Disclosure made in therapy is being passed on as a safeguarding risk..

[Idontwantthat]

I'm having counselling and last week I disclosed that there had been S.A when I was young (this was 16 years ago)

During the opening few minutes of my session today my therapist said what we discussed was flagged as a (historical) safeguarding issue and it had to be passed on to social services as he's still out there. She wanted me to give his name and I very reluctantly did as it felt like I didn't have much choice and was under pressure.

I made it clear I don't want to speak to the police and I don't want my name mentioned to anybody and she said she would make a note of that.

I have a bad feeling now. I don't want her to do anything with the information. I know the statistics for prosecuting historical sex crimes and they don't weigh in the victims favour. I don't want to go back there. I mentioned it purely in a therapeutic manner so that I could process it and move on.

I don't think I'm going to feel comfortable disclosing anything else now.

Can somebody tell me if this is procedure or whether it's unacceptable?

Same situation here. I've told the therapist about my trauma (SA on sister, revealed 1 year ago after 35 years) and she said she'd have to report it unless she was satisfied this person wouldn't be a threat to my children. This person is my dad. There's been no conviction, just what my sister said. She's satisfied there's no risk to my children as we live in another country.
I've had a GP threatening me with SS years ago when I had a 4 years old and a newborn, and found the courage to express my fears about hurting my children (I was hurt as a child and I carry lots of anger as a result but would never want to hurt my children). I came out of that room feeling the lowest I had been for years as I felt so misunderstood and let down when I opened up about something incredibly hurtful hoping for help.
That stopped me from having therapy or counselling for years and now I've got to talk about all of this as it's fresh trauma on top of the old one and I can't carry on with all that luggage and not deal with it.
However, I am weary. Am I going to get the help I so badly need to start making sense of all this mess?
I understand that any professional has to report safeguarding issues but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't ask names if those are not disclosed willingly.

does she have a website? She should have her qualifications and professional memberships on there. There’s also the UKCP - another body you can search.

It's not standard procedure unless they believe that there is still a current risk; real or perception.

I have just been through / am still going through this as I disclosed something related to a teacher that in my mind I am not sure is actually abuse. However, my therapist mentioned safeguarding - and quite frankly it's very shit because I now won't be disclosing the rest of it. She hasn't actually reported it as that person is no longer working with children (and this has been verified by several sources).

I've been with this organisation for therapy for 8 years and previously no one has mentioned safeguarding to me when similar things have been raised. I did go through one safeguarding issue but that was due to adult vulnerability from an adult.

I am zero idea how I am going to heal if I cannot talk apart parts of my trauma and feel like she's just taken away my chances of every having my own children by bringing up the safeguarding thing. It's really upset me, but ultimately, nothing has happened apart from I am now too scared to discuss anything in detail with her.

My understanding of this is the therapists only need disclose current criminal behaviour that may threaten the safety of other people or you NOW.

As pointed out by @onelittlefrog

They cannot pursue historical acts of criminality and I'd be reporting your counsellor to the BACP - assuming they are a member and if not, change to one who is.

My heart goes out to those of you who've wound up feeling a similar way after disclosing to a therapist. It's a horrible feeling and you just know, right there and then, that you're never going to fully open up to one again.

I did tell her that as soon as she mentioned safeguarding my blood ran cold and I tensed up. She asked what I was frightened of and I said "Everything. What will happen once the wheels are set in motion. Having to deal with the worry of repercussions if he/they find out I'm speaking out. Everything"

She said he couldn't possibly know its me who said anything as he wouldn't even know my full name, the thing is I'm not hard to find on social media as I have a very distinctive first name.

I've just checked the UKCP register and I can't see her on there either. Is that a red flag?

This is standard procedure.

No, it's not. Not for adults having counselling and discussing historical personal events (an exception might be something like a high profile murder where the information would help trace the suspect.)

Hell no. I’ve told my therapist about multiple men who abused me. In churches. Int he community. He knows his name. But he will not and would not break my confidentially. There are very few reasons they are allowed to. This is not one of them or how would anyone ever trust in therapy?

I've just checked the UKCP register and I can't see her on there either. Is that a red flag?

Yes probably.

