Additional Guardian articles & text were added to this text on 9th November 2024. JE
Declaration of interest :
I, Julia Evans, have been involved in inputting into the Government on matters to do with the practice of counselling & psychotherapy, since 2000. I have done so from the position of a practicing Lacanian, after Jacques Lacan. Since its formation in 2008, I have been a participating member of the Alliance and been a part of many campaigns to retain these many different practices separate from those based in medicine.
Background
On 19th October there were 3 articles published in the Guardian, supporting a move to Statutory Regulation of Counsellors and Psychotherapists – links below. 25th October 2024 a selection of letters were published, including one from John Fletcher who is a psychoanalyst and member of the Psychoanalytic Unit, University College, London University and supports retaining diversity. On 30th October 2024, a letter from Andrew Samuels Psychotherapist, Professor, Activist and Writer & participating member of the Alliance.
On 24th October 2024 three texts by Patrick Strudwick were published in the i-news again calling urgently for statutory regulation.
The Alliance’s Statement against Statutory Regulation (November 2024)
https://allianceblogs.wordpress.com/2024/11/02/statement-on-statutory-regulation-november-2024/
Please circulate this link as widely as possible. It is important.
Link to Alliance tweet:
https://x.com/alliance4cp/status/1853018548374753464?s=46
The Guardian texts
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19th October 2024 -a
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/19/when-therapy-goes-wrong-the-problem-of-underqualified-psychotherapists
When therapy goes wrong: the problem of underqualified practitioners
In the age of influencer therapists and mental health apps, experts say the public need to be better informed
Rachel Hall
Sat 19 Oct 2024 06.00 BST
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19th October 2024 b
All psychotherapists in England must be regulated, experts say, after abuse claims rise
Exclusive: Lack of formal oversight means anyone can set up in practice and continue to work after misconduct cases, campaigners say
Rachel Hall
Sat 19 Oct 2024 06.00 BST Last modified on Fri 1 Nov 2024 12.44 GMT
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19th October 2024 c
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/19/i-was-completely-vulnerable-woman-tells-of-alleged-abuse-by-counsellor
‘I was completely vulnerable’: woman tells of alleged abuse by ‘counsellor’
Sarah says she would have found it easier to file a complaint had therapy been better regulated
Rachel Hall
Sat 19 Oct 2024 06.00 BSTLast modified on Sat 19 Oct 2024 06.02 BST
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25th October 2024 Letters
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/25/good-psychotherapists-will-welcome-statutory-regulation#:~:text=Registrants%20of%20a%20PSA%2Daccredited,government%20and%20the%20psychotherapeutic%20professions.
Good psychotherapists will welcome statutory regulation
Philippa Smethurst thinks regulation will give the profession greater standing, while Sue
Lieberman says the issue is more complex with counselling. Plus letters from Allison
Alexander and John Fletcher (JE recommends Fletcher’s letter)
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30th October 2024 Andrew Samuels’ letter
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/30/why-i-would-counsel-against-statutory-regulation-of-psychotherapists
Regulation of psychotherapists
To proceed would divide a profession that has only recently found a fragile unity via the Professional Standards Authority, writes Prof Andrew Samuels
Letters Guardian
Wed 30 Oct 2024 18.15 GMT
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9th November 2024 a
MPs urge government to regulate UK psychotherapists and counsellors
MPs with experience in mental health say lack of statutory regulation leaves people vulnerable to harm
Rachel Hall
Sat 9 Nov 2024 06.00 GMT
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https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/09/readers-share-bad-therapy-counselling-experiences
‘A therapist shouldn’t be giving you hugs’: readers share bad counselling experiences
From inappropriate behaviour to encouraging patients to stop medication, reckless therapists can cause real damage
Rachel Hall
Sat 9 Nov 2024 06.00 GMT
More than 100 people got in touch with the Guardian to share their concerns about therapists – Downloaded 9th November 2024. NOTE, this sentence was removed by Sunday 10th November at 4pm.
The i-news texts
24th October 2024 a
https://inews.co.uk/news/therapists-struck-off-sex-patients-practising-3331882
Rogue therapists struck off for sex with patients are still practising
Investigation
The i Paper’s investigation has discovered therapists banned for serious misconduct are still offering services to vulnerable clients.
It has prompted calls for urgent regulation
By Patrick Strudwick
Special Correspondent
October 24, 2024 4:50 pm (Updated October 25, 2024 8:50 am)
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24th October 2024 b
https://inews.co.uk/news/sex-drugs-drunk-work-unregulated-therapy-3331900
Sex with patients, drugs and drunk at work: ‘Wild West’ world of unregulated therapy
Investigation
Therapists struck off for serious misconduct, including the sexual exploitation of vulnerable clients, are still operating
By Patrick Strudwick
Special Correspondent
October 24, 2024 4:57 pm (Updated 6:11 pm)
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24th October 2024 c
https://inews.co.uk/news/gp-struck-off-sex-surgery-therapist-3332148
GP struck off for having sex in his surgery is working as a therapist with new name
Exclusive
An investigation by The i Paper into the unregulated world of therapy discovered Dr Thomas Plimmer, who was dubbed the ‘Dirty Doc’ and banned from being a medic after sexual misconduct allegations, is now working as a therapist
By Patrick Strudwick
Special Correspondent
October 25, 2024 6:00 am (Updated 11:11 am)
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25th October 2024 i-news
Alastair Campbell: Rogue therapists are a danger to patients – the laws we need
Exclusive
Alastair Campbell joins Ruby Wax, Dr Ranj Singh and MPs from all main parties calling for the Government to act after The i Paper exposed how therapists struck off for serious misconduct are still seeing vulnerable patients
By Patrick Strudwick
Special Correspondent
October 25, 2024 2:00 pm (Updated October 27, 2024 11:24 am)
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A letter has been sent from within the Alliance to the i-news on 2nd November 2024. It has not been acknowledged.
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