Survey of BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Members; 1999

Abstract

AbstractThis study represents the first survey of all members of the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Division of Counselling Psychology. The aim was to provide demographic information of members and in particular counselling psychologists and to describe their professional and client practice. The sampling frame used was the BPS Division of Counselling Psychology membership list and all members were sent a postal questionnaire. The response rate was 34 per cent with 385 out of 1128 questionnaires returned. Among the major findings were: one third of members are chartered as counselling psychologists; two thirds of members are women; there is a bimodal distribution in terms of age with clusters among those in their 30s and 50s; and many are undertaking further study on courses or via the independent training route to attain chartered status. A high proportion of practitioners are self-employed, offer an integrative model of practice for problems with adults such as anxiety, depression, stress and relationship problems and charge on average £40 per session for short to medium term work. Many have dual or multiple professional registrations. Supervision is sought by the majority of Division members. In spite of some methodological limitations, the study provides interesting insights into the training and practice of counselling psychologists. It also provides a baseline for future surveys, making it possible to describe the developments in counselling psychology in the UK.