Articles of Association

Scientific Basis

Ethical Fundamentals

Principles of Acting

diary

ViBD e.V. is a politically, philosophically and religiously neutral, independent association of anyone interested in Adlerian Individual Psychology. The association represents the ideational and professional interests of members in their support, practice and spreading of Adlerian Individual Psychology.

The basis for the activities of ViBD e.V. is the Individual Psychology, a depth psychology founded by Alfred Adler. Individual Psychology distinguishes itself by its holistic image of humans seen as self-determined in their social relationships.

Because of this special psychological knowledge people who practice Individual Psychology have a high responsibility towards themselves, their clients and their environment. The ethical principles provide protection for the people working with Individual Psychology and especially for their clients. They are binding and obligatory for all ViBD e.V. members.

The ethical fundament of ViBD e.V. is built by the humanistic idea of men within the Individual Psychology. A person is understood as a self-dependent being, acting on a purpose and inseparably connected to his or her complete environment. Every person is unique and all human beings are equal. With his of her thinking and acting every single person is responsible for the society as a whole.

• ViBD members commit themselves to respect the dignity of others at all times, to treat them equally and to allow them in their individuality.

• This happens in awareness of the responsibility each and everyone has for himself or herself as well as the environment.

• The advancement of society requests an attitude of contribution for society and the willingness to undertake specific social tasks.

• The association’s members act in an encouraging way within their qualified work with the target of bringing forward the independence and the corporate feeling of others.

• Conflicts of any nature will be handled constructively in a sense where a person’s action is separated from the personality

• Member at any time act comprehensible, in a clear and transparent way.

ViBD members align their thinking and acting according to the above mentioned principles. In practice this means:

Self-determination – The course and the centre of counselling are the decision and responsibility of the client. The counsellor or coach provides suggestions and encouragement, and therefore offers help to the client’s development of his or her ability of self-help.

Professional Discretion – Counsellors and coaches are obliged to keep professional discretion towards third parties concerning the contents of any interview.

Commandment of Distance – The counsellor or coach is obliged to design the process of counselling in such a way that impartiality and distance are guaranteed without manipulating the client and without creating dependence on the counsellor or coach. Personal relationships to clients are handled accordingly.

Exemption of Malpractice – The counsellor or coach may not misuse or abuse his or her position and his or her prominence of knowledge. The relationship to clients is to be designed in a way so that a working based relationship within equal persons can be developed. The client’s freedom of decision and autonomy must be respected and protected.

Fair Competition – The interaction of ViBD members with each other as well as with external competitors is characterized by respect and fairness. Unobjective criticism, personal degradation and unfair competition are contradictory to the principles of ViBD e.V. and are to be defaulted. At the same time an open and transparent competition on a basis of Individual Psychological principles has a constructive effect on interaction and will enhance the association’s targets.

Continuous Self-Reflection – A continuous and steady self-reflection for counsellors and coaches is mandatory for the implementation of these ethical principles and principles of acting. This reflection is to be done in associate dialogues, one-on-one coaching, group coaching, supervision or research groups.

Special features for:
Professional coaches, counsellors, supervisors, analyzers and psychotherapists­ are extraordinarily bound to the basic parameters of their profession, i.e. condition of settings, professional discretion, also concerning documentation and supervision etc.

Accredited institutions are reliable to teach professional tools in consideration of the mentioned ethical principles.

Affiliating the suggestion for an assurance of well practiced science of the committee “Selbstkontrolle der Wissenschaft” (= Self-controlled Science) of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) of Januar 1998, the following principles are specified for the assignment of ViBD:

In research with human beings the dignity and protection of personality is mandatory. Participance in trials is exclusively voluntary. Trials with persons who are in a state of dependence with the examiner are inadmissible. Personal data and information of participants are strictly confidential according to data protection.

People working in research in particular bear a responsibility for scientific execution, interpretation of results and circulation of the assignment. The generalities of scientific work are to be considered. Especially external influence is to be restricted. Science is characterized by the willingness to correct errors, to document and release findings and results, even when contrary to existing hypotheses.

When releasing results a distinct presentation is mandatory. Personal perceptions and interpretations are to be featured clearly.  Contributions of others (i.e. colleagues, predecessors) are to be indicated explicitly.

By status teachers and trainers bear a special responsibility towards students. Using own positions for personal advantages is objectionable. Dignity and welfare of students are to be respected; personal information is to be handled confidential.

Psychological counselling and treatment of persons who are in a state of dependence with the counsellor or coach are inadmissible.

Knowledge is never objective but always stamped by personal history and individual experience. Individual enhancement of knowledge is only possible by self-reflection, constructive criticism and openness for dissidents. Conveyance of these principles must be target of the association’s assignment as well as the training work of accredited institutions.

In the case of infringement of members against these principles and guidelines the rules of arbitration according to § 13 Articles of Association is applied.

Autorenteam: Ute Friedrichs; Michael Hoberg; Dennis Mohr; Alexander Schmorl

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