BACP

BACP stands for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a professional membership body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. It publishes the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, which sets out standards its members agree to follow, and it runs a complaints procedure for clients who have concerns about a member's practice.

What it means

For someone looking for a counsellor, BACP matters mainly as a sign of accountability. Counselling is not a protected title in the UK, so in principle anyone can call themselves a counsellor. Belonging to a professional body such as BACP tells you that a practitioner has agreed to an ethical code, and that there is somewhere to turn if something goes wrong.

BACP also produces information for the public about what counselling is, the different types of therapy and how to choose a practitioner.

Where it comes from

The association has its roots in the British Association for Counselling, formed in the 1970s. It later added "Psychotherapy" to its name, reflecting how closely the two fields overlap. Over the years it has developed its ethical framework, membership categories and a register for qualified practitioners.

The current Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions sets out values, principles and personal qualities that members are expected to bring to their work. It covers areas such as putting clients first, working within your competence, keeping trust, and taking part in supervision.

Membership levels

BACP has several types of membership. Student membership is for people currently in counselling training. Individual membership and registered membership are for practitioners, with registration requiring a recognised qualification. BACP also offers accreditation for those who meet further requirements. Each level means something different, so it is reasonable to ask a counsellor which one they hold.

What it can look like in everyday life

Imagine you find a counsellor online and want to know whether they are bound by any ethical code. Checking whether they belong to a professional body such as BACP is one way to find out.

Or imagine you are living in Vienna and looking for an English-speaking counsellor based in the UK. You may wonder what standards apply when the sessions are online. Asking about professional membership, supervision and how complaints are handled gives you a clearer picture. The guide on whether a UK counsellor can see clients abroad goes into this.

A third example: you are from a family where seeing a counsellor feels risky, and you want to be sure your privacy will be respected. The BACP framework includes clear expectations about confidentiality, which you can ask about before you start.

In person-centred counselling

I am a trainee person-centred counsellor and a BACP student member, working under regular clinical supervision. That means I follow the BACP Ethical Framework, including its expectations on confidentiality, supervision and working within my competence. It also means I am not yet a qualified or registered member, and I say so openly.

Person-centred counselling is one of many approaches whose practitioners belong to BACP. The association itself does not favour one approach. It sets standards for how practitioners work, whatever their model.

You can read about my training on the about page and about fees, including limited low-cost places.

Related bodies

BACP is not the only professional body in the UK. The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society are others, and psychologists may be regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. Each has its own standards and register. Membership of one body is not better or worse in itself. What matters is that you know which code a practitioner follows.