01/04/2026
Something that continues to concern me is how often therapeutic modalities are promoted without equal attention to their risks or limitations. With nearly a decade of experience in clinical counselling and coaching, along with formal training in both fields and neuroscience, a consistent pattern emerges: practitioners are often encouraged to apply specific modalities broadly, without sufficient emphasis on individual suitability.
Not every modality works for every person. Presenting any approach as a universal solution something that will “fix” behaviour or change a mindset can be misleading and, in some cases, harmful. If an intervention exacerbates or triggers distress rather than alleviating it, it raises an important question about responsibility and professional accountability.
In areas such as self-harm and suicidal ideation, topics I have undertaken multiple trainings in due to their prevalence in this field, the risks are particularly significant. Applying certain techniques without thorough assessment, proper training, or collaboration with other treating professionals can have unintended consequences. For example, guiding someone into a vulnerable or regressed emotional state without knowing their full psychological history, including potential suicidal thoughts, and without ensuring appropriate emotional closure, may intensify distress rather than resolve it.
This highlights the importance of careful assessment, ongoing evaluation, and a tailored approach. Professionals should be asking: How do I determine whether a modality is appropriate for this individual? How do I measure whether it is genuinely helping them progress?
Ongoing professional development is essential, but it should also involve critical thinking. It’s important not only to learn new approaches, but also to question what may be missing from that education, particularly in terms of risks, contraindications, and ethical application.
At LM Therapy, we place a strong emphasis on continually assessing each client’s progress and clearly communicating that progress to them. This ongoing evaluation and transparency are key factors contributing to our consistently high success rates.
