Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy – fourth evidence session roundup

The Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy held its fourth evidence session online on Thursday 16 April focusing on counselling and psychotherapy, the future of the professions. The Commission considered issues facing the professions over the next decade including the emergence of new technologies, counselling and psychotherapy in the global context and our shared vision for the future.  

The Commission heard evidence from invited subject matter experts:

• Terry Hanley, Professor of Counselling Psychology, University of Manchester
• Richard Miller, Co-director of the Scottish Institute of Emotion-Focused Therapy
• Professor Noami Moller, Professor of Psychology and Psychotherapy in the School of Psychology and Counselling at the Open University
• Professor Andreas Voller, Professor of Psychology and Psychotherapy and Deputy Director of Teaching for Counselling at The Open University
• Meg Moss, Head of Public Affairs & Advocacy, NCPS
• Dr Peter Pearce, Director of Clinical Training at the Metanoia Institute

Summary of the discussion

Please note that the points below are drawn from discussions in the session and do not necessarily reflect the final conclusions of the Commission.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is already globally, widely adopted for many aspects of day-to-day life. Therapists and clients alike are increasingly using AI for a multitude of purposes, although this is not widely discussed, so we lack a truly representative account of how. AI usage poses significant environmental and ethical challenges which must be critically examined and accounted for. “AI diversion” is already happening as AI services such as chatbots triage and assess people seeking support.

Our workforce and training 

Asynchronous and online components of training may be more accessible to some trainees. Neurodiversity, suicidality and suicide risk, trauma-informed care, and specific client diversities are areas that would benefit from greater exploration in core training. Achieving equity means more than addressing the challenge of inclusion. There are structural inequalities within and beyond the profession which are sometimes reinforced by the profession. Trainees may benefit from specific education as to how the health and social care system, and other employment sectors such as education, function as employers and therapy providers. More broadly, more needs to be done to help trainees and other prospective therapists to understand the competitive nature of the jobs market and navigate it with success.

Next steps

Insights from all the evidence sessions will help shape the Commission’s final report and recommendations, which will be published later in 2026.

Dedicated sessions for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also being held.

All of the Commission’s findings and recommendations will  help shape future collaborative work with the PCPB and ongoing engagement with policymakers and service commissioners, supporting the profession and benefiting clients.

Previous evidence session roundups are available to view, Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy:

• First evidence session roundup
• Second evidence session roundup
• Third evidence session roundup

Further details of the commission are available on our Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy webpage.