Open petition: Regulate “Counsellor” and “Psychotherapist” as protected statutory titles

Created by Lucinda Brocklehurst
Closes on 18 March 2027

Introduce statutory regulation for counselling and psychotherapy, with protected titles for “Counsellor” and “Psychotherapist”. Anyone using these titles must meet statutory standards, register with an independent statutory regulator, and be subject to complaints and fitness-to-practise processes.

Faster access to therapy must develop alongside safety. People seeking counselling or psychotherapy may be distressed, isolated or in crisis. They shouldn't have to navigate unclear titles, voluntary registers and complex complaints routes alone. Protected titles would not prevent all malpractice, but could create clearer standards, support ethical practitioners and strengthen accountability when therapy causes harm. This matters as harm can be hard to report due to stigma, shame or disbelief.

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