The EAGT has produced a Code of Ethics and Professional Practice for all individual and institutional members of the EAGT. The purpose of the Code is to support both therapist and client:
- to define general values and principles and to establish standards of professional conduct for Gestalt Therapists and Gestalt Training Institutes, and,
- to inform and protect members of the public who access therapy.
The general aim of psychotherapy is to promote the wellbeing of individuals, groups and the community at large via the psychotherapeutic relationship. Gestalt Therapy recognises these goals, and in particular the subjective nature of personal wellbeing as grounded in individual phenomenology. Since wellbeing is supported via a dialogical approach that honours individual autonomy and self-regulation, our Code offers a dialogical frame or ‘meeting place’ for the resolution of difficulties between two or more parties. We hope our ethical code will facilitate resolution of difficulties through dialogue and exchange as opposed to a hierarchical system of judgement and consequences.
EAGT is accountable to EAP for upholding the ethical practice of Gestalt Therapists and Gestalt Training Institutes in Europe.
EAGT is responsible for ensuring each country has a Code of Ethics and Complaints Procedure that is compatible with EAGT’s code, allowing for variation due to cultural diversity and field conditions (e.g. legal, political). EAGT will support and encourage national umbrella organisations that do not have a code to establish one. Grievance or complaints against an EAGT member should be held in the country where the member resides initially. EAGT’s code is the final arbiter in cases of appeal. The EAGT Code is also to be followed where there are currently no national organisations with the requisite codes and complaints procedures.
The current code can be amended when it proves inadequate to upholding professional standards and/or to resolving disputes.
The code of ethics is stored with the “Structure and governance documents”
