Regulating psychotherapists
For counselling to be effective, a trusted relationship between counsellor and client is key. It’s important that clients know what they can expect from counselling and that their therapist adheres to a code of conduct through membership of a professional body. I am with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and am also insured. However, not all counsellors are members of a professional body and I’d advise anyone seeking psychological support to research the academic background of their therapist, that they are accredited by an awarding body and are members of a recognised professional body. Increasingly, there is an awareness that the our profession might benefit from further regulation to prevent potentially serious harm to clients of unregulated, amateur therapists.