Psychologists facing tighter regulation

Escalating complaints against therapists and psychologists, ranging from sexual impropriety to minor differences of opinion, have been rising at a rate of 30 per cent a year, the British Psychological Society says.

As a result, the BPS yesterday launched a campaign for the statutory regulation of its members and published a draft Bill based on its own rules and code of conduct for its 7,900 chartered psychologists, with the power to deprive guilty psychologists of their livelihood.

However, some complaints brought to the attention of the society do not involve its members at all. "The problem is that anyone can call themselves a psychologist," Graeme Geldart, assistant executive secretary and clerk to the BPS disciplinary board, said. "Members of the public are often surprised to find there is nothing we can do. I have to explain there is no one for them to complain to.

"But if we do expel a member there is nothing to stop that person continuing to practice," he said.

Three recent cases of members being disciplined include complaints lodged by three GPs about a "counselling psychologist" who had made physical examinations of three female clients. He was expelled, but this only meant that he could no longer claim to be a "chartered psychologist".

In another case it was alleged that a chartered psychologist working as a sex therapist had suggested a female client had sex with him as part of her therapy. He resigned his membership the day before his hearing. In a third case a member was convicted on two criminal charges of physical abuse and indecent assault of children in his care at a residential home. He also resigned prior to the hearing.

Mr Geldart said that he received about six complaints a week. In 1993- 94 the BPS investigatory committee was informed of 100 complaints, plus 10 carried over from the previous year. This was a 38.9 per cent increase over 1992-93. Eleven were allegations against non- members; 23 were minor and handled by the clerk; 33 were dismissed. Seven cases went forward to the disciplinary committee. Three members were expelled; two were severely reprimanded; one was reprimanded and one was found not guilty.

A Bill would define in law the use of the title "psychologist". It would follow BPS rules for full membership as a chartered psychologist, which involve a first degree in psychology followed by an accredited course, or several years of supervised work with a recognised trainer, or a combination of the two. All chartered psychologists have completed at least six years of training, Mr Geldart said.

The Bill, which the BPS wants to get sponsored as a Private Member's Bill, provides for a register, sets out qualifications, obligations, sanctions and disciplinary provisions, including striking off, which would make it an offence to continue to practice.

In addition, the society's ethics committee is working out a detailed code of practice to cover "relationships" between members and clients. "Psychologists giving therapy must never have a sexual relationship with a client. It represents a misuse of power in the therapeutic relationship," Mr Geldart said.