Having a difficult or harmful experience with a therapist can feel particularly disorienting. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust, and when something goes wrong within it, it's natural to feel unsure about what happened or who to turn to. This article explains what steps you can take and how we can support you.
What to do if you have a complaint
Address it with your practitioner directly
In some situations – particularly where the concern involves a misunderstanding or a rupture in the therapeutic relationship – raising it directly with your practitioner can be a meaningful first step. Many practitioners welcome the opportunity to address concerns openly, and doing so can sometimes be a productive part of the therapeutic process itself.
That said, we recognise this isn't always appropriate. If your concern involves serious misconduct or boundary violations, or if you simply do not feel comfortable approaching your practitioner directly, move to the next step.
Contact the practitioner's professional accredited body
This is the most important step if your concern is serious. Professional accredited bodies exist to handle complaints about their registered members. They have dedicated processes, trained staff, and the authority to investigate and act.
You have the right to ask your practitioner for their accreditation details at any time, and these may also be listed on their profile.
In Germany, for example, you can contact the Psychotherapeutenkammer relevant to your federal state. Similar bodies exist in most countries where our practitioners are based.
Let us know what happened
Even where we cannot adjudicate or investigate individual cases, we want to hear from you. You can reach us at support@complicated.life. We keep records of all concerns raised, and these inform our ongoing monitoring of practitioners on the platform.
If an official investigation by a professional body results in a finding of misconduct, please share that documentation with us. We will review it promptly and take appropriate action, up to and including removing the practitioner from the platform.
Taking care of yourself
A harmful experience in therapy can be its own source of distress. You may want to speak with your GP, or – when you feel ready – we can help you find a new practitioner through our Matching Program.