
Regulatory Information
Regulatory bodies fall into statutory and voluntary categories, and typically set professional standards, address and manage complaint matters, and impose sanctions when necessary. However, they do not provide direct services or oversee the daily activities of their registered members.
As psychotherapy practitioners in the UK are not required to belong to a government-sanctioned (statutory) regulator, they are encouarged to join a voluntary regulatory body - such as the General Psychotherapy Council - that they can be held accountable to.
Clients (i.e. individuals or organisations) should verify that any psychotherapist they choose to engage is registered with an appropriate regulatory body and holds the necessary qualifications and experience to meet their needs. Concerns about a psychotherapist's conduct should be directed to that practitioner's regulatory or membership body.