BAPCA wishes to facilitate access to as much information as possible about the current move towards statutory regulation of the psychological therapies in the UK. The opinions expressed in the links and articles below, however, are from their respective authors and, unless stated otherwise, do not necessarily represent the views of the Association.

BAPCA in Action

Latest news:

Sharing the process:

At the 2010 AGM the membership voted to 'Assertively Oppose the Health Professions Council (HPC)' as a suitable regulator for Counselling and Psychotherapy and to 'Follow a Multi-track Approach to Regulation'. A working party has been set up to take this forward, aiming to be active on three tracks:

Track 1: Work as closely as possible with all parties involved in the HPC process;

Track 2: Work closely with other counselling & psychotherapy groups and organisations to encourage an exploration of Alternative Regulators/Alternative Practitioner Accountability Systems;

Track 3: Consider  how to support BAPCA members if they opt for Principled Non Compliance (PNC) and/or Alternative Practitioner Accountability (APA) should regulation by HPC go ahead.

If you would like to share your views about regulation or have any questions/comments, feel welcome to contact the working party at regulation@bapca.org.uk.

Past actions:

BAPCA Regulation Working Group's letter to Marc Seale, Chief Executive of the Health Professions Council - May 2010 > Reply Letter by Marc Seale

Coordinating Group's Response to BAPCA Members' Open Letter: The Future of the Person-Centred Approach in the UK and the Case against HPC and State Regulation

Results of BAPCA Survey on Statutory Regulation
BAPCA Coordinating Group presents the results of a survey carried out to identify members' views on the regulation of psychotherapy and counselling.  

BAPCA Report: Meeting with Shadow Health Minister, November 2009 - Allan Turner and Teresa Cosgrove represent BAPCA at the meeting in the Grand Committee Room at Westminster Palace called by Anne Milton, MP and Shadow Health Minister.

BAPCA Report - The regulation of psychotherapists and counsellors,  Stakeholder’s event in Manchester on 31 March 2009

BAPCA as a partner in the conference 'Psychological Therapies in the NHS: Science, Practice and Policy'  27 & 28 Nov 2008, London - Read BAPCA Report

Other Useful Links

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’.

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. 

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 in Ipnosis, Summer 2002.