SCoPEd frequently asked questions
A ground-breaking shared framework for our profession

1. Would my job title dictate which column I would sit in on the SCoPEd framework?

No. Your job title wouldn’t define the column you will sit in. 

Therapists currently using the titles counsellor and psychotherapist could fit into all three columns of the framework. The title you are currently using wouldn’t define which column you would sit in. The final decision on column titles will be made by the SCoPEd Oversight Committee (SOC) which includes representation from all six partners, as well as Experts by Experience (EbE). No decisions have been made yet.

Members will be able to move between the different membership categories aligned to the columns during their career if they wish to do so by developing their skills, knowledge, and experience.

Visit BACP members and the SCoPEd Framework for more details.  

2. Is SCoPEd trying to create a new hierarchy?

No, the framework maps current training standards and competences. The evidence points to delineation between three different groups of therapists represented in the three columns along with opportunities for clearer progression between these columns.  All therapists are qualified and all have an important contribution to make.

We’re currently working with partners to see if there are specific titles that we can use and that would fit with each column.

However, the most important part, is that the partnership has been able to map membership categories to the columns to show the equivalency of membership categories across partner organisations. 

This gives clarity to therapists, to the public and to commissioners. Each organisation has its own membership categories and the framework gives a more tangible and general sense of the core training.

3. Does BACP believe there is a distinction between counselling and psychotherapy?

There are some areas of differentiation between trainings which are associated with the title of counselling and those with the title of psychotherapy, in terms of entry points, associated competences and practice standards and, in some cases, the length and level of training and experience. This is not surprising as some trainings are longer, at a higher academic level and require more client hours, supervision, levels of reflective practice and associated skills, like research and some have specific personal therapy requirements.

There is no evidence of psychotherapy training in column A, but counselling trainings span all three columns with the majority being in columns A and B. This suggests there is a continuum of practice not a clear point of distinction. Furthermore, there are some counsellors who meet the column C competences and some psychotherapists who choose to work under the title counsellor.

4. When will the titles be agreed? 

For now the column titles remain as published in the January 2022 framework – A, B, C. The commitment remains within the partnership to look at titles, but this will be a longer-term piece of work. It’s important to remember that any work on titles is not about identifying or creating protected titles but about ensuring consistency and reducing confusion across the profession as a whole, and for the public.

5. Who will decide on the titles? 

The final decision on titles will be made by the SCoPEd Oversight Committee (SOC) which includes Chief Executive representation from all six partners, as well as Experts by Experience (EbE). No decisions have been made yet.

6. Are all counsellors going to sit in column A and all psychotherapists in column C?

No. It's really important to remember that therapists currently using the titles counsellor and psychotherapist can be represented in all three columns of the framework. The title you are currently using won't define which column you would sit in. Our membership categories will be aligned to the standards of the SCoPEd columns.