British Society of Couple Psychotherapists and Counsellors

Formerly SCPP, the Society of Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists

About BSCPC

History of the BSCPC

BSCPC was founded in 1988 in order to create a professional body for the staff and graduates of the couple psychoanalytic training undertaken through the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships (TCCR) (formerly the Tavistock Marital Studies Institute).

The BSCPC was officially constituted in 1993 and gained charitable status in 1997. The Society has steadily grown since as Full Members have also been joined by selected highly qualified Associate Members with considerable experience and or training in couple work plus another psychoanalytic training.

The BSCPC is registered with the BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council).

The Society has from its inception been enthusiastic, eager to set its sights high in organizing exciting stimulating extra - learning experiences for all professionals. It has developed a strong reputation for theoretical and clinical excellence in practice. Together with its welcoming warmth it is seen as an aspirational and attractive presence within the field.

Philosophical Approach

The BSCPC seeks to promote a psychoanalytic approach to therapy with couples. The framework and training is developed from the conceptual roots of psychoanalysis with particular emphasis on unconscious processes and their manifestation in relationships including the therapeutic relationship itself.

Constitutional Aims

The prime aim is to act for the benefit of the public. To that end its objectives are to promote, provide and raise standards in education and training in couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy including establishing links with the training institute of the TCCR and other relevant bodies.

Membership of BSCPC

  1. Full Members: The Society welcomes applications for FULL membership from all staff and qualified graduates of the TCCR training whether undertaken to Masters or Doctoral levels.

  2. Associate Members: Other suitably qualified persons with couple and/or psychoanalytic training may apply following application and interview for ASSOCIATE membership. Specifically, applicants would need to have successfully completed a couple training including a study of psychoanalytic theory with particular reference to couple work, a minimum of twice weekly personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy and supervised practice of psychoanalytic work with couples to an accepted standard. Psychoanalytic psychotherapists who have completed an individual training would also be eligible for application who can demonstrate likewise the study of psychoanalytic theory with reference to couple work plus supervised practice of work with couples to an accepted standard. Persons who do not quite fit the requirements may apply to the BSCPC and TCCR for additional training to required standards.

    Associate Members play a full role in the organization, able to vote, participate and chair all committees, with the exception of being able to stand for Chair or Vice Chair of the whole Society. As intimated, Associate Membership is designed to attract colleagues who have clinical experience of working psychoanalytically with couples and who are likely to have trained either in individual work with additional couple experience or trained as couple counsellors additionaly developed within a psychoanalytic frame of reference.

  3. Student Members: This category applies to all students studying for completion of the TCCR Diploma or Clinical Doctorate in Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapy.

  4. Retired Members:This category offers members who are no longer practising an opportunity to remain in contact with the professional body and its continuing educational programme.

  5. Honorary Members: This category includes by invitation only distinguished colleagues who have made major contributions to the field of psychoanalytic couple therapy.

Governance

  1. The Executive: This includes the Officers of the Society (Chair, Vice-Chair, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer) plus two Ordinary members, and two Co-Opted members. A maximum of three Associate members may also be elected to any position except that of Chair or Vice-Chair.
  2. Ethics Committee: All ethical matters are grounded and submitted to this committee
  3. Membership: All membership information and applications are submitted to this committee
  4. C.P.D. Committee: Organizes all continuing professional development activities for a learned society
  5. Publications: An annual in-house Newsletter and bi-annual International Journal are produced.
  6. Referral Committee: A referral service is operated for those seeking couple psychotherapy.
  7. Couples Centre Stage: Organizes external public events for promotion of the work of couple psychotherapy.

Registration

Prior to statutory registration the profession of psychotherapy has organized itself as a voluntary organization of acceptable elected Member Organizations. Benchmark standards to which all Member Organizations must adhere, have been established for the purposes of training and accreditation, ethical practice, complaints and disciplinary procedure and requirements for continuing professional development.

 

The BSCPC is registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and belongs in the current Analytical Psychology-Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Section (The Council of Psychoanalytic and Jungian Analysis).