Confidentiality of Information Obtained

All information, assessments, visual recordings, or written texts associated with a person and/or an institution are kept confidential by the psychologist.

• The psychologist is required to obtain consent from the individual before recording their voice and/or image.

• The psychologist shares confidential information obtained only for scientific or professional purposes, and only with professionals. The name and details are kept confidential, if necessary. The psychologist does not disclose personal information obtained during the professional relationship with clients to the media and does not allow clients who have received psychotherapy to be exposed in the media. In written and oral reports, during supervision, and in consultations, the psychologist provides only the necessary information relevant to the purpose of communication.

• The psychologist may only share personal information about an individual with the relevant authorities if they have obtained consent from the individual, institution, or legal guardian.

• The principle of confidentiality may be disregarded in the following cases:
  • If the person receiving services has caused or is about to cause harm to themselves, the psychologist, or others.
  • If the person receiving services is under 18 years old, or if they are a minor, elderly person without criminal responsibility, or a person with disabilities.

• The psychologist plans their psychological knowledge and practices in a way that benefits the person or institution being served to the greatest extent and avoids situations that may harm them.

• The psychologist strives to be aware of their role in the professional relationship as well as their own personal needs, attitudes, and values, and does not misuse their power or status to exploit the trust and commitment of the person and/or institution being served.

• The psychologist is aware that closeness and sexuality can directly or indirectly affect the relationship with those being served. In this regard, they avoid developing a personal or sexual relationship with those they serve, as such relationships reduce the necessary professional distance, damage the professional relationship, may lead to conflicts of interest and abuse, and most importantly, may harm the person being served. Therefore, the psychologist refrains from making sexual suggestions, does not harass the persons served, and does not engage in any sexual relationship with them.

• The psychologist does not use their psychological knowledge as a tool for pressure. They avoid actions that could be perceived as threats:
• They do not force individuals to disclose information or make confessions. When conducting research, they explain their purpose in advance and obtain the consent of the individual.
• They do not pressure individuals to reveal, deny, or change their worldview, sexual preferences, political, religious, or moral beliefs.
• The psychologist tries to prevent the use of their psychological knowledge by others if it could be used for the purposes mentioned above and if they are aware of it.