The American Academy of Psychotherapists (AAP) is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community that develops the person of the therapist through authentic interpersonal engagement. To that end, and through a shared community responsibility, we are committed to providing a respectful environment for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, socioeconomic status, religious or political affiliation, ability status, age, size or appearance or other personal characteristics.

The American Academy of Psychotherapists, as represented by its Executive Council, has therefore ratified this Professional Environment Policy (PEP) from this date forward. This is considered a living document, subject to AAP community feedback and ongoing development.

Protection of the personal boundaries of others is a shared responsibility upheld through the practice of informed consent. The consent between participants must be clear, current, explicitly stated, sober, uncoerced, and reversible. This policy is intended to protect safety and growth for members and participants alike.

It is vital that all participants in AAP-sponsored events and activities work to uphold an ethos of mutual respect, non-violence, non-discrimination, and anti-racism. Developing understanding and sensitivity to the complexities and blind spots that exist within and between us as we interact is vital to our growth as therapists. Ongoing education and training around diversity issues will take place to bolster the professional development and safety of the community. AAP’s PEP consultant will also work with AAP leadership and committee chairs to support cultural progress.

Because our organization values authentic enlivening process and connection through which individual and interpersonal learning can thrive, ruptures are inevitable. The relational work we do frequently leads to triggering and painful feelings that are part of growth experiences. In an interaction, what is experienced by one person as a misunderstanding may be experienced by the other as traumatic pain. In fact, the individual who feels mistreated in an interaction may, at a later point in time, find themselves accused of wrongful treatment by another individual. This policy is intended to help our community move away from reactivity and toward responsiveness, with a clear remedial process that includes space for all parties to work toward repairing relational ruptures, as well as prevention and corrections of harmful behavior.

The PEP represents AAP’s process to repair, correct, and prevent harmful interactions within AAP. It applies to all AAP participants: AAP members and non-member attendees at AAP functions, presenters, volunteers, AAP central office personnel, contractors, and consultants. The PEP applies across all venues where a meeting is conducted under the aegis of AAP, including but not limited to national meetings, regional meetings, and salons. Dangerous, threatening, or exploitative harmful behavior toward others by an AAP member or participant at an AAP event will not be tolerated and may result in action(s) taken against individuals who engage in this behavior.

Harmful and unprofessional interpersonal behaviors may include but are not limited to:

• Abusive, derogatory, bullying, or demeaning verbal, physical or written communications, carried out in the context of AAP.
• Discriminatory, denigrating, or prejudicial communications related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, religious or political affiliation, ability status, age, size or appearance, or other personal characteristics.
• Intimidation, harassment, or stalking of another, in person or online.
• Photography or recording without explicit permission.
• Heckling or sustained interruption and disruption of a group process.
• Unwelcomed, uninvited touch, groping, physical assault, or sexual assault.
• Real or implied threat of physical harm or threat of financial harm and damage.
• Retaliation for reporting unethical and harmful behavior.
• Accusing a member in public, in person or online, without first making an effort to go through the protocols in this PEP or making an attempt to speak to that person if they feel safe doing so.

RESPONDING TO AND REPORTING HARMFUL BEHAVIOR

Persons who experience harm may consider whether they can communicate directly with the person who said or did something hurtful or get help from colleagues to communicate their experience. They may also choose to

• Access support resources at live AAP meetings to get help feeling safe or to respond
• Engage a more thorough organizational response by submitting a PEP report.

On-site immediate support resources include the event Chairs and two first responder “ombuds” designated by the event Chairs, who will be available onsite at every in-person conference to assist and consult with individuals about taking steps to feel safe for the duration of the event. They are empowered by AAP to take steps including but not limited to:

• Providing a support person to escort or check in with the person during the meeting.
• Finding an accommodation at a different table, workshop, or group for either party.
• Confronting a behavior with the permission of the person who feels aggrieved so that it does not escalate or repeat for the remainder of the meeting.

Ombuds appointments will be made by the event chair(s) and their contact information will be provided to attendees at the start of each AAP sponsored event.

