How to get the Best from your Counselling
My Professional Body is the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and I work within their Ethical Framework for Good Practice (which can be found on the BACP.co.uk website).
Good therapy should feel like a safe space to talk. Please let me know if you have any concerns about this. Building trust and feeling safe are crucial to the development of a good therapeutic relationship.
We will regularly review work to make sure we are on track and to give you the opportunity to give feedback during sessions about what aspects of the therapy have been helpful and which, if any, have not. This can help issues to be dealt with as and when they arise.
Connecting with a therapist is very individual and personal. Personalities sometimes clash and the “fit” may not feel right. You always have the right to look for another therapist, to trust your gut feelings and listen to your first impressions. I would rather you get the right support than struggle to make something work that if it doesn’t feel we “click”.
If you are dissatisfied with counselling - please raise any concerns with me if possible, in the first instance. Please let me know your thoughts and how you are feeling – there is every chance we can repair or make right if I’m aware of the impact on you. I will make every effort to understand. Ask yourself what you want. It may be that you want an apology, an acknowledgement of what happened and an undertaking that it won't happen again. You may simply want an explanation about why something happened.
Should you have a serious concern – please put your concern in writing, explaining the outcome that you would like, and allow me time to respond. You will receive an explanation or apology, either of which may satisfy you and may help repair the rupture and enable therapy to continue. I can provide details of my clinical supervisor in the event of a serious complaint. If you are not satisfied by the response, you can contact the Professional Conduct Department of BACP which deals with complaints against its members.
Clients who have been on the receiving end of malpractice or misconduct by therapists, or conduct that brings the profession into disrepute, are encouraged to use the Professional Conduct Procedure which can be accessed by the BACP website
