Carpeted: The therapist who branded his patient a waste of space

Dr John McCarron was found to have insulted his patients and behaved in a way that would be detrimental to their health.

The 44-year-old doctor works for the Lancashire Care NHS Trust in adult occupational therapy. But he has also been in private practice since 1997.

His website says he specialises in the treatment of trauma and is 'extensively trained' in developing 'leadership capacity, empowerment and personal growth'. Such therapy can cost up to £80 an hour.

The British Psychological Society's conduct committee heard that two of Dr McCarron's patients were unhappy with their treatment and distressed by his 'demeaning' approach.

One 52-year-old man, a mechanic who had suffered from anxiety for nine years and was unable to work because of severe depression, had been referred to him by his GP.

He told the committee that Dr McCarron had called him, among other things, a 'w***er', a 'waste of space' and 'an idiot' during sessions, adding that he had felt bullied.

Another patient complained that the psychologist was judgmental and had said words to the effect of: "Pull yourself together, you're pathetic."

Dr McCarron denied swearing directly at a client but admitted he may have used such language within conversations 'to increase rapport and engagement'. He had seen both patients between 2001 and 2002 and said he no longer used bad language in sessions or attempted to challenge clients in this way.

The hearing in January was told that since 2004 he had been under supervision implemented by his NHS Trust and was developing 'respectful collaborative work with clients'.

Finding that Dr McCarron had not intended to insult clients but that the effect of his approach had been insulting, the committee reprimanded him and ruled he had breached its code of conduct. It also demanded reports on his work for the next two years.

When contacted, Dr McCarron refused to comment and referred the matter to Lancashire Care NHS Trust.

A trust spokesperson said: "The trust is very clear that any behaviour towards people using our services which is found to be abusive or insulting is not acceptable."