Have you made a clinical will?

Wisdom gained from experience is often the catalyst for change. We see this all the time in the therapy room. But how often do we, as therapists, challenge ourselves in that way? Therapeutic challenge can look like facing the unknown; staring into the abyss and sitting with uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty. We ask this of clients every time we meet with them. But it’s human nature to want to create certainty because, when we haven’t any, we can feel unprepared, insecure and scared.

Have you considered what would happen to your clients and supervisees if anything happens to you? Many of us don’t. Those of us who do might hope a colleague will step in, but many of us in private practice don’t have a colleague who could step in. Either way, many of us aren’t prepared. But do we really want to leave everything to chance, hope for the best or hope it doesn’t happen?

Personally speaking, as a therapist who carries a heavy caseload of clients and supervisees each week, that would be a lot of phone calls or emails to make, assuming I get the chance. If not, that’s a lot of people with whom I’ve shared space, who have trusted me, with who will be left wondering why I haven’t turned up.

What will they do? How will they know I’m not coming back if no one tells them? How will they know whether to move on and how do they begin to navigate the unknown with a new therapist? Will that uncertainty tap into old wounds? For these reasons, making a clinical will is mandated in the ethical frameworks of all major professional membership bodies - BACP, UKCP and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC), as well as recommended by many training organisations. Clinical wills are an important part of working ethically.

What is a clinical will?

If I’m ever unable to work suddenly due to an accident or critical illness or if I die unexpectedly, I want to know that my clients and supervisees will at least be informed in a way that provides closure for them and respects my privacy. This offers me peace of mind in the present and in the future, if such a time comes it will allow me to prioritise what’s important to me at the time.

Additionally, a clinical will reduces the administrative and emotional burden on family or friends, especially as they may be anxious or grieving, or occupied with other duties relating to our illness or death. In the same way that we take our ethical responsibilities seriously as practitioners, we can also consider how to minimise the impact of our illness or death on those closest to us. Having a clinical will in place will help us do this.

In its simplest form, a clinical will sets out your instructions for what will happen to your practice in the event of your sudden and incapacitating illness or death. It sets out how clients can be contacted and supported if a practitioner is unable to do so themselves. A clinical will can also help clients think about finding a new therapist, support them or refer them on to a therapist who can further help.

As therapists, we are always considering the client’s perspective - their world and their frame of reference, often providing a reparative relationship never experienced before. It’s important we don’t lose ourselves in those relationships and so how might we feel if we are not able to contact our clients due to ill health? Closure is important for us, too. 

We know our clients well, they have trusted us and shared things with us that they possibly have never shared with another soul. We know how difficult news would be best delivered. If we plan for the eventuality in advance, we can continue to support our clients indirectly. If and when the time comes, we can have peace in the knowledge that such things are being taken care of sensitively, professionally and confidentially by professionals who understand the work we do.

If you would like to find out more about arranging a clinical will please get in touch. We have bespoke and ready-to-go plans available.