State Regulation

Here UKAHPP is posting regular updates on the move towards state regulation of psychotherapy and counselling, briefings on its potential impact on the profession and specific issues for humanistic practitioners, and information about opportunities to get involved.

If state regulation is all new to you, have a look at this short background first.

Latest on State Regulation and Humanistic Psychology (October 2008)
This article summarises the latest developments and issues.

Some pros and cons of State Regulation

One AHPP member's response to the Government 'Call for Ideas' on state regulation
(please send us your own response to the Call for Ideas - and/or your views on state regulation. This will help inform the AHPP Board. We will not publish what you send without first asking your permission.

Professional Liaison Group
The HPC is setting up a Professional Liaison Group (PLG), which will include 'experts' - i.e. those who know about counselling and psychotherapy (because the HPC doesn't), and you may want to volunteer yourself in this capacity. Details of the PLG are not yet on the HPC website, but will be soon - check regularly at www.hpc-uk.org.

More on the threat to 'humanistic'
This Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body briefing outlines the mismatch between this diverse profession and the proposed state regulation.
The Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy Section (HIPS) of UKCP briefing identifies inequities which are marginalising and excluding humanistic practitioners.

What UKAHPP is doing
UKAHPP is attending all HIPS and UKCP meetings on this subject and arguing strongly for the retention of the humanistic title and recognition of the humanistic tradition. See the letter from the Chair of UKAHPP Board to HIPS calling for stronger action. See also an account by Derek Lawton, UKAHPP rep to UKCP. Tricia Scott, UKAHPP member emeritus, is on the Political Group of HIPS negotiating on state regulation. In a recent issue of Transformations journal she argues strongly for the recognition of the humanistic tradition and Guy Gladstone, another UKAHPP member, argues against state regulation.

Action you can take
attend a meeting on state regulation to give your view
sign a petition calling upon the Government to halt the state regulation process and think again - and please include AHPP as your organisation.
write directly to your MP to ensure the humanistic tradition is recognised and included using the template letter provided here. Some UKAHPP members have already done this and several MPs have said they will raise the matter with the Department of Health. Find out who your MP is by clicking on www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/

Other links and information
For a report of 31st May forum, see Transformations Spring 2008 at www.pcsr.org.uk/publications
For more on State Regulation, see Self & Society July-August 2008 at www.ahpb.org.uk
UKCP - www.psychotherapy.org.uk
BACP - www.bacp.co.uk
Health Professions Council - www.hpc-uk.org
Independent Practitioners Network - www.ipnosis.postle.net