Professional Organisations
There are presently no statutory regulations governing the
practice of psychotherapy and counselling in the United Kingdom.
There are, however, three highly respected organisations which
accredit practitioners:
- The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) for
Registered Psychotherapists
- The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
(BACP) for Accredited Counsellors
- The British Psychological Society (BPS) for Chartered
Counselling Psychologists.
The School's programmes are designed to work to the standards of
these professional bodies.
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
The UKCP is an umbrella body representing over eighty
psychotherapy organisations of all theoretical orientations and
also special members such as the British Psychological Society and
the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Training organisations applying for membership must conform to
strict criteria. Graduates of member organisations may be eligible
for inclusion on the National Register of Psychotherapists
maintained by the UKCP. SPC is a full training and registering
member of UKCP.
Requirements for registration
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of four years' academic
and professional training at a post-graduate level;
- Personal psychotherapy with a UKCP registered psychotherapist
throughout the duration of such training;
- Regular supervised practice in a suitable clinical placement to
a minimum of 450 client contact hours.
Suitable candidates will then be entitled to apply for
Registration with UKCP through the School of Psychotherapy and
Counselling as an Integrative psychotherapist (ADIP) or via the
Society for Existential Analysis as an Existential psychotherapist
(ADEP).
UKCP
2nd Floor
Edward House,
2 Wakley Street,
London EC1V 7LT.
Telephone 0870 167 2131.
http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk
The British Psychological Society (BPS)
The BPS exists to promote the advancement of the study of
psychology and its applications and to maintain high standards of
professional education 
and conduct.
The Division of Counselling Psychology awards the Diploma in
Counselling Psychology to individuals who are then entitled to
automatic Chartered Psychologist Status
Becoming a BPS Chartered
Psychologist
Candidates who wish to become a BPS
Chartered Psychologist must have:
- the Graduate Basis for Registration for the BPS (normally
fulfilled by holding a UK honours degree in Psychology);
- completed the BPS Diploma in Counselling Psychology
Division of Counselling Psychology
BPS
St Andrews House
48 Princess Road East
Leicester LE1 7DR.
http://www.bps.org.uk
