ABSTRACT
Adverse effects are sufficiently common that all therapists need to be aware of them and understand that there are a range of different strategies that can be used to address them in routine practice. These include providing sufficient information about therapy before it begins and ensuring that there are agreed systems for reviewing both positive and negative experiences of therapy, which take account of the wider social context. However, it is not just therapists’ responsibility to attend to adverse effects. Adverse effects also need to be understood in an organisational context. Service and organisational factors will influence client experiences and the extent to which therapists are able to respond appropriately. This chapter will discuss how adverse effects can be defined, identified and understood. It will also consider the strategies that can be used to address adverse effects and the implications for professional and ethical practice.
