Ethics and values
IDEA
EVIDENCE BASED APPROACHES
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists treat their patients with scientifically-proven techniques. The treatment protocols dedicated to specific disorders are based on research which shows that there are specific theoretical models and therapeutic treatments particularly beneficial for treating symptoms of a given disorder. Cognitive Behavioural Therapists are familiar with a wide range of techniques and choose them to match the conceptualization of a patient’s problem (i.e. in accordance with the cognitive model of the patient’s problem).
APPROACH
ACCEPTANCE
The relationship between a therapist and a patient is based on the unconditional acceptance of the patient as a person. In the office, the patient will be accepted no matter who they are, what their past is, what choices they make and what difficulties they face. It is quite common that the therapist’s office is the first place where a patient may experience full acceptance as a person.
APPROACH
EMATHY AND MINDFULNESS
Patients must feel understood in order for psychotherapy to be helpful. One of the healing elements in psychotherapy is the therapeutic relationship in which patients can experience understanding and compassion towards their feelings, suffering and decisions. In this way, their emotions can be “validated.” In cognitive behavioural psychotherapy, we strongly support the idea of mindfulness – conscious and non-judgemental being and experiencing of “here and now”. Mindfulness techniques are also used in our therapy sessions.
APPROACH
TRUST
Psychologists and psychotherapists are bound by professional secrecy. This means that any information from therapy sessions and any other communication with the therapist stays between the patient and the therapist. Psychotherapists do not inform anyone that someone attends a therapy.
APPROACH
INDIVIDUAL APPROACH
The therapy treatment is based on a problem conceptualization (cognitive model of the problem) developed together with the patient. Together, we set therapy goals so that patients know exactly what change they are striving for. We also take into account the individual context of a person’s life, their possibilities, needs and values.
APPROACH
PROFESSIONALISM
We work in accordance with the Code of Ethics of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and the Professional and Ethical Code of a Psychologist. We regularly use supervision, i.e. consultations with experienced psychotherapists, to ensure the proper course of the therapy process. We are constantly learning. If we are unable to help with a given problem, we will refer a patient to an appropriate specialist.