Member

As noted, psychotherapists and counsellors are not regulated by the Government, so there is no legal requirement for them to hold any specific training or qualifications, and there are no legally protected titles in place. Extending provision for the offence to include psychotherapists and counsellors would potentially continue to leave a legal gap, because it would still be possible for individuals to rebrand or define themselves by using alternative job titles: for example, “well-being practitioner” or “life coach”. They could continue to practise in the same field as those who are included in the proposed definition that the amendment seeks to capture. What does that mean in practice? If the Government are satisfied that the conditions for regulation of a profession are met, they can take action currently through secondary legislation, under existing powers in the Health Act 1999.