Event Details:

On Friday 27th June 2014 The Psychologists Protection Society Trust invited Mr Ian Gillman-Smith to speak on the topic “Confidentiality in Therapeutic Practicee”.  The session was part of the Psychologists Protection Society’s 40th Birthday Symposium – “Professional Issues in Therapeutic Practice” held in London, England. 

Session Outline:

Can we guarantee confidentiality and when should confidentiality be broken?  This session will consider the issues faced by therapists in maintaining and respecting the confidential nature of the therapeutic relationship but also the importance of explicit communication as to the limits of confidentiality in order to ensure good and safe practice.

Speaker Information:

Ian has worked in mental health and social care for the last twenty-three years. He has a breadth and depth of experience, both as a highly experienced social work practitioner and psychotherapist. Ian’s first degree is in Psychology and Biology from the University of Keele, graduating in 1989. He subsequently undertook an MSc at the London School of Economics in Social Policy and Social Work Studies leading to a qualification as a Social Work Practitioner. 

He has completed advanced psychotherapy training in Personal Construct Psychology and is the current Chair for the Personal Construct Psychology Association, which is the registered Member Organisation of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. Ian provides private psychotherapy services to adults and couples as well as professional supervision.

Ian teaches in a number of forums with respect to mental health, psychotherapy and counselling provision. He provides regular teaching on the Foundation Training and Advanced Training for the Personal Construct Psychology Association. He provides sessional teaching, on the Doctorate Couse in Clinical Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire as visiting lecturer. Ian is also accredited by the Law Society and the Institute of Legal Executives to deliver continuing professional development training to legal professionals. Such courses specialise in issues relating to mental health, mental capacity and vulnerable adults.

Ian has been the Deputy Manager of a North London Psychological Therapies Services in an NHS Mental Health Trust for ten years, providing psychological services to adults who are considered to have complex and enduring mental health needs. Since 1999 Ian has been practicing as an Independent Social Work Consultant and Expert Witness. He is instructed typically by solicitors who specialise in mental health, mental capacity, negligence and human rights law. He has extensive experience with respect writing reports intended for the court and he frequently attends court as an Expert Witness in order to provide oral evidence, typically under cross-examination.