Starting your journey of psychological therapy can be a life-changing experience of healing, personal growth, and better emotional well-being.

It is therefore quite common for those who have benefitted from therapy to encourage others to start, hoping they too will experience positive changes as they have. “What’s the harm? It can only add to your life”, they may say to anyone ambivalent. But is this always true?

Written by Nadine Seif, BSc, Assistant Psychologist, Sloane Court Clinic

Good therapy versus ‘bad’ therapy

Of course, the thought of 'it can only add to your life' is true for “good” therapy which Dr Clare McFie, Counselling Psychologist at SCC, describes as “a collaboration between client and therapist.” Explaining the dynamic further, she explains that “the therapist contributes professional experience and knowledge of psychological approaches, while the client brings their expert knowledge of themselves, their feelings and their life experiences.” This team effort is equally as important as the therapy being well suited to your needs and that it is delivered by a qualified mental health professional regulated by a professional body.

While most clients experience improvement in their symptoms, there are instances where therapy has negatively affected clients. Problems arise when the therapy delivered is not suited to your presenting difficulty or your therapist lacks the necessary training or empathy to effectively treat you. “Always enquire into your therapist’s qualifications and for UK-based therapists, check that they are listed as a ‘practitioner psychologist’ on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register or, if a psychiatrist, are listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) register of specialist doctors”, recommends Dr Veronica Ranieri.

Should you feel your symptoms have worsened whilst in therapy, discuss this with your therapist. This may flag that they are in fact not the right fit or conversely, may strengthen the therapeutic relationship as you work through the difficulties together. This may also help put your mind at ease if a small decline in mood is to be expected at that stage in your treatment as your clinician can explain this in the context of your care plan. As this video explains, an initial, temporary, rise in a client's distress is often evidence of skilful therapy and is not cause for concern.

With an understanding of the risks that ‘bad’ therapy poses, we aim to pair you with the practitioner best suited to your goals and preferences. We take several steps to do this to the best of our ability to engage you in a service that remains safe and effective for you:

• Thorough Assessment: Before starting therapy, most of our patients undergo a comprehensive assessment with one of our psychiatrists or psychologists. This allows us to understand your unique needs, challenges, and goals. This, in turn, helps us to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you and ensures that we address any underlying issues that may affect your progress. Based on this assessment, your clinician can refer you to the psychologists best suited to your specific needs, subject to availability.

• Clinical Communication: Having two clinicians (often a psychiatrist and psychologist) managing your care means that they can work together to ensure you are responding well to your treatment plan and adjust aspects from both sides when needed. While having multiple clinicians is not always necessary, and indeed psychiatrist contact may become less frequent as symptoms improve, it can be a very positive aspect of one’s care.

• Ongoing Monitoring and Feedback: To monitor that your therapy is progressing as intended, clinicians may use client feedback and questionnaires throughout treatment. This helps our therapists adjust the approach if needed and allows for open communication channels between them and their clients.

Patient-Clinician Fit: We understand that embarking on a therapy journey can be a daunting experience, and that trust is essential to the process. That’s why we place great emphasis on matching patients with clinicians, with the aim of promoting a strong therapeutic relationship. If at any point during therapy you feel uncomfortable or unsure about the process, we encourage you to discuss it with your therapist.

Highlighting the value of patients taking an active role in their therapy, Dr Anastasios Argyropoulos, Counselling Psychologist at SCC explains, “Therapy is a relational space I am entering with someone as a trained professional with the aim of being helpful; it is not something that is ‘done’ to you”. Allowing therapy to be a dynamic and collaborative process with open communication is key to ensuring that it is a positive, safe, and productive experience. You can read here about what to do if you do feel your therapist is not the right fit.

Experienced and Qualified Therapists: Our psychologists and psychotherapists are HCPC or GMC-registered with advanced training in a variety of therapeutic modalities. They are all regulated by the relevant professional bodies. They are committed to ongoing professional development to aim to stay up to date with the latest research and best practice in the field. Each of our therapists is trained in multiple therapeutic approaches that have been rigorously tested and shown to have positive effects for a wide range of conditions.

Personalised Treatment: We understand that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Our therapists work with you to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, or anything else we ensure that the therapy you receive is the best fit for your circumstances. We also recognize that no two people are alike, and that is why our approach is flexible and personalized.

Commitment to Ethical Practice: We are committed to ethical, evidence-based practice. Our therapists are well-versed in identifying potentially harmful practices and avoid using any treatments that have been shown to have negative outcomes. As a clinic seek patient feedback actively and monitor issues in our Clinical Governance Committee in order to provide the highest quality of care.

If you're ready to take the next step in your mental health journey or have any concerns about your current treatment, please get in touch.