Posted by David Chandler at the ISMHO Discussion Forum, April 18, 2005

I'm a counselling psychologist in the UK and I am just in the process of diversifying to online counselling having recently taken Kate Anthony's online course. The situation in the UK appears somewhat unclear although one of my professional bodies (BACP) has published guidance about practitioners working online. Less information seems available from my psychology professional body but that may be due to the limited research I've so far carried out with them. There seems no problem getting insurance to practice and my insurers have given me written confirmation that providing I'm UK based they will insure me no matter where my clients might come from.

There seem to be a number of UK practitioners now offering various forms of online counselling, although because counselling in the UK is still unregulated anyone can set themselves up as a counsellor to practice f2f or online therapy. This is currently starting change as new UK laws are expected soon that will regulate who can call themselves a psychologist or a counsellor.

I'd be especially interested to here what my EU colleagues have to say about the issue of moving ones counselling practice between EU states from an online perspective. There is EU law which says that my professional qualifications would enable me to work in all EU countries. If this law is applicable for f2f work then why not online? And if your particular EU state does not recognise or prevents you practicing online counselling, what would stop you from registering your business in an EU state that does, such as the UK?

Posted by Adrian Skinner at the ISMHO Discussion Forum, September 4, 2005

The situation in the UK has been described by David, but a few additions...

Counselling/psychological treatment is not regulated by law in the UK, so the 'legal position' is that anyone may do what they damn well like, and does. This situation will change a bit, probably next year, when Psychology is regulated under the Health Professions Council, but Counselling will not .

There are of course 'recognised' national bodies (British Psychological Society, British Association for Counselling etc etc) which regulate their members. The BPS has published a 'position paper' on 'The Provision of Psychological Services via the Internet' which may be downloaded from their website.

There are online counselling and psychology sites in the UK, but no huge appetite for using them (yet?). This is for the usual worldwide reasons, and also because the major part of 'therapy' in the UK is provided free via the National Health Service resulting in a much smaller market for 'pay as you go' treatment of all kinds then elsewhere.

As for 'freedom' within the EC, in practice it is very difficult to obtain employment in another EC country as a psychologist.

Local educational events:

Most common communication tools used in the country:

Level of access for the general population:

About 60% of the Adult UK population have online access, and use of the Internet is burgeoning.

Level and examples of online mental health services/research/education/supervision:

Health care, including mental health care, is largely provided by the government through a nationalised system. This means the kind of services provided are governed by a set of rules, and these rules now include computerised CBT.

Legal/regulatory issues:

Insurance/payment options:

Languages spoken:

Relevant cultural issues:

Resources in the field of online mental health: