multidisciplinary medical team, only the information necessary for the quality and safe care of the patient is shared, in compliance with the applicable professional and legal requirements.
Professional competence
Specialists work solely within the limits of their professional training, qualification and competence. No diagnostic, therapeutic or other professional activities are undertaken for which the specialist lacks the necessary training. When a person's needs fall outside the competence of the specific professional, they should be referred to an appropriate specialist or service. Maintaining professional competence requires continuing education, keeping abreast of developments in scientific knowledge, supervision and critical evaluation of one's own practice.
Scientific validity
The Institute's clinical, diagnostic and educational activities are based on current scientific knowledge, established professional standards and critical evaluation of the available evidence. We do not endorse practices that present unproven claims as scientifically established facts, nor methods that may mislead patients or create unrealistic expectations regarding the outcomes of psychological or medical care. Professional integrity requires a clear distinction between scientifically established knowledge, clinical hypothesis and personal professional opinion.
The principle of doing no harm
Every professional intervention must be assessed not only in terms of its potential benefit but also in terms of the possible risks to the person. Specialists are obliged to avoid actions that may cause unnecessary psychological, social or other harm, and to recognise situations in which the continuation of a given intervention is not in the patient's interest.
Professional boundaries
Psychological and psychotherapeutic work creates relationships of trust that presuppose clear professional boundaries. The use of one's professional position for personal, financial, sexual, social or other gain is not permitted. Relationships and situations that may impair professional judgement, create dependency or lead to a conflict between the interests of the specialist and the interests of the person they are working with are avoided.
Conflict of interest
Specialists and members of the Institute's governing bodies should recognise and declare circumstances that may actually or potentially affect their professional or scientific independence. Financial relationships, institutional dependencies, participation in projects and other potential conflicts of interest must be managed transparently.
Ethics of psychological assessment
Psychological instruments are used only when appropriate for the specific purpose and when the specialist possesses the necessary competence for their application and interpretation. Results are not considered in isolation from the clinical and life context and are not used for unjustified labelling or stigmatisation of the person. Psychodiagnostic materials, testing methodologies and their protected content are used and stored in a manner that preserves their professional reliability and the applicable rights over them.
Ethics in scientific research
The Institute's research activity is based on respect for the rights, safety and well-being of participants. Research involving human participants should have a clear scientific rationale, appropriate methodology, an assessment of potential benefits and risks, and the necessary procedures for informed consent and protection of personal information. Particular attention is paid to research involving vulnerable groups and people in a state of dependency or serious illness. Where the nature of the research requires it, the project is subject to prior independent ethical review in accordance with the applicable regulatory and institutional requirements.
Academic integrity
We do not permit plagiarism, fabrication or manipulation of data, improper authorship, concealment of significant conflicts of interest, or other forms of breach of academic integrity. Authorship and contribution to scientific publications, training materials and other academic products must reflect the actual contribution of the specialists involved. Mistakes are part of the scientific process. Concealing them is not. When a significant inaccuracy is identified, the Institute encourages its timely correction and transparency regarding the changes made.
Ethical standards in training and supervision
The Institute's training programmes are conducted under clear criteria for participation, assessment and certification. Relationships between trainers, supervisors and trainees are based on professional respect and clear boundaries. Abuse of academic position, discrimination, humiliation or exploitation of a trainee's dependency is not permitted. When clinical cases are used in training, the information is presented in a manner that protects the identity, dignity and confidentiality of patients.
Working with children and vulnerable people
When working with children, people with limited capacity for independent decision-making, or other vulnerable groups, the person's best interests are paramount. Information is provided in a manner appropriate to the person's age, development and capacity for understanding, while complying with the requirements for consent and the involvement of legal representatives where applicable. Vulnerability must never become grounds for restricting a person's dignity or voice.
Ethical responsibility towards society
Professional responsibility does not end in the consulting room. The Institute encourages public communication about mental health that is based on scientific evidence, respect and responsibility. We do not accept the use of fear, stigmatising language, sensationalism or misleading claims in communicating on topics related to mental health and illness. When our specialists take part in public debate, they should clearly distinguish professional expertise from personal opinion and avoid assigning clinical diagnoses to people who have not been professionally assessed.
Accountability and mechanisms for addressing ethical issues
Ethical standards have meaning only when they can be applied in practice. The Institute encourages the discussion of complex ethical cases, professional consultation and supervision. Where there is suspicion of a breach of professional or ethical standards, there should be a clear, fair and confidential mechanism for reporting and reviewing concerns. Ethical issues are examined without prejudice, with protection of the rights of all parties concerned, and with a clear distinction between professional error, ethical conflict and violation.
Our commitment
For the Institute, ethics is not a formal requirement or a declaration of good intentions. It is part of the quality of professional work. We strive for an environment in which the person can be certain that they will be heard and respected; the specialist – that they work according to clear professional standards; the trainee – that knowledge and assessment are based on academic integrity; and society – that the Institute's positions are independent, responsible and scientifically grounded.
Knowledge gives us the ability to help; ethics determines how we use that ability.