Press office
Information and advice for journalists and members

For journalists

If you're a journalist or programme maker, we can help with information, statistics and expert views about the profession and public attitudes towards mental health and counselling.

Spokespeople

Our media spokesperson network includes more than 150 practising therapists who can speak on a range of different issues. We can provide expert comment and insight on:

• mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia
• topical events which might impact on mental health, for example war, natural disasters, bereavement, violent crime
• issues in everyday life - such as within relationships or at work
• the profession - ethics, standards, policy, best practice, in person and online therapy, AI
• what are counselling and psychotherapy – who might need it, how does it help and what should people expect from it
• issues affecting a particular demographic, such as children and young people, racialised communities or LGBTQ+ people; or certain settings, such as the workplace or

To interview or receive comments from one of our spokespeople, please email us at media@bacp.co.uk.

Statistics

We have access to data on mental health and counselling that may help with news articles and features. We’re willing to work with journalists to share some of our unpublished statistics on an exclusive basis.

Our annual Public Perceptions Survey explores people’s experiences of therapy and mental health issues, as well as looking at factors that influence their mental health and wellbeing.

Our Mindometer survey of our members looks at key issues and trends that therapists are seeing in their therapy rooms. Previous findings have examined toxic masculinity, how AI and online influencers are impacting demand for mental health support, and the main reason clients are seeking therapy.

For further help with statistics on mental health and counselling, please email media@bacp.co.uk.

Counselling on screen

If you're making a drama or documentary programme that features counselling, we can help you portray our profession in an accurate, realistic and sensitive way.

Therapy frequently features on television and radio, reflecting a greater understanding of the effectiveness of counselling and a decrease in the stigma attached. However, there's a risk that ill-informed or insensitive coverage could leave viewers with a negative view and stop people who could benefit from seeking help. There are also important ethical considerations to showing participants engaged in a real-life therapeutic process.

For advice on portraying counselling on screen, please email media@bacp.co.uk.

For members

Join our spokesperson network

We're always looking for members to help us respond to media enquiries. It’s a great opportunity for you to share your expertise and see your name in local or national press, online or be featured on radio, tv or podcasts.

When we get requests for a comment or interview, we use our network of spokespeople to identify the most appropriate person to respond on behalf of BACP and the profession. We might ask you to comment on a topical issue or situation, take part in an interview or to provide some words for an article or book.

We have more information available on our media spokespeople page.

To join our spokesperson list, please email media@bacp.co.uk.

Approached by the media?

We're here to support you if you’ve been approached directly by a journalist or production company.  

A journalist may want to interview you or receive a written comment. A production company may want your feedback on ideas or to arrange to film you.

We can guide you through the process of liaising with the media to ensure you’re supported and can represent the profession in the best way possible.

For support from our press office, if you’ve been approached by the media, please email media@bacp.co.uk.

Spreading the word

Our Spreading the word section in Therapy Today highlights members’ media appearances every month. If you’ve been featured in press, online or broadcast media and want to let us know so we can feature you in it, please email media@bacp.co.uk.

Latest news from BACP

Read the latest news and press releases from BACP.