Psychotherapist or Secret Police…Who Do We Really Work For?
Keywords:
Confidentiality, regulation, authenticity, deception, responsibility, conduct While unfairness and injustice will always permeate human experience, those of us who live in societies with established judicial systems can broadly assume that the various legal rights which exist to defend the general population will deliver a measure of security and protection when required to do so. Thus, if somebody is harmed, it is entirely appropriate to expect that the relevant ‘wrong-doer’ will be brought to justice. Of course, while judicial systems readily fall short of their remit and let down those they purport to protect, they nonetheless operate for the purpose of providing a degree of resistance against wrongdoing and law- breaking. However, in the current climate of accountability and responsibility, the business of determining ‘right and wrong’ has propelled matters of health and safety and professional regulation to the top of many organisations’ priority lists. One of the consequences of this is that any enterprise that works directly with people is now plagued by a mass of regulatory duties and bureaucratic burdens, which can range from General Data ProtectionAbstract
This paper discusses the impact of regulation on clinical practice, with specific attention being given to issues of confidentiality and the increasing responsibilities now being imposed upon counsellors and psychotherapists. It argues that practitioners should be wary of placing policies and directives above the privacy of those seeking their help.
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Published
2019-11-01
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Section
Articles
