Welcome

The only UK trade union solely representing
Counsellors and
Psychotherapists

Who

Standing up
for therapists and therapy

The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union was created by practitioners for practitioners from a deep understanding and lived experience of the challenges those in the profession face.

Providing support to members who encounter difficulties in their workplaces, whilst training or with Membership Bodies, (e.g., with client complaints). Both BACP and UKCP formally recognise that PCU is entitled to support members in complaints processes.

PCU brings practitioners together and works to have voices of the profession heard through collective campaigning, to stand up for therapists and therapy. Encountering issues that as individuals we can feel powerless to influence in isolation, we have built and continue to build relationships with representative organisations and professional bodies and lobby those in positions of power to effect change.

We take care to ensure our structures and processes are democratic, guided by our values of equity, diversity and inclusion, solidarity and the broadest representation possible. A Union that is led by its members, that works for its members, by its members.

PCU provides opportunities for involvement, training (through our affiliation with GFTU), information and connection through branches, networks, campaigns and our democratic structures. Policy is made in collaboration with members at our AGM and in General Meetings. Any campaigning initiatives which happen in or on behalf of the PCU are open to discussion by the membership.

Why join a union?

Member Support

“The impact PCU has had on my life has been significant... More than anything, the union believed in me when at the most difficult points. They have a clear vision and intention and I was supported and protected because of this.

They were unconditionally supportive of me as a member...have clear values, to be committed, knowledgeable, and empathic with the confidence to let the work unfold. I cannot thank them enough.”

PCU member

Member Support Services

Casework focuses on three main areas:

Employment related difficulties
Training and Trainees
Complaints to Professional Bodies

Members Area

If you are not yet a member, you will need to join before you can access the member support team. Join PCU

Only members who have been part of the Union for 90 days or more can access the member support team. Members also have access to preferential rates with Truth Legal Solicitors and to GTFU member services.

Our Campaigning Work

SCoPEd Campaign

We have campaigned against SCoPEd from the outset. It’s unfair and confusing and is already having a detrimental affect on therapists’ status and income.

School Counselling Campaign

PCU is actively involved with professional counselling, union and political organisations in a campaign to improve the professional standing of school counsellors and counsellors in schools.

EAP Network

Fees for affiliate therapists have stagnated for years whilst the work has become more complex. We are pushing EAP providers to increase session fees and adopt more ethical practice.