Professional bodies representing counsellors and psychotherapists have issued a unified call for statutory regulation in the UK, describing the move as a watershed moment for the sector. A new report argues that ministers must introduce legal oversight to safeguard the public from abuse and malpractice, highlighting that unlike doctors, midwives, and osteopaths, the titles of counsellor and psychotherapist are not currently protected or regulated by statute.
Under the existing system, anyone can claim to be a therapist without qualifications, and individuals found guilty of misconduct may continue to practice. The report, which concludes an independent review launched in October 2025, suggests that regulation is essential to boost public confidence and address a growing number of abuse cases. It posits that regulated practitioners could serve as an untapped resource to fill a mental health treatment gap affecting approximately 1.8 million people on waiting lists, with the profession possessing enough capacity to provide over 370,000 additional therapy hours weekly.
Phil Hope, co-chair of the Commission and a former Labour minister for care services, described the findings as a landmark opportunity for the government to unlock the potential of the profession. The report cites the testimony of Ella Janneh, who successfully sued her therapist for rape and sexual assault in 2024, as evidence of the devastating impact of the current lack of oversight. Janneh noted that her abuser remains able to practice despite the civil court outcome, arguing that statutory regulation is necessary to prevent repeat offenders from operating without supervision.
Andrea Sutcliffe, the report's other co-chair and former chief executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, emphasized that counselling involves complex interventions requiring years of training, often delivered in one-on-one settings with vulnerable individuals. She argued that patients should not be expected to vet practitioners as they would for a surgeon or cardiologist, noting that the current lack of regulation fuels mistrust and hinders access to care. Sutcliffe added that statutory oversight would establish clear standards for education and training while improving diversity within the field.
The report also addresses the need for a stronger evidence base to support public commissioning and investment, as well as the necessity of professional guardrails regarding the growing use of AI in mental health support. Hope warned that without regulation, people may access totally unregulated services, urging the profession to accelerate its response. Political and industry leaders have responded positively; Labour MP Sojan Joseph pledged to raise the issue in parliament, while representatives from the UK Council for Psychotherapy and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy welcomed the move, stressing that any new system must be developed with practitioners and those with lived experience.
Sources: The Guardian World.