Does your therapist use a foodbank?

Seems like a lifetime ago that the progressive minded people of the therapy world met at #NationalCounsellorsDay2024 organised by the largest network of therapists in the UK Counsellors Together UK (CTUK). From wage-theft to class in the consulting room we talked about actual money. That this happened at all has something to do with the fact that more people working in mental health are viscerally aware of the massive inequalities on both sides of the therapeutic relationship. It’s no longer weird to talk about whether your therapist is earning a living wage, or anything at all come to that. Or whether it should bother you if your therapist is accessing a food bank.

A few years ago, CTUK reached out to our local MPs to raise awareness about the issue of unpaid work in our profession. With many new MPs who may not be aware of this important issue, it's a great opportunity to bring it back to their attention. CTUK has drafted a new letter to send to your MP - would you be willing to join us by sending this letter to your local MP/MPS?

People who work in mental health do not generally believe in fairy stories or happy ever afters. New governments only work if we make them. So, even if you’re on that rare thing called an actual holiday right now please take the time to remind your MP that paying actual money to actual therapists is still a fantasy yet to be realised. And that its important to use whatever moment of democratic process we’re now in to talk about that.

Whether you’re a counsellor, or you or someone you love has therapy and you want to support the sustainability of therapeutic services please help us.

Please email your MP about the problem of unpaid work in therapy.

You can find your MP’s contact information here: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons. Please remember to include your name and address when contacting them, as they require this to respond.

LETTER 👇

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, Postcode]

[Date]

[MP/MPS Name]

Your local constituency MP/MPS address

Dear [MP/MPS Name],

Subject: Addressing the Prevalence of Unpaid Work in the Counselling and Psychotherapy Profession

My name is [INSERT NAME]. I am a member of your local constituency and also a [qualified/trainee] counsellor/psychotherapist (delete as appropriate) / therapeutic patient/ concerned parent/ concerned professional/ concerned person.

I am writing to bring to your attention an urgent and deeply concerning issue within the counselling and psychotherapy profession: the pervasive culture of unpaid work. This issue not only undermines the financial stability of dedicated professionals but also impacts the quality and availability of mental health services in our communities.

The Cycle of Counsellor Exploitation

CTUK is the largest campaign group for counsellors in the UK, with over 10,000 members. It’s main aim is to end the culture and prevalence of unpaid work within our profession. The current system imposes a significant financial burden on counsellors and psychotherapists.

Here is a brief overview of the exploitation many face:

1. Counsellors invest thousands of pounds in their training, often accumulating debts exceeding £45,000. This includes course fees, insurance, mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, and membership fees.

2. During training, counsellors are required to complete at least 100 hours of face-to-face clinical work, typically through unpaid placements.

3. Placement providers, including private businesses, statutory services, and charities, rely on trainees to deliver their services. Trainees often bear the costs of supervision and travel, and sometimes even pay the organisation to work at these placements.

4. Upon completing their placements, many counsellors find no paid work available, as services continue to operate on the unpaid labour of new trainees.

5. Even post-qualification, counsellors are frequently expected to work unpaid to gain the 450 clinical hours required for accreditation by bodies such as the BACP, which can take several years.

6. This exploitation leads to alarming statistics: 30% of therapists see no future in the profession, 14% rely on income-based welfare benefits, and a significant number resort to using food banks.

Current Situation and Impact

Despite the critical role counsellors and psychotherapists play in mental health care, there has been little progress in addressing these issues. Many organisations benefit from unpaid labour, creating a system resistant to change. CTUK has had some success in campaigning to stop The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) from continuing to advertise unpaid work and in raising awareness with membership bodies about the impact on members' lives. However, more needs to be done. Volunteerism, while well-meaning, cannot provide the consistent and professional support that clients and patients need. Paid, professional counsellors bring expertise, continuity, and stability, which are crucial for effective support. They build lasting relationships, provide consistent care, and are trained to identify and manage a wide range of mental health issues.

Proposed Solutions

MPs/MSPs (delete as appropriate) need to consider this issue when planning the future of mental health services across the UK. For example, Scotland and Wales have implemented a policy where a paid counsellor is placed in every school. England should adopt a similar approach, as well as ensuring all staff in the development of any community based mental health hubs are also paid fairly for their time.

Supporting Organisations

CTUK is actively working to challenge and change the culture of unpaid work. You can learn more about their efforts here: www.ukcounsellors.co.uk.

Surviving Work conducts significant research with therapists to assess the financial landscape in the UK. Their research and advocacy provide valuable insights and recommendations. More information can be found here: www.thefutureoftherapy.org.

The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union is running two ongoing campaigns:

• Paid Work Campaign: Challenging the prevalence of voluntary therapist positions across sectors.

• Campaign for a Fair Deal for EAP Therapists

You can read more about these campaigns here: www.psychotherapyandcounsellingunion.co.uk/campaigns.

Conclusion

This ongoing issue is severely affecting counsellors and psychotherapists across the UK. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and explore potential solutions with you. Please feel free to contact me at the details above to arrange a meeting.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

To watch the videos of National Counsellors Day 2024, including Surviving Work talking about Professional Cannibalism you can go here.

To become a CTUK member click here.