A gathering: connecting UKCP practitioners across Scotland

On Saturday, 17 October, members from across Scotland came together in Glasgow for ‘A gathering: connecting UKCP practitioners across Scotland’, a day of learning, discussion and connection. The event was organised by our members forum representatives for Scotland, Margot Kirkland and Mary MacCallum Sullivan.

Bethan France, UKCP’s director of membership, opened the day with a welcome. Dr Sandy Wotton then gave a keynote presentation, ‘Victims of Circumstance: Fairbairn’s Paradox’. It sparked thoughtful discussion, followed by a lively question-and-answer session with Dr Wotton and Margot Kirkland.

A key aim of the day was to give psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors space to connect and explore the realities of practice in Scotland today. In small groups, attendees shared experiences and discussed current challenges and opportunities. They also identified information and research needs, and reflected on emerging issues affecting the profession.

After lunch, Mary MacCallum Sullivan led a session called ‘UKCP in Scotland: past, present and future’. She invited participants to reflect on how our activity in Scotland has developed and where we could strengthen engagement and support in the years ahead.

The afternoon discussion turned to Scotland’s changing policy landscape and what it could mean for mental health services. Participants discussed recent proposals for health service reform, including the Scottish government’s plans to reduce Scotland’s 14 NHS boards to two, one covering the east and one the west. They also considered calls from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland to put mental health at the centre of reform.

Working in small groups, attendees explored what these changes could mean for psychotherapy services, workforce development, access to care and patient outcomes. They discussed what UKCP could advocate for as reforms develop. Suggestions included:

• greater recognition of the role of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors in multidisciplinary services
• better access to psychological therapies
• stronger representation of the profession in policy discussions
• a commitment to making sure service redesign reflects the needs of patients and practitioners.

The session produced a range of ideas and priorities. These will help shape our role in Scotland, how we support members there and how we contribute to wider discussions about the future of mental health services.

There was real enthusiasm for building stronger connections between practitioners across Scotland and creating more chances to share knowledge and experience. Attendees also wanted future activity to reflect the needs of members and the wider psychotherapy community.

Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed so openly to the discussions. Thank you also to the Scotland planning group for helping to bring the event together.

This event is part of our pilot programme of regional events run by our members forum representatives. We currently have vacancies for representatives in Northern Ireland, Wales, the Midlands and east England, south-east England and south-west England. If you’d like to help bring members together in your area, find out more about the role.