Unmind Practitioner Pledge: Our Shared Ethical Standards
We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion.
As practitioners partnering with Unmind, we ask you to join us in upholding these principles. Together, we ensure that every client receives care that is culturally sensitive, safe, and deeply respectful of their unique lived experience.
How We Show Up
1. We Lead with Cultural Humility
We recognize that systemic injustice impacts mental health. We approach every individual with respect for their unique identity, recognizing that we must always be learning.
2. We Provide Equitable Care for Everyone
We provide the same high standard of care to every single client. We actively challenge our own biases to ensure we never discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ identity, religion, socioeconomic status, or ability.
3. We Practice Anti-Oppression & Intersectionality
We look at the whole person. We recognize that clients hold multiple, intersecting identities (like race, gender, and sexuality together) and we address those experiences. We maintain a non-judgmental stance toward all relationship structures and family dynamics.
4. We Are Accountable
We use supervision and professional development (CPD) to keep our practice sharp and bias-aware. We encourage you to use supervision to discuss personal reactions or cultural misunderstandings and to seek training where you might have gaps in knowledge.
5. We Empower the Client Our care is client-led. We respect their right to self-determination and empower them to define their own goals.
Our Non-Negotiables
To ensure Unmind is a safe space for all, the following are strict boundaries for our partnership:
- Affirming Care Only: We never engage in any practice that attempts to change or suppress a client’s sexual orientation or gender identity (such as conversion therapy). All care for LGBTQIA+ clients must be identity-affirming.
- Zero Tolerance for Racism: We do not tolerate racism in any form, including microaggressions or minimizing a client's experience of racial trauma.
- Your Beliefs Stay Yours: We never impose our personal moral, religious, or political beliefs on a client, nor do we use sessions to advocate for specific ideologies.
- Compassion Over Criminalization: We treat suicidal ideation and attempts as a mental health crisis requiring support and clinical intervention, never as a criminal or moral failing.
Working Globally & Staying Safe
Because we work across borders, local laws may sometimes conflict with our values and ethics.
Ethical Priority: If local laws conflict with Unmind’s ethical commitments, or the ethical standards of your professional body—particularly those concerning the rights, dignity, or safety of marginalized groups—you are expected to adhere to the ethical standards outlined in this document. This commitment ensures that client safety and well-being remain the primary priority.
Confidentiality & Persecution: We recognize that some clients face risks just for being who they are. We strictly protect confidentiality regarding identity (such as LGBTQIA+ status), especially where disclosing this information could lead to legal persecution. We do not disclose this unless there is an immediate threat to life.
Navigating Criminalization of Suicide: In some regions, attempted suicide is a criminal offense. We recognize that involving local law enforcement in these contexts can lead to further trauma rather than care. In such cases, practitioners should:
- Prioritize clinical risk management and safety planning that minimizes the risk of legal harm to the client.
- Consult with supervision to navigate the "duty of care" while protecting the client from state-sanctioned punishment.
- Maintain a non-punitive, therapeutic environment that encourages open disclosure without the fear of legal repercussions.
Upholding Our Promise
These standards are the foundation of our work. Please note that failure to comply with these principles—particularly regarding discrimination or safety—will result in a formal investigation and, if substantiated, the immediate termination of our agreement.