Suzie Jamieson, a seasoned therapist, tells Josephine Hughes about her experience following a professional complaint that shook her confidence and career. On March 25, 2021, she received an email from the BACP informing her of a complaint, thrusting her into a world of fear and shame. Despite having a flourishing practice, the complaint triggered a profound personal crisis leading to a two-year ordeal filled with emotional turmoil. Susie candidly discusses the psychological impact of the experience, detailing how the stress of the complaint permeated her life, affecting her mental health and financial stability. She discusses the vulnerability therapists face in their practices and the stigma surrounding complaints. Susie emphasises the necessity for support systems for therapists who encounter such challenges, highlighting her commitment to fostering a safe space for fellow practitioners to navigate their own crises. Her resilience shines through as she illustrates her journey toward recovery, ultimately transforming her experience into a source of empowerment and advocacy for others in the field.

Takeaways:

• Susie Jamieson's journey reveals the profound emotional impact of receiving a client complaint.
• The lengthy complaints process can leave therapists feeling isolated and questioning their professional worth.
• Creating a supportive environment for therapists who have faced complaints is crucial for healing.
• The importance of maintaining thorough documentation cannot be overstated when faced with complaints.
• Susie's experiences highlighted the need for systemic changes within professional membership bodies

therapist support, complaints process for therapists, handling client complaints, therapist burnout, therapist self-care, ethical complaints in counselling

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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.