PCUnion

This account will not remain active, because X does not align with our values. Please come and find us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Those accounts will remain active, so we hope to see you there! Bluesky - bsky.app/profile/pcunio… Facebook - facebook.com/Psychotherapya… Instagram instagram.com/pcunion/ LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/pcunio… #PCU #Psychotherapists #Counsellors

@GFTU1 @pcs_union @FranHeathcote @MEslamdoust @PFA @sarahwoolley01 @GawainLittle You can add us to this list now! 😉👍bsky.app/profile/pcunio…

We’re building a list of #GFTU affiliated trade unions on Bluesky Check it out here: go.bsky.app/TY1JMEy #GFTU125

We're on @bluesky ! Come and find us - bsky.app/profile/pcunio… 🦋 #PCU #Psychotherapists #Counsellors

We have a chance for meaningful change. PCU and BAATN are supporting former staff members of the Metanoia Institute as they pursue a legal case. Their positions (lecturers, Directors of Studies, and a Faculty Head) had become untenable after raising concerns about practices at the Institute that were harmful to students and staff of colour. This case is about the future of our profession and ensuring that the Metanoia Institute, and others, act with fairness, integrity and inclusivity. The legal process is complex and costly, and £20,000 is needed urgently to cover the next stage of the Preliminary Hearings. By supporting this crowdfunder, you're helping to: ✔️ Hold institutions accountable for discriminatory practices. ✔️ Create safer, more equitable spaces for all psychotherapy trainees. ✔️ Ensure the mental health profession reflects the diverse needs of our society. 👉 Click here to learn more and contribute: gofundme.com/f/challenge-in… Your support is crucial. Whether you can donate or help us spread the word, your actions make a difference. Let’s work together to challenge racism and create a better future for psychotherapy and counselling. #InstitutionalRacism #PCU #BAATN #Psychotherapy #Counselling

A Life Remembered: Honouring Maria Albertsen on Her Birthday. Sunday 12th January, 10am. You can book a place via eventbrite: eventbrite.com/e/a-life-remem… Maria’s commitment to creating a fair and supportive environment for therapists will never be forgotten, this is a chance to remember and honour Maria, on what would have been her birthday.

We are bringing the very popular @IERUK Employment Law update to the Midlands for the very first time! Get your tickets here: ier.org.uk/product/employ… The lineup is 🔥 #EmploymentLaw #Workers #Unions #EmploymentRights #LabourLaw #EmploymentRightsBill #NewDeal

Happy New Year! If you are already a member of PCU, thank you for your support. If you are not yet a member, then maybe 2025 is the year to join! Joining a union is about fostering a collaborative environment where our collective voices shape our futures. Many therapists are self-employed, but being your own boss does not mean that you can’t benefit from a union. PCU was founded in 2016 and we remain committed to our mission of standing up for therapists and therapy. We support our members and have several active campaigns. Our member support team is here for you if you: • Feel isolated. This can be an issue for anyone who is self-employed or is the only therapist in a workplace, school counsellors for example. • Have felt discriminated against. • Would like support in the event of being complained about. • Are concerned about being asked to work for free. (The Members Support Volunteers team service can only be accessed by members who have been a member for at least 3 months.) Our current campaigns include: • SCoPEd. We have a campaign group that meets regularly to discuss strategy and take action. • EAP. Our EAP campaign group promotes demands for a better deal for affiliate therapists. • School Counselling. Our School Counselling campaign group is campaigning for the development of school counselling and psychotherapy as a recognised profession with a critical role in improving the mental health of children and young people. We also have an Education Network that brings together therapists working in education settings. Being part of a union brings the solidarity of joining forces with hundreds of others and campaigning together on relevant issues. Our members and our executive committee understand therapy and understand the needs of practitioners. We are also, like several other major unions, part of the GFTU (General Federation of Trade Unions) with lots of additional benefits for affiliated union members. If you would like any more information about us, please get in touch - admin@pcunion.org.uk #PCU #HappyNewYear #Counsellors #Psychotherapists

Foluke Taylor's powerful reflection in “The Life and Deep Time of Still Hearing - an un/exceptional account of a black space in a predominantly white institution” reminds us of the ongoing journey toward justice and equity in our field. 📖 Read the full piece here: unrulytherapeutic.substack.com/p/the-life-and…

A face to face social to meet other practitioners and PCU members WHERE: The Showroom Cafe, Sheffield. Near to the bus and train stations, and has lots of bike parking. The Showroom has an accessibility statement here; showroomworkstation.org.uk/info/accessibi… WHEN: Saturday 11th January, 2025 at 11am WHO: This is open to PCU members and people who are interested in the work the PCU does; this might be trade unionists, psychotherapy students or practitoners who are curious about the work the PCU does. Please RSVP to pcunorthandmid@gmail.com, so a big enough table can be reserved. We won't be conducting any official business, because not everyone is able to attend. North and Midlands branch's next meeting for union business is Thursday January 16th at 7:30pm online. Branch members will receive a link closer to the time. #PCU #psychotherapists #counsellors

