Derek Draper has misled his patients, the press and the public over his degree *update 2*
Posted by gimpy on February 19, 2009
Last week I accused Derek Draper of acting unprofessionally and seeking to imply that he was a clinical psychologist when he is not through prominent mention of his MA in Clinical Psychology. Mr Draper was reluctant to answer questions about the precise nature of his qualifications and whether or not he was misleading people, choosing instead to issue veiled legal threats. As Mr Draper was uncooperative I had to contact the Wright Institute about his qualifications, they have informed me that Mr Draper received the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in March 2004. As Mr Draper has claimed a degree in Clinical Psychology prominently on his website, and in the pages of The Guardian, I felt it necessary to double check with the Wright Institute – they assured me that Mr Draper’s degree is in Psychology. I feel that I can be confident in my allegation that Mr Draper deliberately misled his patients, the press and subsequently the public over his qualifications.
I can see no reason why Mr Draper felt it necessary to mislead in such an unprofessional manner, there is no dispute that he attained the standards required for an MA from the Wright Institute and having an MA in either Psychology or Clinical Psychology would amply qualify him to practice as a psychotherapist in Britain, many practitioners hold lesser educational attainments than Mr Draper. It is decidedly odd that Mr Draper would do such a thing as to gild his actual qualifications with the fools gold of extra detail and compromise his integrity. Sadly the fact that his degree is misrepresented calls into question Mr Draper’s professional judgement, it is reasonable to demand that he clarify this as soon as possible.
Should Mr Draper feel confused over the precise nature of his qualifications I would like to remind him that he enrolled in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) programme at the Wright Institute, which is a qualification in clinical psychology and accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), but left after attaining the requirements for the MA in Psychology, part of the PsyD programme but which is not accredited by the APA.
*Update*
Interestingly in the comments on my first post Draper states;
I do, however, after 3 years of full time study have an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Fact. [...] I will not allow my professional reputation to be harmed and will take any action necessary to protect it.
It is a pity he did not clarify his educational attainments when he had the chance, his professional reputation has now been irreparably harmed. Lest my readers think I have been unfair in not giving Draper the opportunity to respond, I have stated 4 or 5 times in personal correspondence (cc’ed to his lawyer) over the last week that I would be willing to give him the opportunity on this blog to clarify his position and respond to some questions. If anyone disputes this I am happy to publish my side of the correspondence on here.
Derek, if you are reading this and you have been dishonest about any other aspect of your work as a psychotherapist it might be best to admit it now.
*Update 2*
Derek is in The Independent today sharing his professional opinions on a variety of subjects. Josie from Birmingham asks the following question:
You recently squared up to a journalist who wrote something about you that you didn’t like. As a qualified psychotherapist, is your view that this is a sensible way to process anger?
I do actually. That guy impugned my professional integrity, having got some basic facts wrong that he should have checked. His paper has since published a correction. But I was angry, very angry and I think, within reason and on occasion, expressing anger is a good thing to do. It’s actually just as valid an emotion as any of the others. So I don’t regret it at all.
I can’t think of many professions where it is considered acceptable to get angry and physically threaten people when they ask you awkward questions. Certainly not a profession such as psychotherapy where you deal with vulnerable children and adults. Draper is continuing to undermine his professional integrity through his lies, evasions and justification of violent acts. It will be interesting to see what the BACP make of this.
[BPSDB]
dvnutrix said
As you point out, this is about accuracy, and Derek Draper is at least as (if not better)qualified than most on BACP.
Just to be clear – there is wibble about the in/at Berkeley with Derek Draper claiming it is not his responsibility to correct the errors of others. Presumably, we shall now learn that he is not responsible for the usual interpretation of ‘clinical psychologist’ even when he hosts items that refer to it on his own website (N.B., see below) and his own website casts his qualifications and experience in the context of clinical psychology?
This enthusiasm for adding in extraneous detail is an oddly recurrent theme. As well as getting the date of his degree wrong, Patrick Holford still maintains that his degree is in Experimental Psychology when it is, and always has been, in Psychology.
