Counsellors and psychotherapists call for UK statutory regulation in ‘watershed moment’
Summary
An independent UK review urges the government to regulate counsellors and psychotherapists by law, saying the current voluntary system leaves the public exposed to misconduct. The report says statutory regulation could improve oversight and help make use of practitioners’ spare capacity amid long waits for mental health care.Key Facts
- The professional bodies representing counsellors and psychotherapists are calling for statutory regulation for the first time.
- In the UK, the titles “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” are not legally protected, and the professions are not statutorily regulated.
- The report says people can use these titles without qualifications and may continue practising after misconduct under the current system.
- The review estimates that about 1.8 million people are waiting for mental health treatment.
- The report estimates practitioners’ extra capacity could provide more than 370,000 additional therapy appointment hours each week.
- Ella Janneh, who won a civil case against her therapist for rape and sexual assault in 2024, supports statutory regulation; the report says her therapist can still practise.
- The report says the UK government opposed statutory regulation in 2011.
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