Statutory regulation

Statutory regulation is a form of regulation created through legislation. It typically involves a protected professional title, legal powers to set standards and statutory authority to investigate concerns and restrict or remove the right to practise. 

Psychotherapy and counselling are not currently statutorily regulated in the UK. Instead, regulation operates through a voluntary system, overseen by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Under this system, professional bodies such as UKCP hold PSA Accredited Registers, setting standards for training, ethics and professional conduct procedures for practitioners who choose to join registers. 

While the voluntary system provides important safeguards, it also has limits. Practitioners are not required to join a PSA Accredited Register, meaning some practise without meeting agreed professional standards or being subject to independent oversight. Where practitioners are registered, there are checks and balances in place, including information sharing between Accredited Registers and requirements to disclose relevant complaints or disciplinary history. However, regulatory powers within the voluntary system are more restricted than under statutory regulation, which can limit the ability to prevent unsafe practitioners from continuing to practise outside of voluntary regulatory system. This can make it harder for the public to understand who is regulated, what protections apply and where accountability sits. This context underpins UKCP’s approach to statutory regulation and our parallel work to strengthen the voluntary system. 

UKCP’s position on statutory regulation 

UKCP has developed a set of principles designed to safeguard the public and strengthen confidence in the psychotherapy profession. We will support statutory regulation where it demonstrably meets these principles. 

This position:

• sets out the conditions under which UKCP would support statutory regulation
• does not advocate for a specific model
• does not assume statutory regulation will happen. 

Only the UK government can introduce statutory regulation and there is currently no formal timetable. 

Why a principles-based approach 

Feedback from members and stakeholders showed strong support for public protection. It also raised concerns about overmedicalisation, accessibility and the diversity of psychotherapy modalities. 

A principles-based approach allows UKCP to:

• centre public protection as the primary purpose of regulation
• protect the integrity and diversity of psychotherapeutic practice
• support fair, proportionate regulation that doesn’t create any unnecessary barriers
• engage clearly and consistently with policymakers and partners. 

The principles describe what good regulation would need to achieve, rather than setting out a detailed regulatory model UKCP would support. This provides clarity while allowing flexibility as policy discussions evolve. 

Strengthening the current voluntary system 

Alongside the work on statutory regulation, UKCP has agreed a set of voluntary enhancements - practical improvements to standards, processes and information within the existing Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Voluntary Accredited Register system. 

These enhancements focus on what can be strengthened now within the existing voluntary framework. Together, they aim to improve consistency, transparency, safeguarding and public understanding across the voluntary system.