Are Therapists Helping or Harming Your Mental Health? Insights from Martha Gill

Last week, I came across some unsettling news. General practitioners (GPs) are so overwhelmed with mental health patients that they are directing them to unregulated charities for care. This raises big concerns about the treatment patients might receive. For instance, one case involved an autistic girl with an eating disorder who was advised to seek help from a charity offering "one-to-one support" from someone not properly trained in psychotherapy. Her mother, a former psychiatric nurse, noticed that the treatment could be harmful and stopped the sessions.

The problem is widespread. In Blackpool, a charity estimates that around half of the patients seen each week are referred by the NHS. This points to a much larger issue: the lack of regulation in the therapy industry. Unlike medical doctors who must be registered with the General Medical Council, therapists and counselors can set up practice without any formal training or oversight. Investigations have found a significant rise in subpar online courses that allow anyone to claim they are a therapist.

Awareness of this lack of regulation is shockingly low. Research indicates that only one in ten people understands there are no official checks on therapists. This means that when patients are referred to so-called counselors by their GPs, they might think they’re getting professional support when, in reality, they could be seeing someone unqualified.

The crisis in mental health care is worsening. Right now, about 1.6 million people in the UK are waiting for mental health services—a staggering 30% increase compared to two years ago. With therapy gaining popularity, many individuals are opting for private sessions, which they see as a quicker alternative. Interestingly, the number of students registering with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) to train as therapists has surged by 44% from 2019 to 2023.

While many successful therapy outcomes exist, significant risks lurk within the industry. Reports indicate that nearly one in four therapists who have been expelled from professional organizations between 2005 and 2015 continued to practice. Some even faced severe allegations, such as abusing vulnerable patients or substance abuse during sessions. This brings us to a crucial point: therapy can be both beneficial and damaging, sometimes with lasting negative effects. A survey by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that up to 5% of patients experienced harmful side effects from their therapy.

The relationship between therapist and patient is inherently vulnerable and can sometimes lead to misuse. There’s a history of therapy being used to manipulate individuals, not just in harmful cults but also in controversial practices aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation. The potential for damage doesn’t always stem from malicious intent; poor training or oversight can lead to significant negative outcomes.

Countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland have stricter regulations, requiring years of training before someone can be called a psychotherapist. However, discussions about regulation in the UK have lagged behind, despite the clear need for tighter rules. Experts argue that proper regulation could help protect patients while also making mental health services more efficient, especially considering that mental health issues cost the UK economy an estimated £117.9 billion each year due to lost productivity.

Addressing the ethical concerns and investing more robustly in mental health care is essential. The current state demands solutions that are as thoughtful as they are necessary. Overall, the safety and well-being of patients should remain at the forefront of any changes in the mental health sector.

For more insights on the importance of regulation in therapy, you can read further here.

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