UK Therapists to face registration

A recent article in the Observer draws attention to plans for registration of therapists with the Health Professions Council who will oversee training and professional practice. Joining the register will be voluntary but potential clients will be able to check whether a practitioner is registered before they agree to see them. Currently there are 19 different bodies representing different strands of therapy and counselling in the UK. Anyone can call themselves a 'therapist' or 'psychotherapist' even if they have no professional training.

Although the details are still to be ironed out, most professional bodies to which therapists belong are broadly in favour of regulation. Philip Hodson, fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy responded positively to the news: 'For the first time, members and clients will be protected. Members will have qualifications that can be verified. Their behaviour and conduct can be professionally challenged.'

More information on this is available from the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) website.