Which Column Are You?

The SCoPEd framework has been one of the most talked-about developments in UK counselling and psychotherapy over recent years. For many therapists, it has brought clarity. For others, confusion, concern, or even frustration. The collaborative group that originally developed and now oversees the SCoPEd framework — previously known as the SCoPEd partnership — has been renamed the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB)

So what actually is happening — and what does it mean for you?

Let’s break it down.

SCoPEd (Scope of Practice and Education) is a shared competence framework developed collaboratively by:

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC)

British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)

Human Givens Institute (HGI)

Its intention is to create greater clarity for the public and employers about therapist training levels and scope of practice. It introduces three “columns” that broadly map onto increasing levels of training, competence, and responsibility.

Why Was It Introduced?

The stated aims include:

-          Greater public protection

-          Clearer career progression routes

-          Increased parity across professional bodies

-          Stronger positioning of counselling within statutory systems

In theory, it offers a unified language around standards -  In practice, the transition has felt complex.

Why Has It Felt So Controversial?

Many therapists have raised concerns such as:

-          Anxiety about being “downgraded” into a lower column

-          Fear of losing work or referral pathways

-          Confusion about accreditation routes

-          Worries about imposed academic requirements

-          Concerns about impact on private practice identity

For long-established practitioners, especially those trained under earlier frameworks, the shift has felt unsettling. Change in professional identity is never neutral.

Where Do Therapists Currently Stand?

the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB) has implemented SCoPEd alignment within its membership categories.

This means: Membership and accreditation statuses now align with SCoPEd columns

There are defined routes for progression: Training providers are increasingly mapping courses to SCoPEd standards

Importantly: existing members have not been automatically stripped of status. Transitional arrangements have been built in. But the long-term landscape is shifting toward clearer qualification benchmarks.

What Does This Mean for You?

It depends on where you are in your career.

-          If you are in training - Check whether your course is SCoPEd aligned. This may affect future portability of your qualification.

-          If you are qualified but not accredited - You may want to explore whether accreditation strengthens your position within the framework — particularly if you’re considering EAP, NHS, or commissioned work.

-          If you are established in private practice

Private clients are unlikely to ask which “column” you sit in. However, organisational contracts may increasingly reference SCoPEd levels.

Whether you agree with every element or not, the direction of travel is toward formalisation.

The question becomes less “Do I like it?” and more “How do I position myself wisely within it?”

That’s a strategic question — not an emotional one. But if you’re feeling unsettled:

-          Check the actual facts (not social media reactions).

-          Clarify your current membership and column.

-          Map your desired career direction (private practice? EAP? NHS? training?).

-          Decide whether progression within SCoPEd supports that plan.

-          Most anxiety reduces when there is a plan.

In conclusion:

SCoPEd represents professional evolution. Evolution can feel destabilising — especially in a field built on identity, values, and relational depth. But clarity, when handled well, can also strengthen the profession. The key is staying informed, strategic, and connected.

And that’s exactly why spaces like Therapists’ Staff Room exist — to help you navigate change with confidence.