Raising concerns

Counsellors who are Members or Provisional Members of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors are required to abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics.

You may have a concern about how a counsellor has behaved in terms of that Code. This might arise because you are:

1. The client of the counsellor

2. The person with legal responsibility for the client of the counsellor eg., parent/guardian/ person with enduring power of attorney

3. In a support role or professional role with the client of the counsellor. (In this case you would need the permission of the client to act).

4. A professional colleague, supervisor or manager of the counsellor. (In this case you are encouraged to consult your supervisor or fellow professional before acting.)

5. A supervisee of the counsellor (In this case you are encouraged to consult an experienced counsellor before acting.)

6. Affected by the actions of the counsellor in some other role you play.

The Association encourages you to express your concern directly to the counsellor, providing the matter is not of a very serious nature. This is often the most effective and timely way to clear misunderstanding or to remedy a problem. Furthermore, NZAC counsellors are themselves expected to encourage open expression of any difficulties that may arise in the course of their work.

You may choose to approach the counsellor with your own supporter/s. If you would like help or guidance in making an approach you may write to the Ethics Secretary, Ethics Office, PO Box 25287, Wellington, 6140 or ethicssecretary@nzac.org.nz.

If a direct approach does not resolve the issue for you, or if the behaviour of the counsellor is very serious, you may wish the Association to address it. This might involve either assistance in resolving the issue, or investigating the matter in a formal way, depending on the severity of the alleged behaviour. You are invited to communicate with us by writing to the Ethics Secretary.

The Association’s Criteria for receiving complaints:

The Ethics Committee will receive written concerns or complaints from any person about a named member or members relating to:

• Behaviour potentially prejudicial to the interests of the Association

• Professional misconduct

• Behaviour which is unbecoming a member