Sacramento Valley Chapter - California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (SVC-CAMFT)

Code of Conduct - Policy and Procedure for Implementation

The SVC-CAMFT’s Code of Conduct does not serve as a substitute for, or supplant the authority of, the CAMFT Code of Ethics, or the CAMFT Ethics Committee, as expressed in Part I and Part II of the Code, and in Article VII, Section B.3. of the Bylaws of the Association.

Compliance with the Code of Conduct is overseen by an independent committee appointed by the Executive Committee of SVC-CAMFT. This committee will consist of three members (a minimum of two members must be licensed) without any current disciplinary against their MFT license/registration.

If a SVC-CAMFT member, attendee of an SVC-CAMFT event or sponsored activity, or community member that has interactions with SVC-CAMFT engages in behaviors that violate the Code of Conduct the following will occur:

• An individual is encouraged to initially address concerns in an informal method prior to filing a formal complaint. This could be done by directly addressing any concerns with the individual directly or by seeking guidance from the President of SVC-CAMFT or the Code of Conduct committee member for support moving forward with resolution.

• A formal complaint may be filed against an individual for violations against the Code of Conduct by completing a Code of Conduct complaint form that will be found on the SVC-CAMFT website.

• When a complaint is received by SVC-CAMFT, the independent committee will investigate the complaint and make recommendations to the executive committee to determine what action(s) to take. Examples of recommendations include:

• For minor infractions, a verbal and/or written notice will be sent to the individual reviewing the code and reminding the individual that their behavior is not tolerated. A coaching session to review the Code of Conduct and address corrective course of action may also be provided.  

• For more serious infractions, a meeting and/or formal coaching session will be arranged between two or more of the independent committee members and the individual to discuss the infraction and determine course of action.

• Coaching recommendations will be determined on a case-by-case basis to address the specifics of the infraction.

• If there are multiple infractions against an individual, or if the infraction is of a serious nature, removal from SVC-CAMFT membership, events, and sponsored activities may occur.

• At any point, and at the discretion of the Code of Conduct independent committee, a formal complaint may be referred to or involve the CAMFT Ethics Committee for support and guidance in resolution, or to transfer a formal complaint to the CAMFT Ethics Committee for resolution.  

• Appeals Process: If a Code of Conduct complaint has been filed and the individual disagrees with the independent committee and/or executive board’s findings, the individual has the right to appeal this decision. The individual can appeal the decision by emailing the board president with their request for an appeal. The full SVC-CAMFT Board will review the appeal request at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.  

If a complaint is made against a member of the independent committee, the SVC-CAMFT Executive Committee, or any SVC-CAMFT Board member, that member will recuse themself from the decision making process. The executive committee will appoint an alternative member to fill their position as needed.

Created on: April 12, 2018; revised May 21, 2018; revised June 14, 2018; revised July 27, 2018.