Letter – Counsellor Exploitation – the prevalence of unpaid work in the UK – please join in – we need as many people as possible to send this letter to their representatives.
A few years ago, we reached out to our local MPs to raise awareness about the issue of unpaid work in the counselling and psychotherapy professions. Given the recent changes in government, we believe it is crucial to renew this effort. With many new MPs who may not be aware of this important issue, it’s a great opportunity to bring it back to their attention.
We have drafted a new letter to send and we are reaching out to ask for your support in this campaign.
Would you be willing to join us by sending this letter to your local MP/MSP? Email is likely the most efficient method, and please feel free to personalise the letter as you see fit.
You can find your MP’s contact information here: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons. Please remember to include your name and address when contacting them, as they require this to respond.
We have set up a shared file over in our Facebook group where we can track and share any responses we receive.
Thank you for your support in making this campaign a success – we really couldn’t do it without you!
LETTER 
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postcode]
[Date]
[MP/MPS Name]
Your local constituency MP/MPS address
Dear [MP/MPS Name],
Subject: Addressing the Prevalence of Unpaid Work in the Counselling and Psychotherapy Profession
My name is [INSERT NAME]. I am a member of your local constituency and also a [qualified/trainee] counsellor/psychotherapist (delete as appropriate) and an active member of the campaign group Counsellors Together UK (CTUK).
CTUK is the largest campaign group for counsellors in the UK, with over 10,000 members. Our main aim is to end the culture and prevalence of unpaid work within our profession.
I am writing to bring to your attention an urgent and deeply concerning issue within the counselling and psychotherapy profession: the pervasive culture of unpaid work. This issue not only undermines the financial stability of dedicated professionals but also impacts the quality and availability of mental health services in our communities.
The Cycle of Counsellor Exploitation
The current system imposes a significant financial burden on counsellors and psychotherapists.
Here is a brief overview of the exploitation many face:
1. Counsellors invest thousands of pounds in their training, often accumulating debts exceeding £45,000. This includes course fees, insurance, mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, and membership fees.
2. During training, counsellors are required to complete at least 100 hours of face-to-face clinical work, typically through unpaid placements.
3. Placement providers, including private businesses, statutory services, and charities, rely on trainees to deliver their services. Trainees often bear the costs of supervision and travel, and sometimes even pay the organisation to work at these placements.
4. Upon completing their placements, many counsellors find no paid work available, as services continue to operate on the unpaid labour of new trainees.
5. Even post-qualification, counsellors are frequently expected to work unpaid to gain the 450 clinical hours required for accreditation by bodies such as the BACP, which can take several years.
6. This exploitation leads to alarming statistics: 30% of therapists see no future in the profession, 14% rely on income-based welfare benefits, and a significant number resort to using food banks.
Current Situation and Impact
Despite the critical role counsellors and psychotherapists play in mental health care, there has been little progress in addressing these issues. Many organisations benefit from unpaid labour, creating a system resistant to change. CTUK has had some success in campaigning to stop The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) from continuing to advertise unpaid work and in raising awareness with membership bodies about the impact on members’ lives. However, more needs to be done. Volunteerism, while well-meaning, cannot provide the consistent and professional support that clients and patients need. Paid, professional counsellors bring expertise, continuity, and stability, which are crucial for effective support. They build lasting relationships, provide consistent care, and are trained to identify and manage a wide range of mental health issues.
Proposed Solutions
MPs/MSPs (delete as appropriate) need to consider this issue when planning the future of mental health services across the UK. For example, Scotland and Wales have implemented a policy where a paid counsellor is placed in every school. England should adopt a similar approach, as well as ensuring all staff in the development of any community based mental health hubs are also paid fairly for their time.
Conclusion
This ongoing issue is severely affecting counsellors and psychotherapists across the UK. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and explore potential solutions with you. Please feel free to contact me at the details above to arrange a meeting.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Further Reading
CTUK is actively working to challenge and change the culture of unpaid work. You can learn more about their efforts here.
Surviving Work conducts significant research with therapists to assess the financial landscape in the UK. Their research and advocacy provide valuable insights and recommendations. More information can be found here.
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union is running two ongoing campaigns:
• Paid Work Campaign: Challenging the prevalence of voluntary therapist positions across sectors.
• Campaign for a Fair Deal for EAP Therapists
You can read more about these campaigns here.
