The Association for Person Centred Therapy Scotland (PCT Scotland) was founded in 1987 and has grown to a membership of approximately 250 counsellors based throughout Scotland.

Our counsellors have all had extensive training in the Person Centred Approach and have met our strict criteria for membership. This requires all members to abide by our Code of Ethics and to be individual members of a professional body such as BACP, COSCA, BPS, UKCP, or AHPP which has an official complaints procedure.

We aim to provide training and network opportunities to facilitate a common understanding of the Person Centred Approach and shared values in respect of how members co operate and work together.

PCT Scotland wishes to have active links with other organisations and co-operate with others in the promotion of the Person Centred approach. We are organisational members of both NEAPCEPC (Network for the European Associations for Person Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling) and WAPCEPC (World Association for Person Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling)

Below you will find details on:

• The Person Centred Approach
• Our Statement of Purpose
• Our Code of Ethics and Practice
• Complaints Against the Practice of Members
• Our Constitution

There are many different approaches to counselling and therapy. The Person Centred Approach is based on a deep respect for the person, and the belief that the relationship between the counsellor and the client is of primary importance.

It is the client who knows what hurts and who has the capacity within the safety of a therapeutic relationship to begin a healing process.

The essential qualities which we believe create a safe, supportive and challenging therapeutic environment include:

• A deep acceptance of the person.
• A willingness to understand that person.
• A commitment to being genuine in the relationship.

These qualities, offered professionally and consistently, are the central and distinctive characteristics of the Person Centred Approach.

1. To maintain and raise standards for Person Centred therapy and to explore ways of developing the Approach.
2. To provide support for Person Centred therapists in Scotland and in particular, to provide opportunities for their ongoing professional and personal development through shared experiences and training workshops.
3. To make Person Centred therapy available throughout Scotland by trained and supervised therapists.
4. To extend the understanding of the Person Centred approach and to promote public awareness of the existence and scope of Person Centred therapy.

As an Organisational Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Association has adopted the BACP Ethical Framework. All members are expected to be familiar with and to abide by this Ethical Framework, a copy of which is available from the Secretary on request.

1. All members must abide by the BACP Ethical Framework as well as the Code of Ethics of the professional body of which they are a member.
2. Any complaint made concerning the practice of a member will be redirected to the member’s professional body and the counsellor involved will be advised that this has happened.
3. The counsellor has the responsibility to inform his or her client of his or her professional body’s complaints procedure.
4. The Association will hold up to date copies of the complaints procedures of the relevant professional bodies.
5. The Association will inform the complainant of the member’s professional body.
6. If the complaint is upheld by the counsellor’s professional body and his or her membership is terminated, his or her membership of the Association will be terminated.

All members are expected to be familiar with and to abide by the Association's Constitution. A full copy of this document is available for download from our website. Alternatively, a paper copy is available from the Secretary on request.