CODE OF ETHICS FOR MEMBERS OF
NACS WORKING AS SEXOLOGISTS

The purpose of these ethical rules is to
define the general principles and to
establish standards for professionals
working with sex therapy, sex counselling,
sex education and sex research and to
inform and protect members of the public
who seek their services. It does not
supplant codes of ethics of other
organizations to which the sexologist may
belong, but is intended to be supplemental.
ETHICAL PRINCIPALS
a) The sexologist is responsible for
maintaining high professional and human
standards of care at all times and in
interaction with all clients
 b) The sexologist must be aware of the
clients dependency and his/her own power
in the therapeutic relationship and never
exploit this situation for his/her own
purposes in any ways.


c) The sexologist must always respect the
dignity, the autonomy and the ultimate
right to self-determination of the client.
RULES OF ETHICS COMPETENCE

1) It is the responsibility of the sexologist to
maintain professional competence by
current education inclusive adequate
supervision, keeping himself/herself
acquainted with actual standards and new
developments of the profession. The
sexologist must recognize his/her own
limitations and be ready in due case to refer
the client to another therapist.
THE SEXOLOGIST-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

2) All clients should be treated with the
same professional solcitude, without any
discrimination with regard to origin, status,
race, gender, age, beliefs, sexual orientation
and disability.

3) Sexologist must not abuse the clientsexologist relationship financially, sexually,
emotionally or in any other way. It is not
acceptable for a sexologist to have sexual
relationship with any client. This principel
is also applicable to former clients.
PHYSICAL CONTACT

4) Examination and therapeutic procedures
involving physical contact must only be
performed by someone specifically trained
for such procedures and the purpose and
nature should beforehand be clarified with
the client.
CONFIDENTIALITY

5) The very existence of a sexologist-client
relationship and all information exchanged
between sexologist and client is
confidential unless anything else is
stipulated between the sexologist and the
client.

6) If the sexologist has any personal, legal,
or practical limits of confidentiality, these
limits must be discussed with the client
before the examination/therapy or as soon
as possible. In rare cases of possible
imminent danger to the life or safety of an
individual it may be permissible for the
sexologist to make disclosures to other
persons or public authorities without the
consent of the client.

7) Apart from this special situation all
information from the sexologist to private
or professional persons or public
authorities about identified client
presupposes the consent of the client and
the client’s right to be acquainted with the
report. When only one pert partner of a
client couple consents
GUIDING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES WAS
Autonomy
 Benefience
 Non-Malfeasance
 Justice

PRINCIPLE 1:

Sexologists shall have appropriate professional
preparation and maintain an ongoing
commitment to continuing education.
PRINCIPLE 2:

Sexologists must operate only within their area
of professional expertise and competecy
PRINCIPLE 3:

Sexologists should inform clients, patients and
research participants of their professional
qualifications and affiliations.
PRINCIPLE 4:

Sexologists should uphold and enhance the
integrity of the profession.
PRINCIPLE 5:

When available, Sexologists should engage in
science-based practice.
PRINCIPLE 6:

Sexologists have a responsibility to maintain and
enhance the knowledge, health and welfare of
their communities
PRINCIPLE 7:

Sexologists should exercise respect for colleagues.
PRINCIPLE 8:

Sexologists shall not breach the professional
relationship
PRINCIPLE 9:

The sexologist shall respect and uphold the
autonomy and dignity of those receiving their
professional services.
PRINCIPLE 10:

The sexologist shall maintain professional
confidentiality.
PRINCIPLE 11:

Where appropriate, the Sexologist should obtain
informed consent
PRINCIPLE 12:

Sexologists will maintain appropriate records.
PRINCIPLE 13:

Sexologists will provide information on their fee
schedule to potential clients.
PRINCIPLE 14:

Sexologists shall employ recognized research
protocols.
PRINCIPLE 15:

Sexologists shall employ recognized protocols in
the use of human research subjects.
PRINCIPLE 16:

Sexologists shall employ recognized protocols in
the use of animal research subjects.
PRINCIPLE 17:

Sexologists shall utilize peer review to evaluate
their work.
PRINCIPLE 18:

Sexologists have an obligation to provide support
for, or to conduct research and to disseminate
findings.