Some therapists respond by saying that the client obviously has issues and that their complaints are a reflection of this.

Our response to that is not suitable for publication on a web site which is accessible to children. 

There is a word that we'd like to bring to the attention of therapists who seem to think that all problems, of whatever kind, in therapy, should be laid firmly at the clients feet - that word is 'denial'. 

Examples of the kinds of things that clients complained about are:

• Bad manners

• Missed appointments (Therapist not showing up)

• Late for appointments

• Radio on in the background

• Answering the phone during a client session

• Client able to hear incoming messages on the answering machine during session

• Being interrupted by family members where practice is at home

• Leaving the room temporarily during a session to (presumably) deal with something else etc.

• Being abrupt on the phone

• Promising to call back and then not doing so

• Not responding to messages

• Insisting on being paid in cash

• Not listening

Inappropriate/inadequate facilities:

This is largely self-explanatory but would include things like the furniture, the room and even the building itself (e.g. no facilities for a companion to wait other than outside in their car - if, indeed, they came in a car. No waiting area or facilities for a client who arrives a little early and they are asked to come back later, or worse can't get an answer to a doorbell until the therapist is finished with an earlier client.

Answering the phone

We have heard of complaints from clients where therapists phones been answered by children.  We have also heard of complaints where friends, parents and spouses have answered the phone in a manner that left much to be desired.

It doesn't build a clients confidence when their first contact with a potential therapist is someone other than the therapist saying they know nothing about the hypnosis stuff and telling them to ring back.