Protect Therapy Users

31/05/2026

Many people assume "therapist" is a legally protected title.

It isn't.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's own Public Perceptions Survey found that nearly half of people believe "therapist" is a regulated title like doctor or midwife, and two in five are unsure about regulation around counsellors and psychotherapists.

The reality is that a therapist may be on a voluntary register. They may be a member of a professional body. They may follow an ethical framework. But that is not the same as statutory regulation.

Therapy users deserve clear, plain-language information before they trust someone with their mental health.

Source: BACP Public Perceptions Survey 2026
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/about-bacp/bacp-public-perceptions-survey/

30/05/2026

Many people assume that counsellors and psychotherapists are regulated in the same way as other healthcare professions. In reality, the system is largely voluntary. As the Guardian noted here:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/15/voluntary-registers-and-regulation-in-psychotherapy

More recent comments from Jon Levett, CEO of UKCP, acknowledge significant gaps in public protection, including the ability of practitioners removed from accredited registers to continue practising under unprotected titles.

https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/news/ukcp-ceo-calls-for-stronger-public-protection-in-counselling-and-psychotherapy/

As demand for therapy grows, so does the importance of ensuring that therapy users can have confidence in the qualifications, accountability and oversight of those providing care.

UKCP CEO Dr Jon Levett presented evidence to the Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy and urged the sector to consider stronger measures to protect the public. 

29/05/2026

This page supports a UK campaign calling for clearer safeguards in therapy.

If this matters to you, you can support here:
👉

Legislate to make ‘Counsellor’ and ‘Psychotherapist’ protected titles regulated by the HCPC. The Government should also review how this could include influencers and life coaches offering mental health services, ensuring all are subject to mandatory fitness-to-practise oversight.