To an outsider, it looks incomprehensible that they would continue insisting on such things when they are plainly wrong. However, as there is no legal restriction on calling yourself a psychologist or even clinical psychologist, it looks like Draper, Holford and similar think that there are no consequences to repeating such material, even when demonstrably wrong.
Yet, it works well for them. Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur.
Wulfstan said
The burning question is – will Derek Draper opt to settle this in a way that befits a scholar and a gentleman or a pugilist coach suited to Kyle’s Academy?
He is fond of calling upon people to be accountable. Maybe he might consider holding himself accountable for the number of times that “clinical psychology” appears on his site.
Maybe, just maybe, he might ponder on why he uses the phrase, “clinical psychology” and what comfort and confidence such nomenclature elicits in those who rely upon his opinion/expertise. The qualification issue in no way reflects upon his actual level of skill (although it would be good to hear a reference for that that doesn’t originate from him) but it is an interesting aberration.
colin said
I have a degree in psychology. I have a masters in cognitive neuropsychology and a keen interest in science. I love psychology but mostly the science parts i will admit. It makes me angry when people misguide the public about what they do. It is akin to a homeopath saying they are a medical researcher. I know that people can claim to be a counsellor and therapist and have no qualifications. I believe in good science, good research and honesty in a profession.
colin said
god read the other article, to be a clinical psychologist you need to be a member of the bps, not the bacp. the bacp is for counsellors. this type of thing is the reason i get angry at tv psychologists. Getting angry now.
JohnK said
Colin: You don’t need to be a member of the bps to be a clinical psychologist in the uk. You just need to be eligible for chartered membership of the bps division of clinical psychology, which most got from completing doctoral courses accredited by the bps. many, possibly most, uk cp’s were not bps members until recently, when the issue of statutory regulation under the HPC made most want to get chartered to smooth their way into that regulation.
Mike Eslea said
Ah, now I feel like a right tit for defending him on the other thread. I should have known that such a new labour wonk was probably still a wrong’un. Well done Gimpy for getting at him!
gimpy said
Mike Eslea, there is nothing wrong with giving someone the benefit of the doubt initially. Interestingly in the comments on my first post Draper states;
It is a pity he did not clarify his educational attainments when he had the chance, his professional reputation has now been irreparably harmed. Lest my readers think I have been unfair in not giving Draper the opportunity to respond, I have stated 4 or 5 times in personal correspondence (cc’ed to his lawyer) over the last week that I would be willing to give him the opportunity on this blog to clarify his position and respond to some questions. If anyone disputes this I am happy to publish my side of the correspondence on here.
Snowbird said
It’s kind of a odd that since he seems to have been hedging from the beginning that he didn’t leave some wiggle room for himself. Perhaps, he should have said something to the effect of “…after having studied clinical psychology for three years I received an MA.” That way he could claim that he never stated that he had an MA in clinical psych, but that people misinterpreted him – again.
Goldacre fan said
Oh Gimpy – what a pillock he is. Oh why, oh why doesn’t he stop digging?
I feel very strongly that his educational embroidery is appalling bearing in mind his choice of career.
I’ve added your excellent Sherlockery to my blog.
RM said
Good digging Gimpy! Very worrying though that Draper has chosen to misrepresent his qualifications like this, considering that he deals with vulnerable clients. Shouldn’t that alone be enough to get him chucked out of BACP?
Bardirect said
Doesn’t “patients” imply a medical qualification too?
As he is working in an area of “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” they must be regarded as “clients” instead.
UnfortunateEngle said
You’ve got much more guts than I Gimpy, well done. I wonder if Draper is really as awful a human being as he portrays himself in public? He seems to have the self-awareness of a bad-tempered toddler. Is he entirely incapable of honest reflection? New Labour’s continuing relationship with this character must demonstrate their desperation and just how nasty the party really is.
Bardirect said
UnfortunateEngle has illuminated at least one nail on the head.
