This year, with the economic climate more challenging than ever, we were particularly keen  to recognise those at the forefront of making counselling more accessible for the public and clients, and those who have carried out excellent research within the field. The quality of the submissions were extremely high, and our congratulations and thanks go out to all those who submitted their work.

Speaking at the ceremony, BACP President Mike Shooter said:

"These were just the tip of an enormous iceberg of talent and wonderful practice who all deserve prizes"

The winners

Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education's BSL Counselling Service won the award for Improving Access to Counselling and Psychotherapy - Communicating the Benefits, for its publicity campaign.

Two winners, the Hospice in the Weald, in Maidstone, Kent, and the Brunel University Counselling (BUCS), Uxridge, were announced for the Improving Access to Counselling and Psychotherapy - Adapting Services award.

The Outstanding Research award was won by Katherine McArthur, PhD student at Strathclyde University, for her pilot randomised control trial of school-based humanistic counselling for psychological distress in young people.