There is another view that I guess has a lot going for it. In which case the Alderdice Bill makes sense as a last ditch attempt for the BCP and UKCP to annex the territory before the government applies industrial strength consumer power to their preferences for authority and seniority. That Alderdice and the UKCP medics thought so may turn out to be further evidence, were it needed, of their myopic, trade association approach to matters of deep psycho-social subtlety. I recommend reading the government statement from the Psychotherapy Bill 2nd Reading debate which outlines what the government appears to have in mind. Attempts to annex the territory of psychotherapy in favour of a medicalised and academicised therapy seem certain to continue.
Vigilance continues to be essential.
Consultations are promised. Given the nature of the discipline and the level of knowledge within it, I would argue that the claim to knowledge implied by qualification is far greater than the real level of knowledge. Instead of facing this central issue, analysts often substantiate the knowledge implied by qualification in terms of anointment'. Order in Council creating a Health Professions Council Recent contact with the Department of Health confirms that the government seeks to pursue 'statutory regulation of psychotherapists counsellors and related groups' There will be 'full consultation with all the stakeholders'. What counts as 'consultation and who counts as a stake-holder remains to be seen.