A recent article in the magazine for members of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) has highlighted again the need for research, factual investigation and informed debate about the chronic illness M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or MECFS).
The article’s main focus is gaslighting, long paths to diagnosis and other themes that are familiar to many patients with chronic illness. But when it came to M.E. the usual theories of ‘mind/body’ medicine were raised. It isn’t the worst example of this, for sure, but with such a wide and important readership it is important this is challenged with evidence.
A group of us signed a letter to the Editor which we share here:
Dear Editor
It was encouraging to see an article that explored the extensive gaslighting faced by people with chronic illnesses (‘The Big Issue: The silent fight’, September 2025). It correctly highlights the need for therapists to be circumspect about their own skills and expertise before offering therapy to this client group, in particular people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). People with M.E. often face grief and gaslighting on top of the specific issues of their physical illness itself.
It was, therefore, shocking to find that two paragraphs repeated the unfounded ‘trauma theories of causation’ and supposed ‘neuroplasticity’ with suggestions that there are effective cures and treatments based on these theories. Many patients find these both insulting and wrong, and there is no evidence to back them.
There are no studies using a correct and up-to-date definition of M.E. (as opposed to the general symptom ‘chronic fatigue’ which often appears alongside several psychiatric illnesses or as a side effect of cancer treatment etc) that demonstrate higher levels of trauma amongst patients with the condition, let alone a causal link.
Studies into the effectiveness of ‘neuroplasticity’ are hampered by the same failure to define M.E. correctly and have no evidence base showing effectiveness in this condition. At least one programme is so discredited it has been specifically warned against by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE Guideline 206, section 1.12.27) and both it another, the Gupta Programme (mentioned in the piece) have been criticised by the Advertising Standards Agency (https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/harley-street-solutions-ltd-a17-400324.html and https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/health-the-lightning-process.html). It is an appalling failure of research, fact checking and editorial supervision that an otherwise informative and necessary piece about the experiences people with chronic health conditions has misled readers in such crucial ways and perpetuated these damaging myths.
We ask for a correction and withdrawal of the two paragraphs that cover these discredited theories and ‘treatments’. We respectfully suggest that future articles on this topic could perhaps start with interviewing the authors of: The Role of Psychotherapy in the Care of Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Grande & Grande et al, who could give informed insights into the long debates and controversies in this area. Alternatively, any of the national M.E. organisations (for example, Action for ME which runs its own counselling service, the ME Association which offers emotional support via a helpline) can help check facts before publication.
Yours sincerely,
Elisabeth Klaar, website designer, Founder/Director, www.chroniclivingtherapy.com
Co-signatories (in alphabetical order by surname):
Kelly Alldersea, Counsellor at Action for ME
Sally Callow, Founder/Director, Stripy Lightbulb CIC
Joan Crawford, Chartered Counselling Psychologist, HCPC registered, Senior Counselling Psychologist, Chronic Pain Management Service, St Helens, Merseyside
Dr Leanne Curreli, Educational Psychologist
Claire Every, Director, Long Covid Advocacy
Lynne Forrest, Chartered Psychologist
Jill Grant, Educational Psychologist
Jenny Gray, Action for ME, Lead for the Counselling Teams (Adult and CYP)
Dr Jo Greer, Educational Psychologist
Augusta Gully, Counsellor in private practice
Mark Harper, Chair, Cambridge ME Group
Amina Hussain, Music Therapist
Louise Kenward, Psychologist & writer
Dr Daragh Keogh, Counselling Psychologist and Assistant Professor
Dr Aisling Lennon, Clinical Psychologist
Ian Nye, Music Therapist, DipMTh (York)
Pamela Phillips DIP MSc, Counsellor
Nicky Proctor, PhD Student
Leanne Skarratt, Therapist-in-training / BACP Student Member living with ME/CFS
Co-signatories added after submission (in alphabetical order by surname):
Carole Bruce, Psychotherapist (retired through illness)
Ann-Marie McConnell, (retired Counsellor)
Nikki Thomson, Time to Talk Chester, MBACP
Dan Wyke, MBACP
(If you’re a therapist who’d like to add your name please get in touch, and if you’d like to keep in touch with this project please sign up for our monthly newsletter on the same page.)
Photo credit – image at the top of the page by Romain Dancre on Unsplash
