Code of Conduct

Eryn Long’s counselling and psychotherapy practice is guided by professional, ethical and legal standards intended to support safe, respectful and appropriate care.

Professional commitment

Eryn approaches counselling and psychotherapy with a commitment to treating each person with dignity, respect and care. She recognises that entering therapy involves trust and that clients should be able to expect clear professional boundaries, confidentiality, honesty and respect for their autonomy.

Her practice is grounded in working within the limits of her qualifications, training and experience, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and recognising when another form of support or referral may be more appropriate. Ongoing professional development, self-reflection and ethical decision-making are also regarded as important aspects of responsible professional practice.

These commitments sit alongside the professional and ethical standards that apply to her work.

Professional and ethical standards

As a counsellor providing health services in the Australian Capital Territory, Eryn’s practice is subject to the Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers in the ACT. The Code establishes minimum standards of conduct and practice for health care workers who are not registered under the national health practitioner registration scheme. It includes requirements relating to safe and ethical practice, competence and qualifications, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, record keeping, professional boundaries, appropriate referral and the management of risks and concerns.

The full Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers in the ACT is available through the ACT Human Rights Commission.

Eryn’s practice is also informed by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Practice. The Code provides an ethical framework for professional counselling practice and addresses areas including client wellbeing, confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, competence, professional relationships and ethical decision-making.

The ACA Code of Ethics and Practice is available through the Australian Counselling Association.

Client rights

Clients have the right to expect counselling that is provided safely, ethically and within the scope of Eryn’s qualifications, training and experience. Clients are welcome to ask questions about her practice, raise concerns, provide feedback or make a complaint if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service they receive.

Eryn takes professional boundaries, privacy, confidentiality, informed consent and the therapeutic relationship seriously. Where a matter falls outside her scope of practice, or where another form of support would be more appropriate, she may recommend referral to another suitably qualified professional.

Concerns about the conduct or service provided by a health care worker in the ACT can also be raised with the ACT Human Rights Commission Health Services Commissioner, which receives complaints about health care workers and health services in the ACT.