Welcome from BACP
- Please select from the list below, the information to view to the right
- About BACP
- Aims and objectives
- Regulation Update
- Important updates on Regulation
- What is therapy?
- Andrew Reeves outlines his definition of what therapy is
- What to expect?
- Andrew Reeves provides an overview what you may expect
The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) is a membership organisation and a registered charity that sets standards for therapeutic practice and provides information for therapists, clients of therapy, and the general public.
As the largest professional body representing counselling and psychotherapy in the UK, BACP aim to increase public understanding of the benefits of counselling and psychotherapy, raise awareness of what can be expected from the process of therapy and promote education and/or training for counsellors and psychotherapists.
Read more about BACP's history and structure.
Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Proposals for Voluntary Registers
The draft set of proposals for the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) scheme to accredit voluntary registers was presented for consideration to the CHRE Council meeting on 15th November. These proposals can be found at CHRE.org.uk (PDF).
There are a number of areas in the paper that need more clarification, which will be explored more fully with the CHRE by the CEO and Director of Regulatory Policy.
Some of the standards and processes are becoming clearer. Further proposals are expected in the New Year.
BACP Definition of Counselling
Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms that cover a range of talking therapies. They are delivered by trained practitioners who work with people over a short or long term to help them bring about effective change or enhance their wellbeing.
Latest from BACP
- News
- Cataloguing the latest news, publications and opportunities
- In The Media
- Some of the latest media articles referencing counselling or BACP
- Events
- Listing the recently confirmed events near you
- Regulation
- Updates to the regulatory policies and associated events
- Web Design & Hosting
- Examples of some of our latest bespoke website designs
- CPD / Online Learning
- BACP's online cpd modules
- CPD Directory
- Providing a source of information on CPD opportunities from participating providers.
- Jobs Online
- The most recent counselling and therapy based jobs
- Therapy Today.net
- Visit the website for BACP's flagship journal
- CPR Web Portal
- Linking Research with Practice
- Downloads
- Our most popular downloadable content
- Bookstore
- A sample of our literature available to purchase
PRN for school-based counsellingResearch
BACP Ethical HelpdeskBACP Information
Therapy Today Journal BinderTherapy Today News
Hoax CallsBACP Information
BACP Publications Winter SaleNew Publications
Work with CHRERegulation Updates
View more counselling news
Barnardo’s Northern Ireland wins top innovation award for ‘Time 4 Me'BACP Press Release - 14th November 2011
My Sisters Place domestic violence service wins excellence awardBACP Press Release - 14th November 2011
BACP welcomes new investment but warns children deserve more than just a mental health labelBACP Press Release - 26th October 2011
BACP welcomes report on mental health of students but warns counselling services are threatenedBACP Press Release - 30 September 2011
Call for counsellors in all Scottish schoolsBBC News Online - 24 June 2011
BACP welcomes Health Service ReformBACP Press Release - 15 June 2011
View more counselling media
We are currently in the process of updating and improving our Events database. In the meantime please feel free to view the existing listings.
View more counselling events
Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Workshops
Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Work is continuing with CHRE / Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSAHSC). They have held six workshops between July and September. The workshops were on:
• Mitigating risk without statutory regulation
• Handling poor conduct and practice
• Ensuring buy in to assured voluntary registration by the public, employers, commissioners and registrants
• How high should the bar be set for accreditation?
• Review outputs of the workshops. What issues and suggestions have been made - what other factors should be considered - what conclusions might we draw
• Developing the Accreditation Criteria
Two further workshops are to be held on Risk and Impact Assessment which applicant registers will be required to carry out before applying for approval.
View more regulation
For as little as £7.20 per month BACP can offer you your own therapy website. Below are some of our latest member websites.
www.julietpearce.counselling.co.ukYou do not have to be in crisis, or have experienced a major life event to benefit from counselling.
www.features.counselling.co.ukCarol Place - Counsellor working in Nottingham City Centre and specialising in relationships and supporting individual members of step families.
www.mindfitness.co.ukKerry Mayes is a qualified counsellor & physical activity instructor who works in the coulsdon area, specialising in beating mental health and boosting physical activity.
www.chriswelch.counselling.co.ukChris Welch has over 18 years experience in Psychotherapy, Counselling, CBT & Life / Executive Coaching in Sapcote in Leicestershire.
www.janeandrews.counselling.co.ukJane Andrews is an experienced counsellor based in Bracknell who offers counselling and psychotherapy in Berkshire covering many issues of everyday life.
View more counselling websites
Confidentiality: Managing Client Confidences Course Author: Barbara Mitchels
Guidance on how to bring professional obligations to a close Course Author: Sally Despenser
Preparing for supervision and getting the most out of it Course Author: Sally Despenser
Psychopharmacology and counselling and psychotherapy Course Author: Rachel Freeth
Supervisors: how to support your supervisee through the Counsellor/Psychotherapist Accreditation Process Course Author: Patience O'Neill
The therapist's personal safety and care in the workplace Course Author: Sally Despenser
View more CPD
Developing Supervision Practice (Module 1) (BACP Endorsed) Lanarkshire - 23rd Jan 2012
Certificate in Supervision: Theory, Research Skills and Practice (BACP Endorsed) Essex - 25th Feb 2012
Online Group Therapy: Delivery, Research, Ethics and Design West Lothian - 12th Mar 2012
Introduction to Online Coaching: Methods, Ethics and Responsible Social Networking (BACP Endorsed) West Lothian - 2nd May 2012
Developing Supervision Practice (Module 3) (BACP Endorsed) Lanarkshire - 10th Sep 2012
View more from the CPD Directory
Please note: You must be a BACP member to view full job details.
Gambling Intervention Worker Closes: Jan 31, 2012
CounsellorCloses: Jan 27, 2012
Psychodynamic PsychotherapistCloses: Feb 8, 2012
Under 18's At Risk Youth CounsellorCloses: Jan 27, 2012
CounsellorCloses: Jan 27, 2012
Part-time CounsellorCloses: Feb 6, 2012
Mental Health Practitioner - 2 Posts (based In Cornwall)Closes: Feb 1, 2012
View more counselling jobs
Therapy Today.netTherapy Today is the flagship professional journal of BACP. It contains informative, authoritative articles on all aspects of counselling and psychotherapy, along with regular features such as a client, therapist and student column, news and latest research, professional conduct cases, book reviews and readers' letters.
Published ten times a year, Therapy Today is mailed out free of charge to every member of BACP.
Visit Therapy Today.net, for past articles and to read new features, written exclusively for the web.
View more issues of Therapy Today
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research journal's website, features digests of research papers, research news and advance information on the next issue of CPR. Exclusive to the site is an easy to navigate glossary of research terms, book reviews and specially commissioned content that helps practitioners link research with practice.
View more about the CPR Journal
BACP Ethical Framework unifies and replaces all the earlier codes for counsellors, trainers and supervisors
BACP Annual Review 2010 - 2011
Individual Application Form for inclusion in the Seeking a Therapist Directory
Website Application Form includes full package details, usage guidelines, terms & conditions, ordering details and a five-step guide to help you put your website together
Accreditation Application Criteria
View more downloadable content
Talking therapies: an essential anthology 2nd edition
Therapists in Court
Guidelines for telephone counselling and psychotherapy
Good practice guidance for counselling in schools 4th Edition
E1 - Practical aspects of setting up a counselling service
Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy Revised Edition