Introducing Counselling: A Practical Guide (Introducing...) by Alistair Ross

Author:Alistair Ross [Ross, Alistair]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: counselling techniques, therapy, counselling, self-help
Publisher: Icon Books Ltd
Published: 2013-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

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Make a list of what you think is unethical behaviour. If you experience any of these as a client the next action is to decide whether you wish to do anything about this. Further suggestions are made in the next section.

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Nobody is perfect, and that includes counsellors and psychotherapists. We know from disciplinary cases in other highly regarded helping professions, such as medicine, that professionals do sometimes exploit their positions of trust and authority at the expense of their patients. If this is the case they are dealt with by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, and people can be asked to retrain under supervision, or in the most severe cases be ‘struck off’ the list of doctors permitted to practise. Research into exploitation by counsellors and psychotherapists suggests that this profession is no better and no worse than other similar professions. Counsellors and psychotherapists are subject to the same list of human failings that hinder our development including greed, lust, addictions, incompetence and poor practice, misuse of power, or simply allowing personal turmoil to overwhelm good practice. This should not depress us, but neither should it be ignored or excused. Mistakes need to be acknowledged and rectified. Misconduct needs proper recognition and sanctions to prevent reoccurrence.

One word of caution. You cannot complain about a counsellor simply because you don’t like them or the counselling has not given what you wanted. At times our expectations can be unrealistic (like the heart patient complaining he didn’t get a new heart mentioned earlier), or it is easier to lay blame at the door of counselling when in fact it lies with other figures in our past or present relationships.

What should you do if you think a counsellor is being unethical?

Tell your counsellor you are unhappy and why, in case it might be a misunderstanding that can be rectified easily.

Speak to someone. If the counsellor belongs to BACP, they have a confidential helpline.

Keep records of dates, comments, remarks or suggestions as well as copies of letters and emails that support your case.

Make a formal complaint. In counselling services there are standard procedures for this. If the counsellor works privately and is a member of a professional body, these should have directions on their websites to show what you can do.

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