Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce legislation to regulate the qualifications and training of psychotherapists and counsellors.

The Government has no plans to extend professional regulation to psychotherapists or counsellors.

Statutory regulation should only be considered where the risks to public and patient protection cannot be addressed in other more proportionate ways (such as through employer oversight or accredited voluntary registration).

Any employed health or care practitioner, whether regulated or unregulated, will be subject to employer checks. Depending on the role they perform, in particular if their role brings them in contact with vulnerable people, this may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check in England or Wales or the equivalent check from Disclosure Scotland or Disclosure Northern Ireland.

The Professional Standards Authority currently accredits 10 voluntary registers relating to psychotherapy and counselling and covering approximately 50,000 talking therapy professionals.

We urge anyone seeking the services of a psychotherapist or counsellor to take the time to find a reputable, insured and appropriately qualified practitioner.