Modern psychotherapy is supposed to involve “reflective practice” – a telling vacuum in the present contect.
I do not know what modality of psychotherapy is advocated at the Wright Institute, but if I had embarked on a “Doctorate in Clinical Psychology” I would be a little disappointed after 3 years to end up with an “MA in Psychology” which doesn’t appear to provide even the respected “Graduate Basis for Registration” for the British Psychological Society.
Usually it is the problematic scientific study (and application)of statistics which makes the difference between an BA and a BSc for the first degree which makes that difference.
My own long held degree did provide that entitlement (GBR) but it did not mean that I could practise law (litigation therapy) without further qualification and if I wish to be a psychotherapist I will need to do some additional training.
Titus Aduxas said
Dreck Draper was a spin doctor. It was his job to write text that, at first glance said one thing, but said something completely different, when closely examined. This is exactly what his CV is – full of deliberate obfuscations.
If he is even the slightest bit innocent, he will rewrite his CV to be totally honest and unequivocal. I can’t see it happening, though.
dvnutrix said
Update 2 fills me with dismay.
There is digging a hole and there is hiring in JCB and setting to with a will.
gimpy said
Yes Dvnutrix, the man seems utterly without comprehension of what is considered acceptable and what is not.
draust said
He also seems utterly without insight – which seems odd given that undergoing talking therapy is usually a major part of training to deliver it
bardirect said
I wondered whether a failed doctorate student who ended up only with an MA could actually still practice as a psychotherapist at all (in California, other US states or internationally)so I asked the Wright Institute (because I do actually have a B.Sc with the GBR (Graduate Basis for Registration) of the British Psychological Society and might want to study further …
They promise a reply within 24 hrs
I have not received one after 72 hrs.
I will continue with “litigation therapy”
gimpy said
While the lack of qualifications required to deal with vulnerable individuals is worrying it is unfair to single out Draper in particular for this. There are precious few rules governing who can and cannot practice as a psychotherapist. Derek Draper is considered to have enough qualifications to practice so I don’t see any point in challenging him on these grounds, professional conduct is an entirely different matter though.
CPsychol said
I am a UK qualified clinical psychologist, holding an undergraduate degree in psychology providing the BPS graduate basis for registration and a doctorate in clinical psychology.
My qualification took 8 years’ full time work and study to obtain and the route is academically rigorous and extremely competitive. I have been irritated a number of times over the years since Derek has returned to these shores with his expensively acquired qualification, mainly because his considerable political reputation has, in my opinion, afforded him a degree of coverage and influence in the field of mental health that does not fit with his training or experience. He even had the temerity to publish an article on the future of psychotherapy in the NHS which, arguably, could only have been written by a person with no, or minimal, experience of working in NHS mental health services.
The upcoming statutory regulation of the profession should put paid to the problem of people calling themselves clinical psychologists, or implying that they are, when they are not. This will now be illegal (although the term ‘psychologist’ by itself is still unregulated so Mr Draper could continue to describe himself as such.)
By the way, I’m also curious about the statement given by the Wright Institute that an MA in Clinical Psychology would ‘amply’ qualify him to practice as a psychotherapist in Britain. The UKCP would be able to answer this question. As far as the BPS is concerned, not that I speak for them, an MA level degree is insufficient for status as a chartered psychologist – it has to be doctorate level.
Bardirect said
Guido is reporting an exchange with Draper who claims “qualifications as a psychotherapist including an MA in psychology” so appears to have dropped the “Clinical” bit, however, the use of the word “including” implies a claim to some other qualification in psychology.
http://www.order-order.com/2009/03/draper-passing-round-hat-for-money.html
gimpy said
Yeah, I saw that Bardirect. Expect a new post on Draper soon.
Bardirect said
Guido’s Gone!
Getting a “Server Not Found Error 404″
gimpy said
He’s back up at his old place, hope it’s not Draper related or I may have to be cautious.
http://5thnovember.blogspot.com/
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