Building strong foundations: my first year as UKCP chair

As I embark on my second year as chair, I’ve been invited to reflect on the challenges and successes of my first year and share my thoughts on our future direction to ensure the continued strengthening of UKCP. As an integrative psychotherapist who began her therapy career over 20 years ago, my journey has not always followed a traditional route, but it has allowed me to successfully lead national psychotherapy organisations in executive and trustee positions. It has taught me that you cannot stand still, that evolution is always necessary.

Our organisation is unique, rooted in the commitment to public protection and the inclusion of all psychotherapy modalities, a principle established at the Rugby conferences starting in 1982. However, like other organisations, the key components of strategy, governance and culture are crucial for our development in today’s world.

This year

The chair’s role is to navigate these complexities alongside the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers and members. This has involved shaping our first UKCP strategy, setting up and sponsoring the governance working group, the statutory regulation working group and facilitating the Board of Trustees’ development as a team settling into their roles. The emergence of the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB) promises to amplify the collective voice of counselling and psychotherapy in society, and I’ve been honoured to represent UKCP on the first Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy, a direct voice to government. We must build on this coalition voice over the next year, while holding true to our own direction, maintaining our independence, purpose and values. 

This first year has undoubtedly been foundational, focusing on embedding systems, policy and governance, which is long overdue. It has also been about building relationships within UKCP and the sector, collective ownership and managing multiple threads – it’s not a role that allows for a just single focus.

Moving forward

This foundational work will now enable us to concentrate on key areas moving forward: strengthening connections between members on the ground and governance structures to ensure greater discussion, fostering belonging and inclusivity by developing the culture and embedding systems, seeking greater collaboration and a clearer path for member contribution and influence. 

We must also now refocus on quality: standards, safeguarding, complaints, research and ethics. These are fundamental to a ‘light touch’ regulator and with SCoPEd now firmly established in the sector, we can’t afford to fall behind as others advance quickly. This is not only crucial to maintaining our Professional Standards Authority (PSA) registration, but also in demonstrating our value to existing and prospective members. 

This year has been both challenging and rewarding. I’ve learned to pace myself, reflect and encourage colleagues to contribute their passions. There is never enough time, so understanding priorities is key and as we build the new senior leadership team, we also need to recalibrate our time and effort to support them in their roles. I’ve also come to appreciate the importance of incremental progress, as it builds lasting change.

I want us to lead with vision, care and consideration for all colleagues, collectively strengthening the reputation, value to members, standards and culture of UKCP, while maintaining a clear line of sight to the public.  

Warmly, Pippa

Pippa Donovan
UKCP chair