Training and Training Standards

Douglas Hooper is a clinical and counselling psychologist with a long interest in psychological therapy in primary health care and the need for good training and competent practice. He has chaired the Forum for Counselling and Psychotherapy in Primary Care for a number of years, bringing together all the main professional groups. Philippa Weitz is a qualified teacher and psychological counsellor (MSc in Psychological Counselling from the University of Surrey, Roehampton) with twenty-five years of private practice and primary care experience, as well as training and mentoring within mental health. She is currently Commissioning Editor for the UKCP Book Series, Managing Director of Philippa Weitz Training Ltd. and co-founder of the London Online Therapy Centre. She was Executive Director and co-founder of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Forum for Primary Care. She was also Head of The Conference Unit (Mental Health Sciences) at St George's Hospital Medical from 1990-1997 and subsequently director of Mole Conferences.

'Patients referred to counselling services are often in a vulnerable state and need rigorous protection as well as care. There has been a steady improvement in defining and adhering to quality standards by the counselling profession over the last decade or two and this is readily apparent from this book.'- Andre Tylee, from the Preface; Professor of Primary Care Mental Health, King's College, London'An indispensable book for anyone who wants to inform themselves about [understand] the current issues concerning counselling in primary care.'- Professor Tim Bond, University of Bristol, Fellow of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

• CONTRIBUTORS, AN A-Z OF ORGANISATIONS AND THEIR ACRONYMS, PREFACE: REPRESENTING THE PATIENTS' INTERESTS, INTRODUCTION, Part I, 1 The History of Primary Care Counselling, 2 Why Go to All This Trouble? 3 The Link between Training and Good Practice and the Implementation of Training Standards: What Does This Mean for Employers? Part II, 4 Fitness to Be Trained: The Selection of Trainees and Course Content: A Trainer's View, 5 What Is Appropriate Training? An External Examiner's View of Training, 6 Training Counsellors to Work in Primary Care, 7 Training for Competency: Finding the Right Course for Working in Primary Care, 8 Towards Regulation? 9 Training Standards for Supervision in Primary Care, 10 Placements and Mentoring for Primary Care Counselling in Today's NHS, 11 Continuing Professional Development: Fit for Practice. PART III, 12 Fitness to Practise: Selection for Primary Care: Choosing and Supporting the Competent Practitioners: A Service Manager's View, 13 Professional Liability Insurance: Protection for the Public, Protection for the Therapist, 14 Opportunity or Threat? What Is Happening to Psychological Therapies in the NHS? A View of Primary Care as New Relationships Emerge, SUMMARY: WHAT NOW? Appendix.