Therapists to face statutory regulation

Psychotherapists, counsellors and psychological therapists are to be regulated by law for the first time, the government has announced.

The white paper on health regulation, published last week, says the professions will be regulated by the Health Professions Council, which regulates occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

The paper argues that counsellors and therapists carry “at least the same potential risk to people who use their services as that of the statutorily regulated professions”.

The British Association for Coun­selling and Psychotherapy welcomed the move. It said the public found it unacceptable that counselling, psychotherapy and psychology should be “practised beyond a framework of legally verified competence”.

● Trust, Assurance and Safety – The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century

Related articles
Mental health