Psychotherapy and Counselling Union

"The impact PCU has had on my life has been significant...More than anything, the union believed in me when at the most difficult points. They have a clear vision and intention and I was supported and protected because of this. They were unconditionally supportive of me as a member...have clear values, to be committed, knowledgeable, and empathic with the confidence to let the work unfold. I cannot thank them enough." - PCU Member 2017

A warm welcome to the Counselling and Psychotherapy Union from your PCU Executive Committee - Juliet, Jane, Jamie, Phil, Viviane, Richard, Robert, Andrew and Victoria.  

The constitution and purpose of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU) is to:

• bring together counsellors, psychotherapists and other practitioners from every corner of the field, including trainees on an equal basis
• campaign for true diversity and equal opportunities in the therapy world, and support individuals who are discriminated against
• campaign to reform IAPT and other ‘therapy-lite’ substitutes, while at the same time supporting IAPT practitioners with their grievances
• campaign against the use of therapy to get people off benefits and/or back to work
• change the system whereby starting practitioners have to work unpaid, often with very complex issues and without adequate support
• campaign to defend and extend the provision of open-ended therapy which is free at the point of contact, and where the client can choose their practitioner and modality
• support and defend practitioners in disciplinary hearings, and also against bullying and harassment
• support and defend therapy against attacks from government and media, and against creeping medicalisation
• Establish a policy and research unit to develop solid positions on a wide range of issues

What we offer our members

Individual support with:

• workplace disciplinary and grievance procedures
• complaints processes
• bullying, harassment and discrimination
• problems with training organisations
• contract vetting
• whistleblowing-related problems

(note: PCU does not offer specific legal advice: this is widely available elsewhere from insurance companies and other professional organisations)

Group support with:

• organisational dysfunction
• threatened closure of trainings and organisations
• issues of discrimination, difference and diversity

A voice in:

• collective decision making within the Union
• identifying and carrying through campaigning issues
• communicating with other members through the Union google group.

For further information about any of this, please contact us at pcu.union@gmail.com.  Download the union flyer here to distribute to others and use the PCU - Talking Points document to support support others understand PCU's role in Standing up for Therapists and Therapy.