The BACP is the register for anyone who is seriously working as a therapist and they work within a strict code of practice. To be on the register they have to 'pass' certain entry requirements, including their qualifications and a number of hours of experience ( a lot- something in the region of 500.)
They also need to access supervision and undergo CPD to maintain their professional status.

If you want to post their listing on a website (omit the name if you want) I'm happy to take a look ( know many counsellors.)

Do you mean the UKCP?

The main regulatory body is the BACP www.bacp.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0aWPyNSb-QIVSIBQBh0RsQ49EAAYASAAEgJKDPD_BwE

There are many other organisations who have members on their sites, but a lot of them are simply advertising websites (where therapists pay for a listing) and don't mean anything in terms of code of practice.

This is not right at all and I’m so sorry it’s happened to you.

As others have said, please do seek another therapist: the right one can be life changing (from experience!)

The terms on which they would have to disclose anything should be set out clearly and discussed with you before you begin any therapy.

It would normally relate to something like you made threats to another person, or yourself. Not historic issues.

I'm a therapist and can reiterate what some PPs have said - this should not be reported. We are ethically bound to disclose anything that we deem might pose a risk of harm to client or others. This is historical abuse and you have not raised any concerns that your abuser is still carrying out abuse. It would be very different if you had said you suspected him of current abuse or if he was working with children etc..
I suspect your therapist is just being over cautious and her supervisor will put her straight and advise her to read up on safeguarding!
People keep mentioning the BACP but a lot of therapists are now moving over to the NCS (National Counselling Society) so it would be worth checking if she's accredited with them.
Please don't let this experience put you off therapy. It supposed to be a safe space where you will be heard and understood and a relationship of trust. It might be worth telling your therapist that this has put you off disclosing anything to her in future and take it from there.
Good luck!

I was in therapy for SA and never had to disclose anything.

I think that’s horrific and it seems there are now more reasons for women NOT to open up and report things.

I also think that sends a message that the onus is on victims to ensure their abuser doesn’t abuse again. This is a very dangerous precedent to set.

Yup x3

It's not standard procedure. But it happens and happened to me.
I too felt pressured into disclosing a name.

They tell you at the beginning that if safeguarding is an issue they have a duty to report.
I was vague with details, years, area etc. But then i was caught on the hop and disclosed a name when she asked. My session instantly changed to 'Now I have this info I have to follow it up...'
My NHS therapist was very young and inexperienced. That was the one and only time I saw her.

I WAS contacted by the police. The letter sat unopened on my table for weeks.
I can honestly say this all added to my trauma and hindered my healing. ;sad]
I'm not sure what can be done to stop the police contacting you if they decide to OP.
When i eventually opened the letter It asked me to call them. Took me another few weeks to do this. I told them then that i didn't want to speak to them at all and hadn't intended a report to be made. If I felt I should/could in the future I would contact them. Never heard from then again.

I complained (with the support of a friend) through Pals and ended up kicking up such a fuss (there had been other duty of care issues) that I skipping a bunch of 'try this first' therapies and and ended up with the areas lead clinical psychologist - seeing me once a week for 12 months for intensive therapy.
The whole experience was hideous, but I ended up with the best care because of it.

Just wanted to share my story OP, hope you get the help you need. Sometimes kicking off is the only way that happen xxx

I've just searched the NCS (National Counselling Society) and that too has no results for her name either.

I felt really lucky to get these 6 sessions of counselling for free through the organisation as I could never afford to pay a therapist privately. Unfortunately there's no realistic prospect of me being able to access another therapist anytime soon.

I had to sign some consent forms in the beginning which went over the safeguarding protocol so I was aware that anything I mentioned with regards to a child being at risk would need to be passed on, nowhere did it say anything about historical abuse though. Its really frustrating and like PP said makes you feel like the onus is on the women to make sure that abusers aren't abusing.

If I thought there was any chance of him being convicted for what he did then I would force myself through the process but it just wouldn't happen. My mental heath would take a nosedive and it would all be for nothing.

Hi my lovely. I sympathise with your fears 100 percent. I was forced into seeing the college guidance councillor after my husband and I had a miscarriage. I stupidly opened my mouth about my attempted rape physical assault and false imprisonment . She went behind my back and took it to the police and I had to give a statement even though I was 11 when it happened and Only disclosed it at 18. I will never speak to anyone ever again. I said I didn’t want anyone to know but privacy means nothing.

