Hi there,
I just want to put a trigger warning at the top this is a sensitive subject that involves a suicide to warn.
Im just realising just how unregulated the private therapy sector is in the UK. One of the membership bodies in the UK is the BACP, but that's all they are - a membership body. Very hard to get a complaint or suspension through.
Unfortunately, due to a therapist actions one of their clients took their own life. The BACP will not look at the complaint againist the therapist as it's a death and got to go through a Coroner's Inquest but even when it goes through a Coroner's Inquest, a coroner does not have the powers to remove a therapist from the BACP register, only the BACP does. And even then the BACP have said they cant look at it because the person is dead (yes, they took their life due to therapeutic abuse).
We are applying for an immediate (interim) suspension on a therapist as this is our only route now. The BACP said they will look at this if the therapist is deemed a serious threat to the public, or if their continued practice risks undermining public confidence in the profession. Given the therapist pushed and abused someone to the point that they took their own life, I would say it's pretty serious. But speaking to the BACP, the bar is very high, because the person is dead they cannot speak for themselves and in all honesty the BACP didnt appear interested at all. Actually, they were rude and highly uncaring. I don't hold much hope.
Im wondering if anyone has had any experience with them and getting an immediate suspension on a therapist?
Realistically, the therapist can still carry on practising anyway as it's an unregulated title.
There seems to be no justice and private therapist in this country and literally just do what they want.
If anyone has any advice that would be great. Thanks for your help.