An independent commission has called for the profession to be regulated. Jacky Grainger is the chairperson of Irish Association of Humanistic andIntegrative Psychotherapy. She says personal therapy and supervised practice have been the foundation of training.
Not all psychotherapists and counsellors want statutory regulation. Legalising titles does not eradicate malpractice. It may even hide abuse behind professional status. We need to examine ethical conduct of organisations providing healthcare.
Statutory regulation is long overdue, but should be accompanied by greater scrutiny. People seek sports therapy for pain management and rehabilitation. Voluntary registers provide reassurance, but cannot prevent unregistered, inadequately qualified individuals using the title.
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