Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 1996, page 62
9. The subscribing consultant must inform the client of the purposes, goals, rules of
procedure, and limitations that may affect the relationship at or before the time the
consulting relationship is begun.
10. Before an intervention can be initiated, subscribing consultants and client(s) must agree
on the definition of the problem, the goals of the intervention, and the range of possible
consequences.
11. A subscribing consultant must inform the concerned party(ies) that should a client be
prevented from leaving the site of the consultation or physically restrained in any
manner (unless legally sanctioned permission has been obtained), the consultant will
terminate the consultation immediately.
12. After obtaining the client‟s permission (if confidentiality is placed at risk), a subscribing
consultant may choose to consult with any other professionally competent person about
a client or aspects of the situation. If the client refuses to allow consultant to seek
outside consultation when the consultant deems such consultation necessary, the
consultant should consider terminating with that client.
13. When the subscribing consultant is engaged in individual or group consulting (e.g.,
group sessions with persons who have walked away from cultic relationships with
individuals and/or groups), the consultant should be cognizant of mental health
resources available.
14. Ethical behavior among professional associates, including consultants subscribing to
these ethical standards and those not subscribing, must be expected at all times. When
information is possessed that raises doubt as to the ethical behavior of professional
colleagues, whether subscribing consultants or peer consultants, the member should
take action to attempt to rectify such a condition. Such action shall use the procedures
established by these ethical standards.
15. The subscribing consultant must have a high degree of self-awareness of his or her own
values, knowledge, skills, limitations, and needs in entering a helping relationship that
involves decision-making capacity and critical thinking skills, and that the focus of the
relationship should be on the issues to be resolved and not on the person(s) presenting
the problem.
16. Dual relationships with clients that might impair the consultant‟s objectivity and
professional judgment (e.g., with close friends or relatives) should be avoided and/or
the consulting relationship terminated through referral to another competent
professional.
17. Subscribing consultants do not condone or engage in sexual harassment, which is
defined as deliberate or repeated comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual
nature.
18. The subscribing consultant will avoid any type of sexual contact with clients. Sexual
relationships with clients are unethical and are forbidden.
19. When the subscribing consultant concludes that he or she cannot be of professional
assistance to the client, the consultant must terminate the relationship.
20. A subscribing consultant has an obligation to withdraw from a consulting relationship if it
is believed that employment will result in violation of the Ethical Standards.
21. If subscribing consultants encounter situations in which appropriate ethical behavior is
not clear, they should seek advice from knowledgeable persons.

Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 1996, page 63
B. Confidentiality and Records
1. Records of the consulting relationship, including interview notes, family intake
information, correspondence, tape recordings, electronic data storage, and other
documents are to be considered confidential information. Revelation to others of such
material must occur only upon the expressed written consent of the client.
2. Use of data derived from a consulting relationship for purposes of consultant training or
research shall be confined to content that can be disguised to protect the identity of the
subject client unless written permission of the client is obtained.
C. Financial Matters
1. A subscribing consultant recognizes the importance of clear understandings on financial
matters with clients. Arrangements for payments are settled at the beginning of the
consultation relationship. Each consultant will provide a written and dated schedule of
fees to potential clients.
2. In establishing fees for professional services, subscribing consultants must consider the
financial status of clients and family. In the event that the established fee structure is
inappropriate for a client, consultants are encouraged to assist families in finding
appropriate and available services at an acceptable cost.
3. A subscribing consultant will neither offer nor accept payment for referrals, and will
actively seek all significant information from the source of referral (with the permission
of the client).
Section III. Responsibility Toward the Public
A. Educational Programs
1. Products or services provided by the subscribing consultant in interventions, public
lectures, demonstrations, written articles, radio or television programs, or other types of
media must meet the criteria cited in these standards.
2. When subscribing consultants provide information to the public or to subordinates,
peers, or colleagues, they have a responsibility to ensure that case-related information
is sufficiently disguised to protect confidentiality and that other information is as
unbiased and factual as possible.
B. Advertising and Presentation to the Public
1. A subscribing consultant shall not, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of a partner or
associate or any other thought reform consultant subscribing to these ethical standards,
use or participate in the use of any form of paid public advertising of services which:
a. Inappropriately uses statistical data or other information based on past performance
or prediction of future success
b. Contains a testimonial about or endorsement of a thought reform consultant
c. Is intended or is likely to attract clients by use of self-praise
2. The subscribing consultant neither claims nor implies professional qualifications
exceeding those possessed and is responsible for correcting any misrepresentations of
these qualifications by others.
3. Subscribing consultants may not compensate another person for recommending him or
her, or to encourage future recommendations. Advertisements and public
communications, whether in directories, announcement cards, newspapers or on radio to