Safety and Standards in Counselling
Client safety is an important part of the counselling experience. Mental health professionals work hard to ensure that the the counselling environment feels comfortable and somewhere you can open up and talk about what’s troubling you.
Within the industry there are also standards responsible counsellors agree to uphold to support client safety and wellbeing.
Hold on, what do I mean by “responsible counsellors”?
Well the word “counsellor” is not yet a protected title, so at present anyone could refer to themselves as a counsellor. Yes, really. When we’re seeking to work with someone on our mental health it’s important to work with a counsellor who is registered and ideally accredited with a professional body, who ensure that the counsellor works to an accepted professional standard. Three main ones come to mind as I write this BACP, BABCP and COSCA.
There’s what you might expect when it comes like following GDPR and data security, but there’s also a requirement to demonstrate that we can actually do the job effectively, ethically and safely.
My own professional body, BACP, requires a professional practice submission and at least 450 client hours with monthly professional supervision with a very experienced senior counsellor who provides support and advice with any issues or challenges. They’re also there to provide another level of safety and assurance for the client.
Much like you would take your car to a garage rather than a neighbour with some tools, working with a professional gives you added assurance that the work you’re paying for is going to get the job done.
If you’ve read my previous blogs on the subject, you might imagine what’s coming next.
Yes, AI. It keeps coming up. I’ve heard a few times now from people, not from clients at least, that they asked ChatGTP for advice with a mental health issue. Perhaps it’s advice to help them challenge an intrusive thought, or manage anxiety.
AI is not a substitute to working with a human counsellor who walks the earth every day, has friends and loved ones and feels emotions just like you do. Quite apart from the lack of human connection, when using it there are serious safety concerns.
AI tells us what we want to hear. It’s prone to hallucinations. There is no fact checking. There’s no working alongside a more experienced counsellor and benefiting from their experience too. AI also encourages a kind of laziness. There was a recent story about students who use AI vs students who don’t and the worrying impact AI has on our ability to reason for ourselves. This has the same potential for negative outcomes when it comes to asking it for advice on our mental health. We’re not working on an issue ourselves; we’re outsourcing the work to a computer.
Finally, what we say to AI like ChatGTP is not private. Not safe. Anyone working behind the scenes can see exactly what you’ve disclosed in every detail.
When it comes to your mental health, working with a (real human!) counsellor who is a member of a professional body gives you the best possible chance of positive lasting outcomes without compromising your safety or your privacy. Why risk the alternative?
If you’d like to work with me on your mental health, you can get in touch with me via the website or directly at mckellar.scott@gmail.com
