Clinical psychologists employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are concerned that the welfare and recovery of people with complex mental health conditions will be jeopardized if plans go ahead to limit the number of treatment sessions any patient can receive.
Current practice allows people with complex conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder, to receive as many sessions with a psychologist as they require before discharge.
Community-based psychologists have been told to discharge every patient after a total of 20 sessions, including assessment and treatment planning time.
The professional organisation for clinical psychologists says that imposing rules will not resolve service pressures.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde claims their teams deliver psychological therapies within national guidance, and more sessions can be delivered when necessary.
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A psychologist, speaking anonymously, said the cap seems arbitrary and risks cutting off treatment before it has made a lasting difference.
They questioned whether monitoring will be stepped up to establish the impact of imposing a session cap, given that they have never been asked to provide patient outcome scores.
The psychologist believes the proposal will be bad for patients with complex conditions and for the service, as clinicians will have to cope with the knowledge that some patients have not received all the help they should have.
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde stated that evidence shows most adults complete treatment within around 20 sessions, and staff are advised to aim for this while allowing flexibility for more sessions when necessary.
The board claims the quality and effectiveness of services are monitored through robust clinical governance arrangements, including regular reviews of patient progress and treatment outcomes.
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Dr Jake Easto, Director for Scotland of the Association of Clinical Psychologists UK, said that addressing service pressures and achieving the best outcomes for patients are best done by allowing clinicians to use their judgement.
Clinical psychologists are highly trained practitioners who can determine the minimum intervention needed to bring about meaningful and lasting change, and these decisions should be grounded in the evidence base.
As NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde continues to face pressure on its services, the proposed session limit will impact patients and clinicians alike.
It remains to be seen how this will affect them.
