2 ECVET/ECTS / EQF Level 7 / 2nd and 3rd year of study – IP
Module Description:
This module provides a fundamental understanding of ethical principles, professional competencies, and responsibilities in integrative psychotherapy. The focus is on applying ethical standards in client work, reflecting on therapeutic boundaries, and understanding the legal frameworks governing psychotherapeutic practice. Students will develop the ability for ethical decision-making in complex clinical situations and acquire key professional competencies necessary for work in integrative psychotherapy.
Special emphasis is placed on developing the competences of the integrative psychotherapist.1, including:
- Self-reflection and ethical sensitivity – the ability to recognize one’s own values, prejudices, and ethical challenges.
- Critical thinking – making decisions in accordance with ethical codes and professional guidelines.
- Empathetic and professional communication – expressing therapeutic integrity in interaction with clients and colleagues.
- Multidisciplinary collaboration – understanding the ethical aspects of teamwork in different clinical contexts.
- Responsibility for continuous professional development – adopting strategies for lifelong learning and supervisory practice.
The module includes:
- Ethical principles and professional values – Autonomy, confidentiality, beneficence, and non-maleficence in psychotherapeutic work.
- Codes and regulations – Guidelines of the EAP-a2, EAIP3, and national regulatory bodies for psychotherapy practice, SPUuBiH4.
- Boundaries in psychotherapy – Power dynamics, professional distance, and maintaining therapeutic frameworks.
- Ethics in clinical practice – Resolving ethical dilemmas in work with different populations.
- Client rights and legal framework – Legal regulations and the therapist’s responsibility to protect clients.
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity – Understanding and adapting ethical norms when working with diverse client groups.
- Reflection and professional development – Therapist’s self-reflection in the context of ethical challenges and professional responsibility.
Learning Outcomes:
Competencies
Upon completion of this module, students will be qualified to:
a) Apply ethical principles in clinical work and make informed decisions in accordance with professional standards.
b) Recognize and respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas in psychotherapeutic practice.
c) Maintain therapeutic boundaries and protect client rights.
d) Integrate ethical guidelines into professional development and supervisory practice.
e) Develop ethical sensitivity and responsibility when working with clients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Knowledge
Upon completion of this module, students will have acquired:
a) An understanding of fundamental ethical principles and their implications in clinical work.
b) Knowledge of professional codes and legal regulations governing psychotherapeutic practice.
c) Insight into the importance of ethical reflection and continuous professional development.
d) Awareness of the challenges of ethics in working with diverse clients and in multidisciplinary teams.
Skills
Upon completion of this module, students will have developed:
a) The ability to analyze ethical dilemmas through clinical case studies.
b) The skill of professional communication in the context of ethical challenges and conflicts.
c) Practical strategies for resolving ethical situations when working with clients and colleagues.
d) A reflexive approach to ethics through continuous professional development and supervision.
Assessment of Knowledge and Competencies:
– Written assignment – ethical case analysis and proposal of possible solutions
– Group discussion – simulation of ethical dilemmas from practice
– Presentation – critical analysis of codes of ethics in psychotherapy
Total Learning Hours:
| Total learning hours: 60 hours | Independent study: 15 hours |
| Contact hours: 40 hours | Knowledge assessment (exams and presentations): 5 hours |