There is a lack of understanding about the role of voluntary registration in regulating people practicing psychotherapy (MPs call on government to regulate psychotherapists and counselors in the UK, 9 October). The British Council for Psychotherapy’s register of psychotherapists and psychotherapy counselors is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and only includes practitioners who meet our rigorous standards. standardadhere to robust training requirements, Ethical and professional standards.
For the small number of clients who are dissatisfied with the service they receive from a registered practitioner, we have clear and effective processes in place to manage and investigate complaints. We investigate cases where there is evidence that calls into question a therapist’s registration status. UKCP also accredits training organizations that adhere to high educational standards and training.
The growing number of stories about fraudulent unregistered practitioners is shocking and highlights the importance of everyone checking whether a practitioner is registered with a PSA-accredited registrar when looking for a therapist. has been. While we believe our register provides a high level of security for the public, UKCP is committed to working with the government and campaigners like Ella Janet to better protect the public and keep society safe. We remain open to exploring the benefits of legal regulation for psychotherapists. Reputation of the profession.
John Levett
chief executive officer, British Council for Psychotherapy
Your article on bad therapy (‘Therapists shouldn’t give hugs’: readers share bad counseling experiences, theguardian.com, November 9) shows that practitioners have issues with boundaries. It correctly warns the reader of the warning signs that may be present. It would be great if there was one body that officially licensed and regulated this profession.
The difficulty is that those who themselves need help are very likely to deceive themselves that they can help others. And unfortunately, transference, the mechanism by which a person’s belief systems and fantasies are seen by the therapist, identified by Freud, is at the heart of every positive relationship as well as every destructive one. It is this mechanism that causes the most damage.
But unless we have proper regulation and oversight, these disasters will continue. Still, they are a minority. I’ve had one or two bad GPs, but I haven’t avoided them all since.
Stephanie Kalman
london
