The HPC opens its Register to practitioner psychologists

01/07/2009 - 00:01

HPC takes on its fourteenth profession

Today sees the HPC take on its fourteenth profession as it opens its Register to practitioner psychologists.

Practitioner psychologists will now be independently and statutorily regulated for the first time a move welcomed by industry professionals and the public alike. By opening the Register to practitioner psychologists the HPC will take on responsibility for protecting the public by keeping a Register of practitioner psychologists who meet its standards for training, professional skills and behaviour. 

By using a practitioner psychologist registered with the HPC, an individual can be confident that the person is genuine and meets national standards. The HPC will now be able to take up the case of people who have concerns about a health psychologist’s skills or behaviour.

This comes as a public opinion survey indicates that the use of psychological services in the UK is rising and is now at a higher level than ever across the general population*. Eighty seven per cent of those questioned in the survey felt it was more acceptable to seek psychological assistance now than it was during their parents’ generation.

In spite of this readiness to consult a practitioner psychologist the survey found that nearly half (48%) of respondents did not know that practitioner psychologists were not statutorily regulated with thirty six percent presuming that they had to be before today. It also showed that the vast majority (83%) of the respondents felt that practitioner psychologists should be regulated by an independent body.

 The survey also revealed that ninety five per cent of the public would feel more reassured knowing that practitioner psychologists will be statutorily regulated from today.

From 1 July 2009, the HPC will regulate practitioner psychologists by protecting the following titles:

• Clinical psychologist
• Counselling psychologist
• Educational psychologist
• Forensic psychologist
• Health psychologist
• Occupational psychologist
• Practitioner psychologist
• Registered psychologist
• Sport and exercise psychologist

Anyone who wishes to use one of these titles must register with the HPC. 

Link to full press release

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*The consumer research for the HPC was carried out online by Tickbox.net/Opinion Matters between 9 June and 11 June 2009 amongst a nationally representative sample of 1,137 adults aged 16+. Tickbox.net adheres to and follows codes of the MRS (Market Research Society) and are fully registered and compliant with the Data Protection Register.