Professional Standards
Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct
Every IVCA registrant commits to a binding standard of ethical practice — protecting clients, upholding the profession, and maintaining public trust in Vital Code.
Why Ethics Matter
Ethics in Vital Code Practice
Vital Code practitioners work with clients at moments of deep personal change. That privileged relationship demands the highest standards of professional conduct.
Clients who engage a Vital Code practitioner place real trust in that person — trust that the practitioner is competent, honest, and working solely in their interest. When that trust is abused, the harm can be profound. IVCA's Code of Ethics makes explicit the obligations that every registered practitioner accepts when they join the register, and provides a structured, fair process when those obligations are not met.
The Code applies to all registrants regardless of tier — Foundation, Practitioner, Master, or Trainer. Obligations increase in scope with seniority, but the core commitment to client welfare and professional integrity is absolute at every level.
This Code Exists to
- Protect clients from harm and exploitation
- Uphold the integrity of the Vital Code profession
- Maintain public trust in IVCA-certified practitioners
- Provide a fair, transparent process when standards are not met
- Ensure practitioners practise within the limits of their competence
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth
Binding Commitments
The Six Core Principles
These are enforceable commitments — not aspirational guidelines — backed by IVCA's complaints and disciplinary process.
1. Client Welfare
The wellbeing of the client is paramount. Practitioners must act in the client's best interest at all times, never exploit the practitioner–client relationship for personal gain, and refer clients to other professionals when the presenting need falls outside the scope of Vital Code practice.
2. Confidentiality
All client information, session content, and personal disclosures must be treated as strictly confidential. Information may only be shared with a client's explicit written consent or where required by law to prevent serious harm.
3. Competence & Boundaries
Practitioners must practise only within the scope of their validated competence and current IVCA certification tier. They must not represent their qualifications, experience, or capabilities in a misleading way to clients or the public.
4. Integrity & Honesty
Practitioners must be truthful in all professional communications — including advertising, credential claims, testimonials, and client interactions. They must not make unsubstantiated claims about outcomes or efficacy.
5. Independence & Impartiality
Practitioners must not allow financial incentives, referral arrangements, or personal relationships to compromise professional judgement. Any conflict of interest must be disclosed promptly, and practitioners must withdraw where independent judgement cannot be maintained.
6. Continuous Development
Maintaining competence is an ongoing professional obligation. All registrants must complete the minimum annual CPD requirements — including the mandatory 8-hour Vital Code annual course — and actively develop their knowledge and reflective practice throughout their career.
Deontological Code
General Principles
2.1 — Respect for the Human Person
The practitioner recognises the dignity, autonomy, and uniqueness of each person. Every session must be conducted in an atmosphere of unconditional respect — free from any judgment based on origin, gender, religion, belief, sexual orientation, or social condition.
2.2 — Non-Maleficence
The practitioner is obliged not to cause harm, whether physical, psychological, emotional, or social. This principle requires the practitioner to refrain from any intervention that could worsen the client's condition, create dependency, or undermine the client's autonomy.
2.3 — Beneficence
All professional action must be oriented towards the wellbeing of the client. The practitioner acts with the sincere intention of promoting healing, growth, and the development of the person's potential.
2.4 — Informed Consent
Before any process begins, the practitioner must provide the client with clear, truthful, and accessible information about the nature of Vital Code, the techniques that will be used, expected objectives, potential risks, and confidentiality conditions. Consent must be free, informed, and may be withdrawn at any time.
2.5 — Professional Confidentiality
All information shared in the context of sessions is strictly confidential. Confidentiality may only be broken in exceptional and legally justified circumstances — specifically, when there is an imminent risk to the life of the client or a third party. In such cases, the practitioner must act with discernment and document the decision.
2.6 — Competence and Scope of Practice
The practitioner must act strictly within the competences conferred by their IVCA certification level. Where the client's needs exceed that scope, the practitioner must refer to other qualified professionals. It is strictly prohibited to present the Vital Code method as a substitute for medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment, except where the practitioner also holds the corresponding regulated professional qualification.
2.7 — Continuous Professional Development
The practitioner commits to ongoing training, supervision, and self-evaluation throughout their professional life. This commitment reflects the understanding that professional excellence is not a destination but an ongoing journey.
Article 3
Professional Responsibility
Six dimensions of responsibility that every IVCA registrant must uphold in their professional practice.
3.1
Relationship with the Client
The practitioner maintains a relationship of trust, respect, and therapeutic boundaries. Any form of emotional, sexual, financial, or social exploitation of the client is strictly prohibited. Dual relationships that may compromise professional objectivity must be avoided or managed with full transparency.
