Related Mental Health: October 2004 Archives
I was pleased to hear about a newly published book dealing with self harm in combination with eating disorders. As I've mentioned in previous posts (28th July 04 and 30th March 04, self harm is a major and possibly growing problem amongst young people in the UK and elsewhere and often occurs alongside eating problems. 'Self Harm and Eating Disorders' edited by John L. Levitt, Randy A. Sansone and Leigh Cohn will hopefully help clinicians to deal with this comorbidity more effectively.
The following is from the promotional blurb on the book:
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.
