Links on regulation

Government bodies

HPC - Regulation of Psychotherapists and Counsellors
'The HPC is a UK-wide regulatory body which keeps a register of health professionals meeting its standards for training, professional skills, behaviour and health. Currently, 13 professions are registered including arts therapists.' Anna van der Gaag is the chair of the HPC, have look at the HPC blog for HPC's take on latest developments.

HPC Watchdog - 'Watching the HPC to protect the public’s liberty.'

Professional bodies

BACP on Statutory Regulation - 'BACP continued to favour statutory regulation in principle but believe the current proposals are not 'fit for purpose'.'

BPS on Statutory Regulation - Statutory regulation for psychologists was introduced on 1 July 2009 and the Health Professions Council (HPC) Register of practitioner psychologists opened.

IPN on Statutory Regulation - IPN is 'committed to defending freedom of practice, and to creating a culture of openness and challenge. The Network grows out of the belief that no centralised organisation has the right or the ability to decide who should practise therapy, facilitation or equivalent skills.'

UKCP on Statutory Regulation - 'UKCP has always advocated statutory regulation as a mechanism to protect the public interest and to give psychotherapy professional recognition and responsibility, as well as to unite the profession.'

Cross modality opposition to HPC regulation

The Alliance for Counselling and Psychotherapy - Against State Regulation - A host of reports, articles and links can be found under ‘Resources’.

Practitioners’ Views on Regulation

Many practitioners have expressed their views about HPC regulation and related issues. One of the resources where you can search for letters and articles from practitioners is the home page of Therapy Today. You may have a look for, amongst others, Janet Garner, Paul McGahey, David Murphy, Andy Rogers, Pete Sanders, Barbara Shannon, Brian Thorne and Steve Cox.

Articles by Practitioners on Regulation and Related Subjects

Revisioning Regulation by Guy Gladstone, December 2009.

End of an Era by Barbara Shannon - Article originally published in Therapy Today, October 2009.

‘Dare We Do Away With Professionalism?’ Why the person-centred approach is opposed to the state regulation of the psychological therapies by Andy Rogers - Article originally published in Therapy Today, May 2009.

Notes on the Increasing Access to the Psychological Therapies Programme by Paul McGahey & David Murphy - Article published in PCQ, August 2008.

Response to Proposals on Statutory Regulation by Paul McGahey - Article published in PCQ, August 2007.

Ahead of His Time: Carl Rogers on 'Professionalism', 1973 by Richard House - Article published inIpnosis, Summer 2002.