We’ve seen some debate online about the membership fee, asking if this is something that could be waived to help those struggling. It is a really valid question so we’d like to answer it now.

BACP’s activity in supporting members is directly dependent on income from membership fees and any sudden reduction in income, by reducing fees for all members, would materially affect our ability to provide services to you because it would have a direct impact on staff and jobs. Like other businesses the value of our reserves has also been affected; this puts pressure on budgets especially if members are unable to stay with us.

It is incredibly distressing to hear of the impact of Covid-19 on your practice and livelihood. Those of us that are practitioners have a real felt sense of what it means for our client work. We have been doing everything we can to provide information, support for online working and campaigning for government funds and opportunities for work in these times of crisis. We want to continue doing this and campaigning on your behalf.

Since lockdown, the coronavirus resources and FAQs we've provided for members have been viewed more than 150,000 times. Media coverage promoting our therapists has reached more than 35 million and our campaign, to reaffirm the critical role counselling and psychotherapy need to play in supporting the nation through this crisis, has gained more than 10,000 signatures. 

Like every aspect of this terrible situation some people are suffering greater financial hardship than others. If you personally are finding it difficult to pay your membership fee please get in touch by emailing membership.support@bacp.co.uk