How to Complain About a Therapist in the UK

If you believe your therapist has acted unprofessionally, each professional body has established complaints procedures to investigate misconduct and protect the public.

When to Make a Complaint

Consider making a formal complaint if your therapist has:

• Breached confidentiality inappropriately
• Acted in a sexually inappropriate manner
• Failed to maintain professional boundaries
• Provided care below acceptable standards
• Misrepresented their qualifications

Complaints to the HCPC

For practitioner psychologists and arts therapists (raise a concern with the HCPC):

• Submit complaint online or by post
• Include as much evidence as you can
• The HCPC investigates with statutory powers
• Possible outcomes: no action, caution, instigating conditions of practice that the registrant must work under, suspension, removal

Complaints to the BACP

For BACP-registered counsellors and psychotherapists (BACP professional conduct):

• You can use their counselling concerns service to talk about making a complaint before submitting one formally
• Use the Professional Conduct Procedure for complaints about the therapeutic relationship
• Use Article 12.6 for more serious complaints
• Possible outcomes range from advice to removal from register

Complaints to the BABCP

For CBT therapists (BABCP complaints):

• Formal complaints procedure via telephone, email or online form
• Complaints are handled independently
• Investigation by a three-person panel
• Possible outcomes: no action, letter of guidance, suspension, removal

Complaints to the UKCP

For psychotherapists (how to make a complaint to UKCP):

• Complaints and Conduct Process
• Anonymous complaints considered if independently verifiable
• Can be referred to an Adjudication Panel if the complaint meets the 'realistic prospect' test
• Possible outcomes include: no action, Conditions of Practice Order (CPO), Suspension Order (SO), termination

What to Expect

Most complaints processes involve:

• Initial assessment of complaint validity
• Notification to the practitioner
• Investigation period (can take several months)
• Hearing or panel review
• Decision and potential sanctions

Important: It is recommended that you try to resolve your concerns by speaking with your therapist first and seeing if they can put things right. If this isn't possible or you do not feel comfortable speaking with your therapist you may choose one of the above complaints procedures. If so, make complaints promptly and keep detailed records. Most bodies have time limits on when complaints can be made.