Art. 2   Objectives

The IFP shall endeavour to unite associations, societies and groupings of psychotherapists in order:

2.1  to promote the development of psychotherapy in practice, teaching and research,
2.2  to promote and improve the exchange between cultures, professional societies and psychotherapy schools,
2.3  to encourage and support an appropriate standard in the practice of psychotherapy.

Art. 3   Means

The IFP will pursue these objectives by:

3.1  Promoting the realisation of associations, societies, and federations of psychotherapists in all cultures and countries.
3.2  Promoting relations and co-operation between its member organizations.
3.3  Assisting member organizations in their own activities by providing information and advice.
3.4  Providing co-ordinating activities.
3.5  Promoting regional chapters and supporting their activities.
3.6  Organizing  international congresses and conferences on psychotherapy.
3.7  Co-operating with other international non-governmental organizations (NGO) active in the field of mental health.

Art. 4   Membership

The IFP observes a strictly neutral stand and allows for membership irrespective of religious, ethnic or political criteria.

The following shall be eligible for membership in the IFP:

4.1  (National) associations, societies and groupings of psychotherapists active in the field of mental health. Within these organizations those persons who have a relevant academic training and are qualified as psychotherapists according to their national standards are considered regular members of the IFP.
4.2  The (national) associations, societies and groupings of psychotherapists mentioned above may also include as associate members persons with a non-academic graduate training.
4.3  Similar professional bodies, provided that they include a large number of psychotherapists among their members, and with respect to such members only.
4.4  Individual psychotherapists, who as a rule fulfill the qualifications mentioned above in countries where there are no member societies of the IFP which they could join.
4.5  Hornorary Membership: Persons who have made outstanding contributions to  psychotherapy in the field of mental health.

Art. 5   Application for membership

5.1  Application for membership shall be addressed in writing to the Board, either to the President or to the Secretary General. The Board may grant a preliminary rnembership if the requirements are fulfilled. The Council will later on rule on this application, admission to the IFP requiring a simple majority.
5.2  Applications of individual rnembers are submitted and confirmed in the same way.
5.3  Honorary Membership is proposed by the Board and/or Council and must be approved by the Members' Assembly.

Art. 6   Termination of membership

6.1  A member organization or individual member may withdraw from the IFP by giving advance notice in writing.
6.2  A member organization or individual member acting or having acted contrary to the        interests of the IFP or other member organizations or no longer is meeting the criteria for membership in the IFP may be excluded.

Art. 7   Organs of the Federation

The organs of the Federation are: The Members' Assembly; Chapters; the Council; the Board; auditors; committees.

Art. 7.1   The Members' Assembly

7.1 l  The Members' Assembly represents the highest authority of the IFP. lt is convenes at the time of an  International Congress of Psychotherapy. The Members' Assembly decides by simple majority on major issues such as changes in statutes, elections, exclusions etc. (as specified in the by-laws).
7.1.2  The Members' Assembly comprise all members, whether individual or collective, including the Board and the Council.

Art. 7.2   The Chapters

Chapters are regional groupings of IFP member organizations, representing certain geographical and/or cultural unified areas.

Art. 7.3   The Council

7.3.1  The council is composed of delegates of member organizations representing different regions, cultures, countries and minority-groups.
7.3.2  The Council will discuss and advice the Board in all matters of professional and organizational policy and is responsible for the stategic development of the IFP.
The council also nominates candidates for the Board.

Art. 7.5   The Board

7.5.1  The Board is the executive organ of the IFP and conducts all the affairs of the IFP in accordance with the statutes, the decisions of the Members' Assembly and the advice of the Council. The Board is elected by the members association for a period between each Members' Assembly, usually between the international congresses.
7.5.2  The Board consists of the President, the Past President and the President-elect, the Secretary General and the Treasurer. As a rule the Board meet once a year.
7.5.3  The decisions of the Board normally casting are taken by simple majority. lf voting is equal the President shall have the vote.
7.5.4  The Past President and President-elect assist the President and shall act for him in his absence and/or in the event of any other hindrance.
7.5.5  The Secretary General shall be responsible for the general administration of the IFP-business other than that which is reserved for the President and the Treasurer.

Art. 7.6   Auditors

The Mernbers' Assembly shall appoint two auditors to certify the accounts.  They shall, as a rule, not be citizens of one and same member state.

Art. 7.7   Committees

7.7.1  Standing committees and ad hoc-committees may be established with powers and duties to be defined by the Board.
7.7.2  Standing committees.
The standing committees shall include the Membership Committee, the Finance Committee, the Scientific Programme Committee, the Constitution and By-laws Committee, and additional standing committees as may be specified in By-laws. A standing comrnittee shall have a chairman and at least four members. The names of the standing committees shall reflect the area of their responsibilities. Standing committees shall be appointed by the President who shall give due regard to advice from the Board.

Art. 7.7.3   Ad hoc committees.

Ad hoc committees rnay be appointed at the discretion of the President in consultation with the Board as the need arises in relation to specific topics.

Art. 8   Finances

8.1  The International Federation for Psychotherapy is a non-profit organization.  Officers and committee members will donate their services and will not be personally liable for debts incurred by the Federation.
8.2  All members shall pay an annual fee as determined by the Board, on recommendation of the Treasurer and the Financial Committee. Member organizations shall pay the total amount of the subscriptions due from their individual members.
 

Art. 9   Changing of the Statutes

The statutes can be changed by a two-thirds majority of the Members' Assembly or by a two-thirds majority of votes in a write-in vote.

Changes proposed by the Member Societies or by individual members must be submitted to the board at least 180 days before they are brought to a vote. The Board must make known proposed changes to the member societies and to the individual members at least 90 days before such changes are brought to a vote.

Art. 10   Dissolution of the Federation