Bristol Alliance, 13th May 09

First, a personal view of the day from Arthur: We had day long meeting, to which over 30 people turned up - and a number of people who are known to sympathise were unable to come. The morning focused on NICE gudelines, IAPT and the impact of PCT recommisioning in three different local PCTs. The afternoon was devoted to the impact of regulation and the choice we as counsellors and psychotherapists face about how we respond.

People were undoubtedly stirred up and energised. We were able to suggest that people who want to get further involved don't reinvent the wheel but plug into the wider Alliance network. There was considerable interest in further meeting(s). Professional Full Disclosure (PFD) received some very favourable comments from experienced practitioners, who hadn't yet heard of the work that the local group has been doing on this.

Something that is becoming apparent to me is that many practitioners only gradually take on board the importance of taking a stand on the issue of regulation. We are in a consciousness raising period and have to keep working at people within our local networks.


Els: I agree - I find that many practitioners are working very hard to earn a crust and do not necessarily have a lot of spare time and energy to engage with what is happening. Often people assume that it has nothing to do with them (or that it is inevitable) - I think this view is particularly prevalent amongst those in private practice, However, when people's awareness is raised and they become aware of the fact that HPC regulation will affect them too - they become energised. I feel in Bristol we now have a base from which to launch further events.