Welcome to the SHTC (Society of Holistic Therapists and Coaches).

Latest News

• The HPC potential regulation of psychotherapy and counselling rumbles on. Still there is a high level of dissatisfaction within the professions at the proposed form of regulation. It is still unclear whether this will go ahead, but it looks increasingly likely at present (Sept 2010).
  
  
• The SHTC now has a membership recognition arrangement with the International Society for Professional Counsellors. SHTC members with a level 4 qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy are invited to apply for ISPC membership. In the event of HPC regulation being a member of a dedicated counselling organisation such as the ISPC may prove a major advantage by enabling access to transfering from that register to the HPC, or by enabling access to the HPC grandparenting scheme.
  
  
• Government regulation of Psychology -  the first stage of regulation of the three main psychological therapy models (see below) is already getting into hot water. Rubber stamped in parliament the HPC are now at loggerheads with the BPS (British Psychological Society) since the legislation contained a phrase stating that the new regulation would not reduce standards. The HPC however are now not sure whether the previous level for chartership is appropriate and is thinking of dropping the standard! Ironically the older chartered members with the higher standard -  these poor professionals may have to go through a grandparenting and assessment scheme even though they have passed the old and higher standard! This does not bode well for the other two therapies and makes it clear that whatever level of training you are doing in counselling or psychotherapy right now really does not matter since it will not guarantee any kind of acceptance by the HPC, even at doctorate level (the old BPS chartership level)! Members of the SHTC are advised to focus on coaching and holistic therapy qualifications until such time that the HPC decides what standards they will put in place, and critically what course content! [May 2009  More at BPS site HERE ]
  
  
• Government regulation of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Psychology. The SHTC has decided after careful consideration that we are AGAINST state regulation. We support a voluntary self regulation process instead. The state process is fundamentally flawed and in our view will reduce the quality of service to clients and impose restrictions on therapists that will impair the therapy process. We encourage all therapists and interested parties to visit the Alliance Against State Regulation and sign the online petition, and find out other ways to resist this development. http://www.allianceforcandp.org/
  
  
• Voluntary self regulation of complementary therapies.  A number of federal style regulatory bodies are now developing. It is completely voluntary to join such a body, and refusal to do so will not in any way impact on SHTC membership.
  
  
• Skillsforhealth are now in the process of writing yet more National Occupational Standards, this time for "psychological therapies". It is unclear whether these will complement the ENTO counselling standards or seek to replace them.
  
  
• State regulation of psychologists. From July 2009 the British Psychological Society will hand over chartership and regulation powers to state body the HPC (Health Professions Council). We have been advised that the generic term "psychologist" will not be restricted. Other psychologist titles however will become legally restricted from that time and you should visit the HPC website and check that you are not likely to breach the new legislation.
  
  
• News -  please revise the code of ethics and note the new ethical clause 27 regarding the use of the terms "healer" and "healing".
  
  
• Advisory board.
  We have a GP, Mental Health nurse, Social Worker, Counselling Specialist, Holistic specialist,  NVQ specialist, Training specialist, Disabilities Officer. Contact via us  and specialist questions will be passed to the board member as appropriate.

• Notice to members - ENTO have now gained approval for the revised Counselling NOS (2007). These can be found on the ENTO website via our links page. Note a fundamental revision is the requirement to be familiar with the NICE recommended good practice standards. Please review these ASAP.

• In addition new standards regarding CBT have been published. These are not NOS, but are expected to form part of the psychological therapies NOS, and are already supported by most major organisations including the Health Department.  A link is now on our links page.