Sign the Petition to Protect Talking Therapies in Derbyshire! The NHS Talking Therapies service in Derbyshire is under threat, with the budget being reduced so significantly that Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust have not bid for the contract. This is deeply concerning, as it will likely result in the service being run by a private (profit-driven) company. While this petition relates to Derbyshire, this trend of outsourcing public mental health services is being seen across the country. Everyone deserves access to quality, free-at-the-point-of-use talking therapies, regardless of where they live. Over 70 highly qualified and dedicated NHS staff could see themselves being transferred out of the NHS in July 2025. We stand firmly against the erosion of public mental health services and urge all members to sign the petition and share it widely. Together, we can send a clear message that mental health care must remain publicly funded and accessible to all.

🚨 Support the Fight Against Institutional Racism in Psychotherapy Training 🚨 Together with @baatn_network , we’re proud to stand alongside the 5 claimants challenging systemic racism in psychotherapy training programs at the Metanoia Institute. This landmark case seeks to address long-standing inequalities. The GoFundMe campaign is now live! Your support will help fund the legal challenge and drive change for a fairer, more inclusive future in our profession. 🔗 Donate now: gofundme.com/f/challenge-in… Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us push for equity, accountability, and justice. ✨ Why this matters: Institutional racism creates barriers for students and professionals from diverse backgrounds. This case is not just about one person—it’s about transforming our field for everyone. Together, we can create a profession that truly reflects the values of empathy, fairness, and inclusion. 💡 How you can help: • Donate: Any amount, large or small, brings us closer to our goal. •Share: Spread the word about our campaign on social media or with your networks. •Raise Awareness: Help us amplify this important issue and stand up for equity in psychotherapy training. Let’s work together to challenge racism and create a better future for psychotherapy and counselling. #InstitutionalRacism #PCU #BAATN #Psychotherapy #Counselling

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from PCU. We wish you and your families a happy and safe festive season, however you choose to celebrate. Thank you to all our members for your continued involvement. We look forward to the continued growth of the union during 2025, the more members we have the more we can support each other. #PCU #MerryChristmas

New guidance has been issued that debunks the controversial concept of 'parental alienation'. This blog highlights the importance of this long-overdue shift and its potential to bring fairer outcomes for families. supportnotseparation.blog/2024/12/11/a-x…

Join CEO of @Bombeplatform, Mike Joslin, in our NEW course, Bargaining, Organising and Campaigning Around AI & Data. Find our more about Mike below👇 Dates: 10-11 March Deadline: 24 Feb First come, first served. Sign up today - gftuet.org.uk/courses/bargai… #GFTUET

This morning you are invited to remember our friend #MariaAlbertsen who died 24 November 2024. Maria requested a closed family service which is took place this morning facebook.com/share/p/1EJtjk… @UK_Counsellors @onlinevents @pcu_union @pcp_uk @Therapists_C

Thank you to everyone that came along to our event on Saturday - ’The SCoPEd Fiasco - where do we go from here?’. Over a hundred people came, so it was great to have so much support. Thank you to our chair, @Sparkledalchemy, and to our speakers; @cazbinny, @andycounsellor, Kat Kohler and Anne Lee. We continue to stand up for the interests of counsellors and psychotherapists and to fight for fair and equitable treatment as SCoPEd is implemented. Our next campaign meeting on Zoom - Friday December the 13th at 5.00pm will focus on the next phase of the campaign as SCoPEd starts to impact therapists' experience of making a living and the pressure builds on us to take more courses and qualifications. If you would like to attend and aren't already on the list of attendees please contact us at admin@pcunion.org.uk If you are not already a PCU Member, please consider joining. Being part of a union brings the solidarity of joining forces with hundreds of others and campaigning together on the issues that affect us all. #SCoPEd #TherapistsConnect #PCU #Counsellors #Psychotherapists #CounsellorsTogether

@Glennademeter @UK_Counsellors Good evening. The post was removed earlier today.

@pcu_union @UK_Counsellors @pcu_union ?

We were very saddened to hear about the recent death of Maria Albertsen. Maria’s dedication, compassion and tireless work with Counsellors Together UK was inspirational. Her commitment to creating a fair and supportive environment for therapists will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with Maria’s family and friends. You can read Maria’s obituary here: survivingwork.org/surviving-work…

❤️ . We feel it apt to re-share today. “Connection is there even when the person is not”. The #TherapistsConnect team is in shock and will have more to say later. But for now, we send all of our love, thoughts and prayers for Maria Albertsen’s children, Kai, Jacob & Safina.