Ethics and standards
The Ethical Framework, good practice resources and training standards

The Ethical Framework is designed to help counselling professionals provide clients with a secure base for their work together. It creates a shared structure within which practitioners, coaches, trainees, trainers and organisations can all work, but with the flexibility to respond to the needs of different contexts and client groups.

Good Practice in Action resources provide supplementary information to help you engage with the Ethical Framework. They are based on current research and evidence and reviewed by member-led focus groups and experts in the field.

Need help with an ethical dilemma? Our ethics hub is where you can find information and support or book a consultation with one of our ethics officers.

Our training standards are based on the latest research evidence into effective practice. They can be used by practitioners, trainers, supervisors and services to ensure therapists have the skills and knowledge needed to work in particular settings or with particular clients.

Guidance and support for members and clients based on recent complaints. A series of resources looking at the types of complaints received around different topics and their implications for practice.

This glossary explains the meaning of the terms used within the context of the Ethical Framework. If you have specific concerns, you can use the glossary as an index to help you find different topics within the Framework.

These open access good practice resources are developed in partnership with other professionals to help those working across the counselling professions.