Why don't you have reviews?

As a UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) registered psychotherapist, I follow the ethical standards set out by the UK Council for Psychotherapy.

One question I’m sometimes asked is:

“Why don’t you have reviews or testimonials on your website?”

It’s a fair question — especially in a world where we’re used to checking ratings before choosing almost anything. However, psychotherapy is different from most services, and there are important ethical reasons for this.

1. Protecting Client Confidentiality

Therapy is deeply personal. Even when a testimonial is positive and shared willingly, publishing it can risk a client’s privacy. In smaller communities especially, details can unintentionally identify someone. Protecting confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical practice

2. Avoiding Pressure or Influence

The therapeutic relationship is built on trust and equality. Inviting or publishing testimonials can create subtle pressure — even if unintended. A client might feel obliged to provide positive feedback, particularly at the end of therapy when emotions are complex. Ethical guidance discourages anything that could blur professional boundaries or influence the therapeutic relationship

3. Therapy Is Not a Consumer Product

Unlike many services, therapy isn’t something that can be neatly rated out of five stars. Each person’s process is unique. What feels transformative for one person may feel challenging or uncomfortable for another — and both experiences can be part of meaningful therapeutic work

4. Ethical Marketing Standards

UKCP registrants are expected to market their services responsibly and without exploiting client relationships. Testimonials, endorsements, or “success stories” can unintentionally imply guaranteed outcomes — which would be misleading in psychotherapy, where progress depends on many individual factors.

So How Can You Decide?

Instead of reviews, I encourage you to:

Read about my training and qualifications
Explore my approach and areas of specialism
Arrange an initial consultation to see how it feels to speak together

The relationship between therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy. The most important question is not what someone else experienced — but whether you feel safe, understood, and comfortable working with me.