Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy Manchester
Client Testimonials
According to strict ethical guidelines set by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), I cannot include client testimonials in any of my advertising, including my websites.
Why I don’t have client testimonials
A few of the many reasons why testimonials are considered unethical, misleading and unhelpful:
- Testimonials are very difficult to verify, and can easily be altered or faked.
- Testimonials can give an unrealistic view of a therapist’s abilities as they are not necessarily randomly selected. Those testimonials that give a glowing report may be selected for display whilst negative ones are quietly discarded.
- Testimonials may not be requested from every client, but only from those who are likely to give a positive report.
- The client’s best interests should always be the therapist’s focus. The client is not there to enhance the therapist’s credibility or ego.
- Asking clients to write testimonials to enhance a therapist’s credibility could put them in an awkward position. The client may feel pressured to write something positive.
- Confidentiality is crucial for psychotherapy and counselling to be effective. Testimonials may potentially jeopardise that.
Nigel Magowan
Nigel Magowan BSc(Hons) UKCP Reg. MBACP AccMCCP DABCH
UKCP Registered and Accredited Psychotherapist, EMDR therapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Hypno-psychotherapist, Ecotherapist, and Accredited Supervisor
Page Summary: Why I don’t have client testimonials.
