Standards of Practice for Counsellors and Psychotherapists

National Alliance of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (NACP)
Effective: January 2025

1. Purpose

These standards define the expected level of professional practice for NACP members working as counsellors or psychotherapists. They are intended to support ethical, competent, and client-centred care, and to provide a clear framework for accountability and professional development.

These standards apply to both in-person and remote work, across all practice settings.

2. Scope

These standards apply to all NACP members offering counselling or psychotherapy services under Certified, Accredited, or Student membership.

Associated Professional Members are expected to follow the NACP Code of Ethics and relevant portions of this document as appropriate to their scope of practice.

3. Professional Competence

Members must:

  • Work within the boundaries of their competence, training, and experience
  • Engage in ongoing reflective practice and professional supervision
  • Complete at least 30 hours of CPD annually to stay current with developments in theory, law, and ethical best practice
  • Keep accurate and secure records of client work, supervision, and CPD
  • Regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of their work

4. Contracting and Informed Consent

Before beginning therapeutic work, members must:

  • Offer a clear and transparent contract covering:
    • Confidentiality and its limits
    • Fees and cancellations
    • Session format (in-person/online)
    • Record-keeping and data use
    • Complaints procedure
  • Ensure that clients provide informed consent
  • Revisit and revise the contract as needed, especially in long-term or changing work

5. Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

Members must:

  • Keep all client information confidential, with exceptions only where:
    • There is risk of serious harm
    • Legal or safeguarding obligations require disclosure
    • The client gives informed consent
  • Store records securely in line with GDPR and data protection law
  • Ensure clients are aware of how their information is handled
  • Maintain notes that are factual, necessary, and non-judgmental

6. Boundaries and Relationship Management

Members must:

  • Establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Avoid dual relationships that could impair judgment, objectivity, or client welfare
  • Never engage in sexual or exploitative relationships with clients (current or former)
  • Communicate limits clearly and maintain consistency
  • Consider ending therapy when it is no longer in the client’s best interest

7. Supervision

All practising therapist members must:

  • Receive a minimum of 2 hours of supervision per calendar month, or
    • 1 hour per month if working 15 hours or fewer per week
  • Ensure supervision is with a qualified professional
  • Use supervision for reflection, ethical support, and case exploration
  • Keep a supervision log that may be requested by the NACP, this is not required if you are receiving your supervision exclusively with the NACP, as we maintain this log on your behalf.

8. Equity, Inclusion and Cultural Awareness

Members must:

  • Provide a service that is non-discriminatory, accessible, and inclusive
  • Reflect on how their own identity, power, and privilege influence their practice
  • Be sensitive to race, gender, culture, sexuality, neurodiversity, disability, class, and other aspects of identity
  • Avoid imposing personal beliefs and work with the client’s lived experience

9. Professional Relationships and Collaboration

Members should:

  • Collaborate with other professionals when in the client’s best interest (with consent)
  • Refer on when the client’s needs fall outside their scope of competence
  • Communicate respectfully with colleagues and maintain professional integrity
  • Avoid undermining the work of other professionals

10. Advertising and Representation

Members must:

  • Describe their qualifications, services, and membership status accurately
  • Avoid misleading claims or guarantees of outcomes
  • Refrain from soliciting testimonials or using client feedback for marketing
  • Comply with the Use of Social Media & Digital Communications Policy

11. Fitness to Practise

Members are expected to:

  • Monitor their health and wellbeing and take action when unfit to practise
  • Seek support or step back from practice if impacted by illness, stress, addiction, or personal crisis
  • Inform the NACP if facing disciplinary action, criminal charges, or regulatory investigation

12. Accountability and Audit

Members agree to:

  • Submit documentation (e.g. CPD log, supervision log, insurance evidence) if requested
  • Cooperate fully in the event of a complaint, concern, or audit
  • Uphold the NACP’s values of integrity, transparency, and professionalism

📩 Contact and Review

This policy is reviewed annually or in response to changes in law or best practice.
Questions or concerns can be directed to:
📧 info@nacp.co.uk
🔗 www.nacp.co.uk