Working with clients who are victims of crimes brings up many questions for therapists.
What can or can't we talk about in sessions? What if my therapy notes are requested as evidence? What if I'm contacted by the Police or called to give evidence in court? How do I manage my own responses to the criminal justice process? How do I protect my client's confidentiality?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidelines on 'pre-trial therapy' have a long history of restricting access to therapeutic services, particularly for survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. The result is decades of therapists being unsure of how to support clients who are victims of crimes, perhaps amongst fears of jeopardising the client's process of seeking justice. In this context it is easy to lose our own footing as providers of emotional and psychological support.
The CPS pre-trial therapy guidelines were last updated in 2022, and therapists are ethically required to be aware of any guidance / law related to clients. However, many therapists are still learning how best to confidently apply the guidelines to practice.
Join us to learn how to centre your clients, and therapeutic work, within the context an often-disempowering criminal justice system. We will take care to explore how to minimise intrusions into the confidentiality of the therapeutic space wherever possible.
Please note that the CPS guidelines are only applicable to victims navigating the criminal justice system in England & Wales. The guidelines do not apply to accused / convicted offenders.
Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event
- Up-to-date information what pre-trial therapy is (and isn't).
- Managing contracting, note-taking, and requests / court orders for therapy notes as evidence in criminal proceedings.
- Adhering to GDPR guidance, Information Commissioner's Office guidance, and therapeutic ethical frameworks.
Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?
- Trainee and qualified practitioners who are unsure of how to best apply the guidelines to practice.
How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?
- Adhering to our ethical responsibility to be aware of any legal guidance and procedures that apply to our clients.
- Managing recording and sharing confidential information when used for the administration of justice.
- Supporting therapists to retain power for themselves and clients within an often-disempowering process.
