The statutory regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors: call for ideas

The Health Professions Council are seeking views on the potential statutory regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors.

Specifically, BACP would like your comments on the following two questions:

1.) Which titles should be protected and why?

Each part of the Register has at least one title which is protected by law. This means that only someone who is HPC registered is legally able to use a protected title. The HPC believe that the number of titles protected should aim to strike a balance between preventing the misuse of professional titles, against the need for effective public recognition.

The Professional Liaison Group (PLG) will want to consider which titles are commonly used and who they are used by. For example, whether it is possible to protect the title ‘counsellor' or whether this title is so widely in use outside of therapeutic settings that it could only be protected as part of an adjectival title, for example ‘relationship', only someone registered as a relationship could use this title, however the term ‘counsellor' would not be protected.

2.) What issues should the Professional Liaison Group consider in determining the threshold level of qualification for entry to the Register?

The HPC need to set the threshold level at the level necessary for people who successfully complete an education and training programme to meet all of the standards for proficiency. The threshold level has to be set at the level necessary for safe and effective practice.

For further information on these questions and to read the consultation document: http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/consultations/index.asp?id=166

Please send any comments to Suky Khele, Research & Public Affairs Officer (suky.khele@bacp.co.uk / 01455 883352) by the 4 October 2008.