Social and political perspectives on the psychotherapy and counselling profession: Returning caravelles

Abstract

The counselling and psychotherapy profession is changing. For the first time in its history, it has begun to receive substantial Government funding in the UK and it also has to contend with the principles o f evidence-based practice and the policies o f the New Public Management systems in many countries. This paper argues that such recent developments present chal lenges to the profession's historical apolitical standpoint. More importantly, it argues that the present social and political climate offers many opportu nities such as the possibility o f learning from psychosocial practices in other countries. The paper will look, in particular, at what can be learned from Latin America and India where mental health care and psychological therapy have adopted grassroots involvement, health-focused approaches and innovatory therapeutic methods.