BACP Find a Therapist
BACP Find a Therapist: The Role of Professional Bodies
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is a professional body for psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.
There are several professional and registering bodies in most countries. This can create confusion when researching potential therapists and evaluating their credentials.
You need to look out for two types of professional organisations:
Those involved in promoting a profession or professional group
Those responsible for registering or licencing practitioners
The BACP belongs to both groups. This organisation is concerned with maintaining professional standards and related activities which range from promoting a profession to commenting on key health and social issues. These organisations tend to be non-profit and sometimes registered charities.
However, the BACP also accredits therapists. An accredited therapist is deemed to have met the requirements for the professional skills prescribed by this body. 'Accredited therapist' is a common term used across organisations. However, you will also come across terms such as 'registered' or ‘licenced'.
In the UK, other major organisations for talking therapists include:
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): Registering body
Association of Clinical Psychologists (ACP): Standards and promotion
British Psychological Society (BPS): Standards and promotion
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP): Standards and promotion
So, you need to ask a practitioner about their registering/licencing/accreditation body and their professional body. This may all be wrapped up in one organisation.
The difference between all these organisations tends to involve the types of talking therapists they encompass. The BACP, for example, cover counsellors and psychotherapists. the ACP represents Clinical Psychologists.
What's the difference between these groups? It's confusing, so here are some articles to help:
Be Cautious
Therapy is not for everyone. It is not the only solution to psychological distress.
We strongly encourage you to seek professional support for serious mental health issues. But, there are many 'therapeutic' options for less severe difficulties. Experienced, professional therapists should let you know when formal treatment is unnecessary.
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Our team at The Practical Psychologist are all HCPC-registered psychologists. The HCPC is responsible for licencing practitioner psychologists and art therapists. In addition, each of us is a member of a professional body (promoting good standards of practice, promotion, and engagement with society).
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