3.2
Transparency and Honesty
The practitioner does not make promises of guaranteed outcomes, absolute cures, or claims that cannot be scientifically or ethically supported. All professional communications — advertising, testimonials, social media, course descriptions — must reflect the actual scope and evidence base of the Vital Code method.
3.3
Referral and Collaboration
When a client presents needs beyond the practitioner's scope of competence — including psychiatric disorders, active addictions, severe trauma, or medical conditions — the practitioner must refer appropriately and, where possible, maintain collaborative contact with other professionals involved in the client's care.
3.4
Documentation and Records
The practitioner maintains appropriate records of sessions, CPD activities, and professional decisions. These records are kept in conditions of security and confidentiality, in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, and for the periods stipulated by IVCA standards.
3.5
Supervision
Regular supervision is not merely a formality — it is a cornerstone of responsible practice. The practitioner engages in supervision to reflect on their practice, identify blind spots, address emotional reactions, and maintain the quality of client care. Supervision is mandatory at the frequencies established for each IVCA certification tier.
3.6
Responsibility to the Profession
The practitioner contributes to the reputation and development of the Vital Code profession. They do not engage in practices that discredit the method, do not misrepresent their certification tier, and do not act in ways that could harm public confidence in IVCA-certified practitioners.
Articles 4, 5 & 6
Conduct in Sessions, Communication & Use of the Method
Article 4 — Conduct During Sessions
Each session must be conducted in a professional, safe, and confidential environment. The practitioner ensures that the physical or virtual space respects the client's privacy and dignity. Techniques are applied with care, adaptability, and sensitivity to the client's emotional state. The practitioner does not impose, rush, or use pressure of any kind. Sessions must be terminated when the practitioner identifies signs of acute crisis requiring immediate clinical intervention.
Article 5 — Communication and Advertising
In all forms of professional communication — whether on websites, social media, print materials, verbal presentations, or email — the practitioner must: present their IVCA certification level accurately; not use titles, designations, or credentials they do not hold; describe the Vital Code method in a way that is truthful and not misleading; refrain from testimonials that promise specific results or imply guaranteed outcomes; and comply with applicable advertising regulations in the jurisdictions where they practise.
Article 6 — Use of the Vital Code Method
The practitioner uses the Vital Code method in accordance with the training received, the certification tier held, and the standards established by IVCA. They do not modify, adapt, or rebrand the core method in ways that misrepresent its nature or origins. Where creative adaptations are made in practice, these must be clearly distinguished from the certified Vital Code protocol and must not compromise the client's safety or the integrity of the method.
By Tier
Practitioner Obligations at a Glance
Core obligations apply to all tiers. Additional obligations apply at higher certification levels.
| Obligation | Foundation | Practitioner & Master | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uphold all six core principles at all times | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complete annual mandatory 8h Vital Code CPD course | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Obtain and maintain informed consent from each client | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engage in regular clinical supervision | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disclose IVCA credential tier accurately in all marketing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooperate fully with any IVCA investigation or complaint process | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Notify IVCA promptly of any criminal conviction or caution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mentor or supervise junior practitioners when requested (where qualified) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adhere to IVCA Authorised Trainer standards and obligations | — | — | ✓ |
Consequences of Breach
Violations and Consequences
Where a breach of the Code is established following investigation, the Ethics Panel may impose one or more of the following sanctions, proportionate to the severity of the breach.
Written Warning
A formal written warning is placed on the practitioner's record. They remain on the register but are subject to enhanced monitoring and may be required to undertake remedial CPD or accept conditions on practice.
Mandatory Supervision & Suspension
Registration is suspended for a specified period — typically three to twelve months — pending completion of mandatory supervision or remedial training. During suspension the registrant may not practise under an IVCA credential, use affiliated titles, or appear in the public directory.
Revocation
In cases of serious or repeated breach, IVCA may permanently revoke certification and remove the registrant from the register. The individual's name and grounds for revocation are published on IVCA's public sanctions register to protect the public.
All sanction decisions may be appealed within 28 days of notification. Appeals are heard by a panel that does not include any member who participated in the original investigation.
Final Commitment
By registering with IVCA and receiving or maintaining an IVCA credential, the practitioner formally commits to this Code of Ethics and to the values it embodies. This commitment is not a formality — it is the foundation of the trust that clients, colleagues, and the public place in every certified Vital Code practitioner.
IVCA holds the registered practitioner to this commitment throughout their professional life and will act swiftly and fairly when any concern is raised. The Code is a living document, reviewed periodically in consultation with the membership, and updated to reflect the evolving standards of the profession.
"To practise Vital Code is to accept a profound responsibility — to the person in front of you, to the profession, and to the wider world."
Upholding Standards Together
Report a Concern or Get in Touch
If you believe a registered practitioner has breached this Code, you can raise a formal complaint. All complaints are treated in strict confidence.