An AAP member who has experienced harmful interpersonal behavior may submit a PEP report. When responding to PEP reports, AAP will prioritize respecting each person’s safety and confidentiality while also protecting the AAP environment. AAP’s Executive Council has contracted with an external PEP Consultant to offer confidential reporting option to AAP participants who feel uncomfortable making an internal report. The reporting party’s identity will be kept confidential if they so wish, until and unless there comes a time that disclosure is needed to address the problem, and they agree to the disclosure of their identity.

Reports of harmful interpersonal behavior may be initiated with the PEP Committee Chair, Ethics Committee Chair or PEP Consultant using various reporting channels as listed below. A report initiated in writing to the external PEP Consultant will be reviewed in a timely manner (60 days). The PEP Consultant will then initiate action as appropriate, such as interviewing the reporting party, the responding party, and any witnesses. At the conclusion of the inquiry, the PEP Consultant will review the process with the Chair of the Ethics Committee with recommendations for further action, including potential official follow-up.

A PEP report may also be initiated in writing and sent to the Chair of the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Chair will determine whether to involve additional individuals, including the PEP Consultant or a designated AAP case manager, a skilled member from within or outside of the Ethics Committee. It is expected that anyone working with the reporting party or the responding party who has a conflict of interest with either party will recuse themselves.

AAP Members involved in a traumatic rupture or impasse who wish to repair the relationship will be offered a mediated interpersonal process with a skilled mediator member to work through the problem. To initiate a mediation, individuals may reach out to the Chair of the Ethics Committee, who will help them identify a skilled member mediator from within or outside of the Ethics Committee whom they both trust to help. The Ethics Committee is focused on offering education, consultation, and repair. If the reporting party has concerns about involving any of these individuals because of pre-existing relationships or perceived conflicts of interest, they may instead initiate a report with the PEP Consultant.

If consultation, education, and repair are the chosen paths forward, the PEP Consultant, Ethics Chair, or another designated individual from the community will work with individual(s) in a deliberate process to work toward the desired resolution, consciousness raising, or education. Those managing the report will review the process with the President if further official actions are needed to prevent future harm.

AAP’s RESPONSIBILITIES

If official actions from AAP are recommended, AAP’s Executive Committee (ExCom), comprised of the President, President-Elect, Past President, Treasurer, and Secretary (minus any ExCom Members with a conflict of interest), will meet to review the process and any recommendations. ExCom will determine immediate or long-term action or corrective steps necessary to prevent future harm and deemed appropriate to maintaining a safe environment. These may include:

• A verbal or written request to cease and desist.
• Removal from a workshop, a meeting, a room, or an event without warning or refund.
• Calling venue security or 911 to provide medical transport, emergency response, or lawful intervention.
• Recommending or requiring remedial supervision, training, or therapy.
• Limiting rights to participate in AAP activities for a specified time, including specified remedial actions.
• Setting conditions or suspending members or non-member attendees from participating in AAP activities for a designated time.

AAP may terminate a member’s membership in cases where professional ethics and/or laws have been grossly violated and will report the member’s conduct to licensing boards or law enforcement in appropriate circumstances. It is always an individual member’s prerogative to seek legal recourse by making an independent complaint to a licensing governing body or a law enforcement agency.

If corrective steps are needed, the President will meet with each party to review the process, the evidence of harmful behavior substantiating the report, and the recommended or required corrective steps for the person who violated the PEP. The final report, including the ExCom’s review, will be completed within a timely manner (90 days) and kept in an Ethics Committee confidential file for a period of 5 years.

AAP members may file a Petition to the conclusions. Members may file a Petition, a concise 250-word objection to the conclusions, to the Executive Committee (ExCom). Petitions will be reviewed and responded to in writing within 30 days of receipt by the ExCom, which will prioritize respecting AAP’s membership and environment. ExCom’s decision concerning the petition will be final.

Contact information for reports to the PEP Chair, Elena Scher:

Phone: 512-745-5927 Email: elenaschertherapist@gmail.com

Reporting Form: www.aapweb.com/report

Contact information for reports to the Ethic Chair, Penelope Norton

Email: penelope.norton@gmail.com

*Elena Scher or Penelope Norton may also refer you to our external PEP Consultant if you would like to have an outside professional consultation regarding your report.