Professional Misconduct
I have been thinking lately on how ethics should be a part of every practitioner’s life. Not simply a list of do’s and don’ts but a living breathing concept that we as practitioners should treat as almost sacred. There are obvious clinical considerations that impact ethics. For example, not sleeping with clients or exploiting them financially are obvious. However, what about claims being made regarding a person’s accreditation.
Lately, I have been shown the marketing of some practitioners making all manner of claims as to who accredits their qualifications and work. I have seen people claim that they are recognised by the National Health Service, when they patently are not. Claiming post graduate qualifications which simply are not. I have even seen people claiming to be recognised by the British Psychological Society, despite having no degree in psychology. Usually, I shrug and get a little irritated by this, however, what I have seen lately is far more disturbing.
I have seen practitioners and trainers claiming to be accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. Now, those who don’t know probably think big deal. But let me say, that UKCP Accreditation of a Psychotherapist is a minimum of 4 years and 1800 hours of masters degree level training. Needless to say those who claim this who have not earned it are disrespecting those who put in the work. As far as trainings are concerned, there is a series of requirements that need to be undertaken including financial due diligence and ensuring the training is at a masters degree level. Any trainer claiming this gold standard who did not go through the necessary procedures is in my opinion guilty of professional misconduct and potential fraud to any student recruited with the promise of this accreditation when it is not available to them.
