Why become a BACP media spokesperson?
Engaging with the media helps raise the profile of our members, BACP as an organisation, and the counselling professions in general. It means we can share the message that counselling changes lives with a public audience. Media opportunities give you a platform to talk about your work, share your knowledge, and help normalise therapy - breaking down stereotypes, stigma and misconceptions. Ultimately, this directs more people towards our members’ services.
Mental health is frequently in the news, but positive messages about counselling can get lost in the wider conversation. We’re working hard to change this. Your voice can be powerful in promoting the benefits of counselling and encouraging people to seek support from qualified registered therapists.
While being a media spokesperson is a voluntary role, we hope you will benefit through positive media coverage, publicity and the opportunity to develop new skills.
What does it involve?
When we get requests for a comment or interview, we use our network of spokespeople to identify the most appropriate person to respond. This could involve you speaking to a journalist on the phone for a national newspaper piece, answering questions via email for an online article, or being interviewed on live radio or TV. You might also speak to a researcher to give insight into therapy for a book or documentary.
You’re under no obligation to take part. If you’re too busy, it’s an inconvenient time or it’s on a subject you’re not comfortable talking about, just let us know and we’ll contact someone else.
We never give out your details to journalists without your permission, and we’re on hand to help you where needed.
As a BACP media spokesperson, you act as an ambassador for the counselling professions and must uphold the ethical and professional standards we expect. To join our list, you’ll sign our media spokesperson form and agree to simple terms around confidentiality, conduct, and ethical principles.
Mentioning BACP
As a media spokesperson you'll be talking about your professional experience and expertise as a therapist. Where we need an organisational representative to give BACP’s view on an issue, we put forward one of our leadership team, senior staff or trustees.
We hope you share similar aims to us for media coverage, of promoting counselling, the benefits of counselling and BACP members. We ask journalists that they refer to you as one of our members but, of course, they can mention your own practice or role too. By mentioning BACP, it helps to promote the value of a being a member and reinforce the message to potential clients that they should look for a BACP therapist.
Even if enquiries come through to you directly from journalists, we’d appreciate you asking them to mention that you’re a BACP member and recommending that potential clients look for a BACP therapist. If you’re listed on our therapist directory, it’s worth mentioning that too.
How do I become a media spokesperson?
If you’re interested in joining our network, please email us at media@bacp.co.uk. We’ll send you further guidance and ask you to complete an online form. We'll also ask you to agree to some simple terms and conditions around the principles of the ethical framework, confidentiality and conduct.
Media spokespeople and conduct proceedings
As a BACP spokesperson you have an important role as an ambassador for the counselling professions, representing the high ethical and professional standards we expect from all our members.
If you become subject to professional conduct proceedings with BACP or another professional body, we’ll need to remove you from our media spokesperson database while these are ongoing. We'll review this once the proceedings are completed.
If allegations are upheld against you, we'll need to decide whether we can continue to put you forward for media opportunities and, if so, what the nature of these opportunities might be. The communications team will make this decision based on our professional judgement as PR and media professionals. We'll consider each case individually, depending on nature of the ethical breach, the sanctions imposed and the potential reputational risk to yourself and BACP. We’re conscious that media exposure could result in your conduct history being shared publicly by the complainant.
We'll discuss this with you so you’re clear how it impacts your role as a media spokesperson. Ultimately, the decision whether we can put you forward for media enquiries lies with us.