Pre-Trial Therapy: What Every Therapist Needs to Know

As therapists, we know that the therapeutic space should be one of healing, trust, and safety. But when a client is also navigating the criminal justice system as a survivor of sexual violence, that walk becomes more complex — and the consequences of missteps more serious.

For many therapists, we may not always be aware or have a confident knowledge of the legal frameworks that shape our work in these circumstances. But survivors need us to be. And it’s our responsibility to be informed. The choices you make in session — what you explore, what you document — can have real implications in court.

That’s where Pre-Trial Therapy (PTT) comes in — and why getting the right training is crucial.

What is Pre-Trial Therapy?

Pre-Trial Therapy (sometimes known as Pre-trial Conditions) refers to any therapeutic work undertaken before a survivor’s court case concludes. It’s a time when survivors are often in greatest need of support, yet also at highest risk of being re-traumatised — not just by the legal process, but by well-meaning but misinformed approaches within therapy itself.

Therapists often don’t realise that:

• Therapy notes may be disclosed as evidence in court
• The content of therapy sessions may be scrutinised by legal professionals
• Certain approaches or discussions, if mishandled, could impact the integrity of the survivor’s case

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has issued guidance on how to navigate this, but without training, it can be hard to interpret and implement. This is especially daunting when you’re trying to offer client-centred, trauma-informed support while also safeguarding your client’s legal process.

Why this matters

For survivors, navigating a legal system that is already stacked against them can be exhausting, disempowering and retraumatising. As therapists, we are one of the few spaces where they can safely explore their experiences, build resilience and regain a sense of control.

But to do that, we have to know how to work ethically and legally within the confines of a live criminal investigation.

This isn’t about becoming legal experts — it’s about ensuring we’re not unintentionally harming the people we’re trying to help. It’s about aligning our practice with survivor needs, while understanding how therapy can co-exist alongside their journey through the justice system.

About the training

With over 35 years of frontline Rape Crisis support and 15 years of delivering specialist training, Survivors’ Network has designed a workshop that supports therapists to feel confident and equipped in this vital area. This session is delivered by a therapeutically trained facilitator with in-depth knowledge of supporting survivors through the criminal justice system.

Our Pre-Trial Therapy Conditions Training covers:

• A deep dive into CPS guidance and what it means in practice
• The difference between therapeutic vs. evidential discussions
• Ethical considerations around disclosure, note-taking and boundaries
• How to offer meaningful support without compromising the case
• How to advocate for survivors within institutional systems
• Resources, referrals, and survivor-led best practices

You’ll leave the session with a toolkit to better support your clients, as well as peace of mind knowing you’re working in a way that is informed, responsible, and rooted in survivor empowerment.

Why now?

With the national conversation around survivors’ rights growing louder — and ongoing concerns about how the justice system continues to fail survivors — there’s never been a more urgent time to ensure we’re doing all we can in our roles.

This training is essential for:

• Private practice therapists
• Counsellors in schools, colleges or NHS settings
• Trainee therapists working with young people or adults
• Supervisors supporting therapists in these contexts
• Organisations who want to ensure their staff are confident and compliant

Upcoming training session

•  Online – accessible from anywhere in the UK
•  Book now on Eventbrite
• CPD certificates included
•  Space for Q&A and discussion

This is more than just a box-ticking exercise — it’s about building trust, doing no harm, and ensuring survivors are supported with care and confidence.

Join us in changing the culture of how survivors are supported — in therapy and beyond.

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