Therapeutic Relationships: The Human Connection

We’re very pleased to be campaigning alongside our friends at NCPS, to bring focus to the importance of human connection in the field of counselling.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness among the public, mental health service commissioners, and the government about the critical role of human connection in counselling training and therapy provision. It highlights the necessity of fostering meaningful therapeutic relationships in this field. Additionally, the campaign serves as a counterbalance to the growing trend of digital distance learning and digital mental health support in both the public and private sectors.

CPCAB and NCPS have spent time together to understand each other’s ethos, motivations, principles, and standards. Through these discussions, we discovered a mutual passion for high-quality counselling training and a shared perspective on how changes in the education landscape influence the professional field, specifically the impact of digitalisation on our work. We're excited to collaborate with NCPS, supporting their campaign for human connection in counselling and upholding professional standards, while we continue to advocate for the same in the training realm. Together, we aim to emphasise the importance of informed choice, connection, and transparency within the counselling and psychotherapy industry.

What’s the importance within counselling Training?

We believe that training to be a counsellor requires being in a live training environment with other human beings.

In recent years, asynchronous online training, commonly known as distance learning, has seen a substantial rise.

Asynchronous distance learning lacks direct interaction with tutors or peers, thereby missing out on the benefits of human connection, such as relational group dynamics, observation and feedback.

For many, distance learning impedes further counselling training and prevents them from meeting the requirements of professional associations’ membership, which ensure the safety and ethical standards of counsellors and psychotherapists.

What’s the importance within Therapeutic Practice?

AI and digital tools are increasingly prominent in the mental health sector, with chatbots and apps being promoted as accessible alternatives to traditional therapy. This trend is reflected in the growing use of these innovations in public spaces and the rise of publicly funded therapy training that requires little-to-no human contact.

While digital tools have the potential as supportive resources, research commissioned by the NCPS through YouGov reveals that a significant 80% of people in the UK are unlikely to choose an AI chatbot over a human being for a therapy session. The poll highlighted that the lack of human empathy from chatbots and a preference for personal connection were common reasons people avoid using chatbots for therapy sessions. The recent findings from an industry-wide survey commissioned by CPCAB also revealed that 98% of respondents believe that human connection is vital for positive therapeutic outcomes, emphasising the need for real-life interaction in both training and practice.

“Human-centred training that includes human interaction will always be key for effective therapy. Creating competent, safe and compassionate practitioners is at the heart of what we do, and we are committed to providing future learners with the ability to make informed choices about the type of training that will meet their goals” – Kelly Budd, CPCAB.

What are we doing?

As part of this campaign, we conducted a survey of hundreds of counselling professionals, trainees, and tutors to gauge their opinions on the significance of human connection in the industry. We are eager to utilise the survey results to enhance our support for individuals working and training in the counselling and psychotherapy field. The report will be available later in the year.

We’re also focusing on education and resources to ensure anyone considering counselling training can make informed choices about routes that will help them achieve their career goals, such as the CPCAB Training Taster. We want good quality counselling training to be accessible to all!

How can you get involved?

Share your thoughts and experiences with us across socials and be on the lookout for the results of our industry-wide survey coming soon...