The art of deception: The importance of honesty in the professional sphere.
Listing a degree not yet earned is a form of fraud and deceptive advertising.
A comment on something that caught my attention this week: a new Instagram account. Everyone is free to interpret things from their own perspective. But frankly, I don't think this new information offers enough alternatives to ignore it. Because, after all, dishonesty, both in academia and professional settings, is widely condemned, as it erodes trust, devalues credentials, and creates unfair advantages.
This is the art of deception, which demonstrates how social media allows individuals to conceal lies by pretending to be someone they’re not, such as fabricating their education or career. Apparently, Steph is a liar like SH. Lying on an Instagram profile is impersonation (an offence against public trust).
In her private Instagram bio, she claims to hold an MA in Counselling Psychology, but on her new professional Instagram account, linked with the first, she states a new situation, that she is enrolled in that programme and still needs to complete her “practicum placement”, a required component of many postgraduate programmes. A practicum is considered a "beginner's level internship" where the focus is on training, development, and building professional skills under supervision. I wonder which university.
She herself revealed her own lie, as she is still in “practicum placement” for an MA Counselling Psychology degree; she is a post-graduate student, which does not constitute a full professional qualification. Steph Bullock should not present herself as having a "master's degree in Counselling Psychology" if she has not completed it and holds the relevant university degree in this field.
She remains a post-graduate student during her practicum placement and is not yet fully qualified as a Counselling Psychologist. She should emphasise her "trainee" status in her introductions and all official documentation. A practicum placement is a learning experience where academic knowledge is applied under the supervision of a qualified, experienced professional. Therefore, clients have a right to know they are working with a post-graduate student still under supervision, because using an "M.A" title before actually being licensed can lead to legal issues for practising without a licence.
As a post-graduate student enrolled in a Counselling Psychology programme, she cannot claim to hold a Master's in Counselling Psychology because that title is misleading, inaccurate, and unethical, as she has not yet fulfilled the degree requirements. She lies to appear more successful, confident, or expert than she truly is, creating a "false bubble”. Don’t assume you’re that important. You are not.
Claiming to hold a "Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology" and supposedly having completed it, when this is false, constitutes outright deception of followers. Pretending to have a master's degree without having obtained it, in an attempt to gain credibility on social media and impress people without the necessary knowledge, constitutes professional misrepresentation and can be considered credential fraud and practising a pseudo-professional. Offering therapy or counselling without the necessary professional qualifications is an unauthorised practice, which constitutes an offence against the legitimate exercise of the profession.
Just a side note: In Scotland 🏴 (and the rest of the UK 🇬🇧), an MA (Master of Arts) in Counselling Psychology alone does not qualify you to work as a Clinical Psychologist. If you want to practice as a Clinical Psychologist, you must hold registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which requires specific PhD-level training. “Clinical Psychologist" is protected by law. You cannot work in the NHS Scotland without being on the HCPC register. Stephanie Bullock French has never been enrolled in any doctoral programme, so she does not have a PhD, as some try to imply.
It is a very difficult situation when individuals exaggerate or outright fabricate their past. Whether in a professional or personal context, dealing with deception can be complicated. She finds it helpful to focus on these facts, and with her inconsistent behaviour, she takes advantage of those around her who do not assess her true intentions. She invents her past, often rooted in deep insecurity and a desire to quickly attain status. To be honest, if SH doesn't realise this in a woman, he's a truly idiot — neither of them knows how to conduct themselves.
When you have a profession, there is no room for lies, only for the truth, because anything else sets a bad example. The importance of honesty in a professional setting emphasises that it leaves little space for dishonesty, as people learn directly from their experiences. It’s about living truthfully through everyday actions, not just telling the truth. When a professional is honest, consistent, and genuine, they foster trust that helps clients, students, colleagues, and relationships feel secure and appreciate the value of integrity.
Never claim or imply that you have a university degree or any formal academic credential if you don't. It's important to respect the years of effort and dedication of those who invest in obtaining a degree. I hope this helps before you try to embellish your resume.
Indeed, fabricating credentials in academia is regarded as unacceptable, unethical, and unprofessional, representing one of the gravest breaches of academic integrity and research standards. This is evidenced by her shambolic behaviour on Instagram, where she deleted her old degrees, thus exposing her purported "academic crisis." However, she forgot that the internet is forever. On Saturday, March 21st, her personal account was updated, removing the fake academic degree and the link to her professional account from her new profile. To the surprise of many, Machiavellianism and emotional manipulation are not limited to one gender.
What a deception! Her claim to have a degree to gain status, convince, and impress someone, as a self-aggrandising charlatan!
Is SH's companion willing to twist the knife and plunge him further into a nervous breakdown while he awaits a second legal battle over his trademark before the EUIPO?
Her photo with a helmet and a Scottish bandana is cringe, so if her goal was to look ridiculous she achieved it.
Now she has separated her personal life account from her business IG account. But it sounds like she’s trying to scrub her digital footprint or minimise her visibility, likely because she was called out or realised the "fake degree" could lead to trouble and abruptly changed her online identity from her grandiose claims to vague initials.
ICAHP - International Community for Alternative and Holistic Professionals. It’s a certificate for holistic healing (an accreditation) it’s not a university diploma.
Posted 21st March 2026
