Complaints & Professional Conduct Procedure
A clear, fair, and professionally structured process for raising, reviewing, and resolving concerns relating to therapists practising under Gurmat Therapy® supervision or accreditation.
This procedure exists to protect clients, practitioners, and the integrity of consciousness-based therapeutic work. It ensures that concerns are addressed with seriousness, transparency, and proportionate action.
Purpose of This Procedure
The purpose of this procedure is to provide a structured mechanism for receiving and responding to complaints, safeguarding concerns, and professional conduct issues. It applies to supervised therapists, accredited practitioners, trainees, and, where relevant, supervisors working within the Gurmat Therapy® framework.
The process is designed to be fair to all parties. It seeks first to establish clarity and evidence, and then to respond in a way that protects wellbeing, supports accountability, and preserves professional standards.
Who Can Raise a Concern
Concerns may be raised by:
- Clients or former clients
- Supervised therapists or trainees
- Supervisors or colleagues
- Partner organisations or referrers
- Any person directly affected by professional conduct
Concerns may relate to:
- Boundary violations
- Misrepresentation of training or competence
- Unsafe or destabilising practice
- Confidentiality breaches
- Psychological, emotional, or relational harm
- Failure to engage with required supervision
Grounds for Review
Professional conduct concerns
- Inappropriate behaviour toward clients
- Dual relationships or dependency-creating dynamics
- Exploitative financial or relational conduct
- False or exaggerated public claims
Practice concerns
- Working beyond competence or training
- Failure to refer when needed
- Use of interventions likely to destabilise
- Operating without sufficient psychophysiological awareness
Ethical alignment concerns
- Reinforcing client identification and dependency
- Using spiritual or consciousness language to bypass harm
- Persistent lack of accountability in supervision
- Repeated failure to observe personal projections or reactivity
Administrative concerns
- Failure to maintain active supervision status
- Unauthorised use of Gurmat Therapy® name or status
- Breach of agreed supervision or accreditation terms
- Non-compliance with required professional documentation
How the Procedure Works
Complaint Received
A concern is submitted in writing, outlining the issue, relevant dates, and any supporting information available.
Initial Review
The complaint is reviewed to determine whether it falls within the scope of Gurmat Therapy® supervision, accreditation, or governance.
Information Gathering
Relevant information is requested from the practitioner and, where appropriate, additional evidence or clarification is gathered.
Review Outcome
A decision is made regarding whether the matter requires advice, remediation, increased supervision, formal warning, suspension, or removal of status.
Resolution & Follow-Up
The outcome is communicated clearly, recorded appropriately, and followed by any required review period or corrective action.
Possible Outcomes
| Outcome | When it may apply | Typical response |
|---|---|---|
| No further action | Where the concern is unsubstantiated or outside scope | Record closed with written clarification |
| Informal resolution | Where the issue is minor and remediable | Advice, clarification, reflective review, or agreed corrective action |
| Enhanced supervision | Where practice concerns require closer oversight | Additional supervision sessions, case review, reflective tasks, or limits on practice |
| Formal warning | Where conduct falls below expected standard | Written warning with required remedial actions and review date |
| Suspension | Where there is significant concern about safety, ethics, or fitness to practise | Temporary removal of accredited or supervised status pending review |
| Removal of status | Where serious or repeated breaches occur | Termination of practitioner recognition under Gurmat Therapy® |
Principles Guiding the Review
Fairness
All concerns are reviewed carefully and without assumption. Practitioners will be given opportunity to respond before a formal outcome is reached, except where immediate safeguarding action is required.
Proportionality
Responses will be proportionate to the seriousness, pattern, and impact of the concern. Not every issue requires punitive action; some require education, supervision, or restoration of clarity.
Protection of wellbeing
The primary concern is protection of clients, the public, and the integrity of practice. Where significant risk is identified, action may be taken quickly.
Accountability
Consciousness-based practice does not sit outside professional responsibility. Insight language, spiritual framing, or therapeutic intention do not excuse poor boundaries, distortion, or harm.
Confidentiality
Complaints will be handled with appropriate discretion. Information will be shared only where necessary for review, safeguarding, or legal responsibility. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where risk of harm or legal obligation is present.
Raising a Complaint
Complaints should be submitted in writing and include:
- Name of the practitioner concerned
- Summary of the concern
- Relevant dates or approximate timeline
- Any supporting information or documentation
- Preferred contact details for response
Written complaints may be sent to the designated Gurmat Therapy® supervision contact listed on the supervision or governance pages.