Therapy is meant to be a place of healing - but what happens when it causes harm instead?

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by therapist, supervisor and trainer Erin Stevens, who specialises in working with people who have experienced harm in previous therapy. Together we explore how harm in therapy can happen - even when we have good intentions - and what we can do as therapists to reduce the risk, respond to rupture, and create safer therapeutic spaces.

We talk about the role of power and boundaries, why cultural misattunement often goes unacknowledged, and how shame can block honest reflection in supervision. Erin also shares their own story of being harmed in therapy and what helped them come back to the profession with compassion and clarity.

Whether you’ve ever worried you might be getting it wrong - or just want to understand this issue more deeply - this conversation is for you.

Takeaways:

• What “harm in therapy” really means - and why it’s so often missed
• How boundary confusion and power imbalances can erode trust
• The emotional labour of marginalised clients
• Why naming harm doesn’t make you a bad therapist
• How to use supervision as a place of growth, not shame
• Practical steps for making your practice safer and more accountable

Erin Stevens (she/they) is a therapist, supervisor, writer and trainer based in West Yorkshire. Erin specialises in working with people who have been harmed in previous therapy and is passionate about raising awareness of the increased risk of harm for clients with marginalised identities. They offer therapy, consultation and training and you can visit their website HERE

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Keywords:

therapy, harm, mental health, boundaries, cultural misattunement, supervision, client experience, therapist experience, power dynamics, prevention

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.