A place for therapists concerned about the Coronavirus. Offering community, initiatives, resources, and signposting to useful information.

PCP has created The Therapist Hub to keep all therapists up to date with the latest COVID-19 developments. The people representing our member groups include university-based therapy academics; senior counsellors; psychotherapists; supervisors; trainers; examiners; a former chair of UKCP; the NCS – a PSA accredited professional body; and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Union who are already making representations to the Government on our behalf and requesting BACP, UKCP and BCP do the same. We also have amongst our number Elizabeth Cotton of Surviving Work, who holds national data on therapists’ income and employment conditions. All are experienced, individually and collaboratively, in running agile, responsive projects both within our profession and beyond it.

PCP has already mobilised a number of initiatives to support therapists through the Covid-19 crisis:

Initiatives from PCP and our Partner organisations:

  • PCP have written to BACP, UKCP and BPC asking them to Scrap SCoPEd in light of current circumstances (see our news pages)
  • The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union have sent an open letter to BACP, UKCP, BPC and NCS. PCP orgs fully support the work of PCU as they continue to represent the interests of counsellors and psychotherapists at this difficult time. Their letter can be found here.
  • Surviving Work is providing us with the latest up-to-date information on benefits and finances which we are posting in The Therapist Hub. Surviving Work is a resource for working people and carries out research in the mental health To see the results of the national survey of working conditions in the mental health sector go to http://www.thefutureoftherapy.org
  • Counsellors Together UK will be holding a counsellors’ support group in their Facebook group every Monday and Thursday at 7.30pm.

Upcoming Events for Therapists

  • Counsellors Together UK will be holding support sessions in their Facebook group every Monday and Thursday at 7.30pm.
  • Free Psychotherapy Network weekly support groups (see above)
  • Aashna ‘Chai and Chat’ (see above)
  • IAPT Workers Cafe (for IAPT workers only) – Online skills-sharing meeting Saturday 18th April at 10am: “What are our experiences and tips for doing therapeutic work in IAPT during Covid-19 restrictions?” email IAPTWorkersCafe@gmail.com for a Zoom link.
  • Kate Anthony of The Online Therapy Institute is offering her telehealth course for drastically reduced rates and FREE to students, volunteers and unwaged therapists (including recently unwaged due to Covid-19): https://www.kateanthony.net/shortcoursementalhealth/
  • Online groups for the person-centred community ‘Connecting and Sharing our Experiences of Living in this Unique Time’ on a Tuesday and Thursday 7pm-8.30pm. For information and to book a place, please email Emanuela Ciciotti and Teri Tivey.

Up-to-date Information and Advice

We will keep this section updated with the latest Government and professional body advice.

  • Covid Mutual Aid Group: a register of over 900 local support groups and resources on how to look after yourself https://covidmutualaid.org/
  • Coronavirus Tech Handbook: crowdsourced information resource including advice on isolation, remote working and online meeting and event alternatives https://coronavirustechhandbook.com/

Information and guidance on working online

Useful Videos

Information about Benefits

Universal Credit/ESA & Self-Employment

Official sites:

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/universal-credit

Self-employment

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-self-employment-quick-guide/universal-credit-and-self-employment-quick-guide

https://www.gov.uk/self-employment-and-universal-credit

Coronavirus and claiming benefits

Advice:

Unite/ACAS advice on redundancy, reduced working and home working: https://unitetheunion.org/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19-advice/


https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-for-the-self-employed#claiming-universal-credit-if-youre-self-employed

Relevant blogs:

3 Point Plan To Make DWP Support People During Covid-19 Outbreak

We are looking to increase our resources and help as many therapists as possible. Please share any relevant resources with us at admin@partnersforcounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk and share the #PCPTherapistHub widely. Thank you.