That makes me so angry on your behalf, I'm so sorry. It sounds like she was definitely on a mission to get that information and as you said, caught you on the hop. Do you know if she went on to have any further training? She needed it.

I'm really happy that you had a positive outcome though that's so encouraging, I hope it was every bit as helpful as you needed it to be and that you are as healed as possible xx

My fear that therapy would be so busy putting safeguarding first & me last has kept me away from it for years.

My problem is, I was abused by "safeguarders" & in my experience, they band together & attack anyone who is a victim of a so called professional.

How do get over trauma caused by these people?
There seems to be nowhere safe to go.

I'm so sorry 😞

What the fuck is wrong with some of these people that they think it's appropriate nevermind helpful to drag people down a road they clearly don't want to go down. I completely understand how you feel about not wanting to speak to anyone ever again. I've got a DP here and I may well have opened up to him about it a little I definitely won't be doing now. I hope you are OK x

One million percent this!

I don't mind saying this here as I've NC and will NC again but the bulk of the reason for needing this therapy in the first place is because I was failed miserably by social services.

This abuse I disclosed today went on right under their noses whilst I was subject to a child protection plan. They didn't do anything about it. They didn't help me. Now this therapist wants to pass it on back to the same department who failed to protect me the first time. The thought of ever engaging with them again makes me feel as sick as I do thinking about the abuse.

You are absolutely spot on in that they all band together. I'm so sorry you've had trauma at the hands of those supposed to protect you too x

I'd have been angry at this OP. As far as I am concerned the therapist over stepped their boundaries and burdened you with feeling a responsibility which is the last thing that should've been asked of you in therapy which should be a safe space. That's not helpful for you at all.

Whether she was duty bound to disclose really depends on what exactly you said. If there is a risk to others she would have to disclose but it’s not really her job to badger you for a name. Child abusers don’t generally stop voluntarily but obviously there could be reasons why they are unable to access children or unable to abuse etc. I’m not sure it’s a counsellors remit to investigate the crime. It doesn’t sound like she’s build a good rapport with you. Counsellor isn’t a restricted title so there isn’t any minimum training or experience etc. Some are good but some aren’t and don’t really understand confidentiality. I’d suggest you see a psychologist if you’re able the boundaries are clearer and the education up to doctorate level

To be honest, it smells to me like a relatively under experienced therapist panicking at some potential safeguarding information. What is the setting op? I guess certain places may have different procedures, but sadly if you raised a safeguarding concern with SS every time someone disclosed non recent abuse, they would be inundated, unless of course you had concrete information that this person has access to children and even then there is very little the police can do with this info (unless of course YOU wanted to pursue it which sounds like you don't and that is your choice). Regardless of policy or not, it sounds like your therapist went about this in a way which didn't feel collaborative and betrayed your confidence in them anyway. Even when there is a need to pass on safeguarding info, it should always be done with your full knowledge

@Idontwantthat - so sorry, I missed some of your earlier replies. Hopefully the supervisor will intervene and stop any report.

Pals outcome was a whole load of 'lessons learnt' rubbish. I very much hope there was more training. She was defo on a mission. I actually hope she quit or got sacked!

I'm so grateful for the therapy I got, I was in full PTSD crisis and was so desperate. And 10yrs on Im generally doing ok
But by god, I had to go through so much shit to get it. You name it, I tried it.
It shouldn't be so hard, all trauma and abuse victims deserve real care.
I basically refused to see anyone with less that 10yrs experience/quals in trauma informed therapy.

I wouldn't be seeing that therapist/using that org again if I were you OP - scatch it up to experience, and find a better fit.
Good luck x

No not procedure and unless stated in your starting contract actually a breach of your autonomy.
I work privately, with the NHS and numerous other agency's and unless I am working with children my clients are aware and asked permission to break confidentiality ( when there is of ongoing child abuse client will be told not asked for permission but it is always in the therapy space and they are not just left with the information to process themself), they are also assured of ongoing support and their choices are respected.
Was it a trainee OP? If so that is different.