It really upsets me when I witness the effects of poor therapy on someone. I’ve read referral letters made to the Courts, heard naïve and upsetting stories from clients, observed distressing situations with people I know, while “trust” was given to the wrong person/therapist. As some clients feel that they are part of the problem, it’s difficult to measure the actual numbers of people who have suffered at the hands of a damaging therapist. Some therapists, maybe due to our difficult economy and fearing to lose their clients, sometimes are keeping their clients in distress with the strategy that they will keep coming back.

Guidelines on ethical conduct are printed and are available from various websites, including, of course, the Psychological Society. A problem with these is that they are guidelines (there are not many strict rules chiselled in the rock)* and, as such, variations to the content could be applicable. Similar to the previous blog about experience, it is really up to you, the client, to evaluate the pros and cons on qualifications or accredited therapists. * [Many rules on behaviour and safety are clearly outlined].

There seems to be two measures in processing qualifications and accredited therapists.

What comes to mind are agony aunts like Cathy Cassidy, Mariella Frostrup, (the Observer’s agony aunt, ‘offers words of wisdom’), Claire Rayner (a midwife), Deidre Sanders (The Sun’s long running agony aunt) and many others. For the sake of sensationalism these ladies have been giving advice for decades to singles and couples, with no qualifications. These days we have TV psychologists “celebrities” like Linda Papadopoulos, Emma Kenny, Christine Webber, Jo Hemmings and a few others. As well as television, these psychologists also work with magazines like Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Glamour, Reveal and New!, as well as comments, features and observations for most of the national press, including The Guardian, The Sunday Mirror, The Daily Mail, The Times, The Telegraph and The Daily  Star.

As far as the public or the institutions are concerned these kind of psychologists are the best, ever. In fact one could say that they are qualified and highly experienced practitioners.

Well, from 2010 to-date, 517 qualified and “highly experienced” medical practitioners, also registered with the General Medical Council, have been erased for ‘disciplinary reasons’ [source: General Medical Council 08/07/2016].  Was he or she one of the 517 qualified physicians that was looking after you, your health, your well-being?

Some therapists could also be registered with some of the British Psychological Societies/Institutions. Two small points to remember. A couple of memberships with these institutions can cost around £300 per annum. There are also “Affiliate” memberships that are open to anyone, hence do not confuse “titles” after someone’s name.

The three articles – “Experience”, this one and the following one “How to choose a private therapist”, should allow you to make the best decision about your well-being.