Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy
News from Â鶹ԭ´´

As a partner of the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB), we’re pleased to announce the PCPB have established an independently chaired Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

The commission will examine the current and future landscape of the professions and the key issues affecting the sector, professionals, services and clients, drawing on expert and lived experience, alongside input from the wider PCPB memberships, including our members. 

This comes at a critical time for the sector, following a change in government, a large turnover of Members of Parliament and the opportunity to influence the priorities of the Labour Government, including the delivery of the NHS 10 Year Plan and commitments to grow the mental health workforce in education, community and health settings. Next year will also see significant parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales. It also comes at a time when we’re seeing an increase in scrutiny in the regulatory landscape for counselling and psychotherapy.

The Commission will be independently chaired by Phil Hope, former Minister of State for Care Services. Our President Lynne Gabriel will be part of the Commission as our nominated Â鶹ԭ´´ representative. The commission will include other PCPB partner representatives, academics, key providers and clinical experts, decision-makers, practitioners and people with lived experience. Additional subject matter experts will be invited based on the theme of each session.

The Commission will bring these voices together to explore and discuss:

Counselling and psychotherapy, the state of the sector: Setting the scope for the Commission. Participants will reflect on the current professional and policy context, as well as the barriers and opportunities around commissioning of counselling and psychotherapy.

Counselling and psychotherapy, is there a case for statutory regulation? Commissioners and experts will review the adequacy of the current regulatory mechanisms for the professions in protecting clients and explore alternative models and the underpinning principles of statutory enhancement.

Counselling and psychotherapy, the evidence base: Academics and researchers will present the strength of current research and evidence for counselling and psychotherapy. Followed by a discussion on the gaps and priority areas for more and new research to strengthen the case for investment and wider commissioning.

Counselling and psychotherapy, the future for the professions: The Commission will consider the key issues facing the professions over the next decade including the emergence of new technologies, counselling and psychotherapy in the global context and our shared vision for the future of the sector.

An open call for evidence in early 2026 will also seek vital views and input from the PCPB partners’ members and others who wish to contribute to the process.

The Commission’s findings and recommendations will support and shape the direction of future collaborative work between the PCPB and engagement with policymakers and commissioners of services on behalf of the profession and for the benefit of clients.

How will the commission work? 

We’ll be hosting structured, thematic roundtables enabling evidence-led, solution-focused discussions. Four sessions will focus on the profession UK-wide and we’ll also be holding dedicated sessions for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The roundtables will be held between October 2025 and July 2026, with the first one taking place on 16 October 2025. The second session will be held online later this year and the others in the first half of 2026. Key providers and clinical experts, decision-makers, practitioners and people with lived experience will be invited to speak at each of the events.

A summary of the discussions will be published following each of the roundtables and the evidence gathered will form part of a report and recommendations that the Commission will publish in summer 2026.

The report will also be informed through a call for evidence, which will open in January 2026 for approximately eight weeks. Further details will be published in due course.

Lisa Morrison, Director of Professional Standards, Research and Policy said:

"We’re excited to be involved in the Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy. This is a groundbreaking and transformational initiative to review the current status and fundamental opportunities for the future of the profession. 

With evidence from across the profession and wider mental health sector, and the invaluable voice of people with lived experience - the Commission will help shape Â鶹ԭ´´ and the PCPB’s future strategic priorities to support the evolution of the profession to support the nation’s mental health. 

As part of this significant piece of work, it is imperative that the Commission hears from our members and services providing counselling and psychotherapy. I’d encourage you to take part in the process and submit evidence when it opens in January 2026.

We’ll keep members updated regarding the work of the Commission and share more information about submitting evidence soon."

More information about the Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy is available on the .