United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy Replies to the questionnaire on psychologists and clinical psychologists

A. Structure of the Profession

Question n°1.
There is a profession of psychotherapists, which is practised by psychologists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, other mental health professionals, and by therapists.

Question n°2.
The profession of adult psychotherapy is voluntarily regulated. The largest register, which includes therapists of all backgrounds, is maintained by the Registration Board of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. Other registers are maintained or being developed by the British Psychological Society, the Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies, the British Confederation of Psychotherapists, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (of medical psychotherapists). The following answers will only cover the work of the UKCP unless otherwise specified.

Question n°3.
Some hospitals have developed adult psychotherapist posts, but there are no mandatory restrictions on the appointments of these posts. The term ‘psychotherapists’ is not restricted

Question n°4.
Psychologists may train further as counselling psychologists or clinical psychologists. It is the position of the British Psychological Society, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and UKCP that a qualification as a counselling psychologist, as a clinical psychologist, or as a psychiatrist will involve a variable amount of training in psychotherapy, depending on the centre, and that none of these qualifications necessarily imply a qualification in psychotherapy.

Question n°5.
The funding of health services by social security reimbursements does not apply to the National Health Service. Psychotherapists who are neither psychologists nor psychiatrists may be employed by NHS providers, or may receive fees for patients that they see from purchasers under extra-contractual referral arrangements.

Question n°6.
UKCP represents the larger part of the professioni and is the only representative of psychotherapists who are neither psychoanalysts, nor psychologists, nor psychiatrists.

Question n°7.
There is no recognised competent authority at the moment in adult psychotherapy. The competent authority for child psychotherapy, the Association for Child Psychotherapy, is a member of UKCP.

B. Structure of Education and Training

Question n°1.
UKCP requires psychotherapy training to be at postgraduate level, that candidates are personal suitable for training, and that they adhere to codes of ethics and practice (enclosed).

Question n°2.
An introductory year, followed by 3-4 years of Masters level training. Some organisations require further training before candidates can become supervisors or training therapists. Training involves supervised practice and, for many trainings, having a personal therapy.

Question n°3.
The training requirements of two Sections of UKCP (Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy) are enclosed. Courses are provided either by professional training institutes, or universities. The prospectus of a university course (the MSc in Group Psychotherapy of the University of Warwick) is also enclosed.