Member’s Advertising Policy

All members are bound by BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where practitioners undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force. This should be reflected in all promotional literature.

The use of designatory letters and advertising statements

Designatory letters are to be used to clarify the level of membership and should not be used to infer that membership of BACP is a qualification.

Accredited Membership MBACP (Snr. Accred)

Accredited Members who have applied and met the criteria for Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Supervisor or Trainer may use the designatory letters MBACP (Snr. Accred) and should describe themselves as:

• BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist*
• BACP Senior Accredited Supervisor*
• BACP Senior Accredited Trainer*

*which ever is applicable

Accredited Membership MBACP (Accred)

Members in this category may use the designatory letters MBACP (Accred).

Counsellors, Supervisors, and Trainers accredited by BACP should make it clear in any literature produced the specific area they are accredited in by describing themselves as either:-

• BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist*
• BACP Accredited Supervisor*
• BACP Accredited Trainer*

*which ever is applicable

Member MBACP

Members in this category may use the designatory letters MBACP providing they have submitted evidence that they have successfully completed a minimum of one year full time or two year part time counselling and/or psychotherapy course which includes a supervised placement.

Member (no designatory letters)

This category is for members who have not completed or have not submitted the required qualifications for the member MBACP category. Members in this category maynot use any designatory letters.

Members in this category may describe themselves:

"As a Member of BACP I am bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where practitioners undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force".

Associate Membership (no designatory letters)

Members in this category maynot use any designatory letters.

Members in this category may describe themselves:

"As an Associate Member of BACP I am bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where practitioners undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force".

Student Membership (no designatory letters)

Members in this category maynot use any designatory letters.

Members in this category may describe themselves:

"As a Student Member of BACP I am bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where practitioners undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force".

Affiliate Membership (no designatory letters)

Members in this category maynot use any designatory letters.

Members in this category may describe themselves:

"As an Affiliate of BACP I am bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where practitioners undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force".

Organisational Members

Organisational members maynot use any designatory letters.

Members in this category may describe themselves:

"As an Organisational Member of BACP we are bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where organisations undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force".

However not simply as: "An Organisational Member of BACP".

The Misuse of Designatory Letters

Members found to be using the designatory letters when not permitted to do so, or using them in a manner that is inconsistent with the right of use, and/or suggesting explicitly or by implication that the use of such letters represents a qualification of any kind, may be subject to the Association’s Professional Conduct Procedures and/or have their continuing membership of the Association considered by the Board of Governors under powers derived from the Memorandum & Articles of association. This may include the imposition of sanctions up to and including the termination of membership of BACP. BACP is the proprietor of the UK Trade Mark for the letters and any misuse thereof would constitute trade mark infringement.