IPPE teachers. practitioners. and practitioners under supervision (IPPE Practitioners) acknowledge that pre- and perinatal education can involve activities and contact with clients. including babies, who are working on deep emotional issues, who can enter into states of vulnerability, and who need ethical and empathic presence. Accordingly, IPPE Practitioners accept, and agree to abide by the following standards of ethical behavior and professional conduct. In territory where recognized standards may not yet exist. IPPE Practitioners take whatever precautions arc necessary to protect the welfare of their clients.

IPPE Practitioners accurately represent their competence, education, training, and experience. They undertake careful preparation and readiness so that their practice is of the highest standard and their communication is accurate, current, and relevant. They adequately meet minimum professional standards and recognize the boundaries of their competence and the limitations of their techniques.

IPPE Practitioners acknowledge the existence and efficacy of related and alternative professions and therapies and are open to new procedures and changes in expectations and values over time. They exercise foresight, diligence, and tact in obtaining the complementary or alternative assistance needed. They make relevant use of all the professional, technical, and administrative resources that Serve best interest of consumers. They bear a social responsibility because of their recommendations and professional actions that alter the lives of others.

IPPE Practitioners understand and agree that it is essential to be continually cognizant that their own needs and that their personal problems and conflicts will very likely interfere with professional effectiveness. When they become aware that they may have personal problems they seek competent professional assistance or supervision to determine whether they should suspend or limit the scope of their professional activities. They also work diligently to achieve adequate self-care so that their own personal problems acc diminished and will not affect the quality of their work. All IPPE practitioners are required to be in supervision or in intervision with peers on a regular basis.

Moral and ethical standards of behavior are a personal matter to the same degree as they are for many other citizens, except where these may compromise their responsibility to the well-being of their clients or reduce the public trust in pre and perinatal education. IPPE practitioners are conscious of and careful with issues of power and are aware of their potentially influential position in connection to clients, students, supervisees, trainees, and subordinates. They avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such people. Coercion of people to participate or to remain in receipt of services is unethical. IPPE Practitioners make every effort to avoid dual relationships that could impair their professional judgement or increase the risk of exploitation.

IPPE Practitioners do not condone or engage in abuse, such as sexual, economic, and narcissistic abuse and abuse of services.­­  Sexual abuse is not limited to physical contact of a sexual nature; it can include looks, gestures and comments. Economic abuse includes charging fees that are in excess of the value of the services received, and continuing to provide professional services when they are no longer necessary or not in the best interest of the client. Narcissistic abuse takes place when the therapist builds up his or her self-esteem at the cost of the client, or succumbs to arrogance or grandiosity. IPPE Practitioners are aware of the need for supervision on these issues.

IPPE Practitioners are conscious of and careful with issues of power. They avoid exploiting trust and dependency. They make every effort to avoid dual relationships that could impair their professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation and do not exploit their professional relation- ships with clients, supervisees, students, or employees in any way. IPPE Practitioners terminate a consulting relationship as soon as it is reasonably clear that the client, supervisee, or student is not benefiting from it. IPPE Practitioners are aware of the need for supervision on these issues. 

IPPE Practitioners avoid misrepresentation through sensationalism, exaggeration, or superficiality. They aid the public in developing informed judgments, opinions, and choices. They do not present their affiliation with any organization in a manner that falsely implies sponsorship or certification by that organization. They do not make statements that are likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results. They do not make statements intended or likely to appeal to a client’s fears, anxieties, or emotions concerning the possible consequences of failure to obtain the offered services.