Therapeutic Relationships: The Human Connection

We're excited to share the results of our in-depth industry survey! Explore the invaluable insights on digitalisation's impact on counselling training and practice—knowledge that can truly influence the future of quality counselling.

Research

Our latest research, a groundbreaking collaboration with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) dives deep into the dynamic world of counselling education and practice in our increasingly digital society. Through an extensive industry-wide survey that gathered insights from over 600 professionals, tutors, and learners, combined with a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 UK adults, we uncovered intriguing perspectives on human connection, training methods, and the role of digital tools, including AI, in therapy.

What stood out most in our findings was the undeniable importance of live interactions and human connection. These personal exchanges are crucial for cultivating essential counselling skills such as empathy and trust—elements that simply can’t be replicated online.

Our industry-wide survey of counselling professionals, tutors and learners found that:

of counselling professionals are concerned that distance learning does not adequately prepare practitioners to build the emotional depth and human connection necessary for effective therapy.

of respondents prefer face-to-face or synchronous online training methods.

of counselling professionals believe that human connection is essential in counselling training.

The Campaign

CPCAB is 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.

Why do we believe this is important...

In 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 observation and feedback.

For many, this mode of study impedes further counselling training and prevents them from meeting the requirements of professional associations, which ensure the safety and ethical standards of counsellors and psychotherapists.

In 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.

Video Info

We were thrilled to join NCPS at their June conference to launch the campaign and hear from many others about the importance of human connection.

Watch Kelly Budd, Chief Professional Standards Officer at CPCAB and Meg Moss, Head of Policy & Public Affairs and NCPS explain the campaign's main aims and the ways in which you can be involved.

Kelly Budd, Chief Professional Standards Officer of CPCAB, says:

“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

Get Involved

We'd love your support in advocating for the human connection within counselling training.

If you see our posts about the campaign on social media, please share them with your networks. We'd also love to hear from you about your experiences and want to collaborate on exciting articles in this area, so please get in touch!