ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR COLLABORATIVE ALTERNATIVES

• All Collaborative Alternatives team members adhere to the Code of Ethics of their respective disciplines.
• No member of the Collaborative Alternatives team will participate in litigation.
• All Collaborative Alternatives team members shall withdraw from the case if either client chooses to litigate the process.
• In that event, team members will assist their clients to make an orderly transfer to appropriate professionals.
• Each discipline practices independently from each other and all fees are set independently.
• No team member shall receive financial remuneration for referring to another team member.
• Disclosure of information follows both legal and ethical guidelines by requiring written consent forms for release of confidential information.
• Team members will use their best judgment when sharing information, sharing only that information that is pertinent to the Collaborative Alternatives process.
• If a team member becomes aware that either party is withholding information necessary to the team process or is purposefully giving fraudulent information, the team member will remind the party of his/her agreement to openly provide all information necessary to the process.
• If the party continues to withhold or give false information, the team member shall withdraw from the process.
• Referrals will be made only to those individuals who are willing to work within the collaborative team model.
• New referrals to consultants outside the collaborative team process shall be made after consulting with the team members.
•   No team member shall give advice or directives outside the area of his or her training or expertise.
• All team members adhere to the concept that the client is the family system.
• Team members will serve only in their stated Collaborative Alternatives roles. For example, Divorce Coaches will not serve as psychotherapists. Should a need for additional help be perceived, team members will refer to other qualified professionals.