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Membership and Communications Strategy 2024

1.   Background 

1.1  tPCA Charitable Objects 

  • (Our) purpose is to “promote the development of Person-Centred and Experiential Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Person-Centred Approach (PCA) throughout the United Kingdom…
  • In pursuit of its purpose, TPCA will advance education in Person-Centred and Experiential Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Person-Centred Approach.
  • TPCA seeks to be inclusive, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive.
  • TPCA represents the diversity of understanding/articulation of Person-Centred Therapy and the Person-Centred Approach.

Taken from The Charity Commission website (our highlights and annotations). Full text and reference appended. 

1.2   The landscape in which tPCA operates. 

tPCA exists to promote the development of the PCA. The Approach is (under threat in the UK. There are declining numbers of accredited courses solely offering qualifications in the PCA. Courses offering qualifications in Integrative or Pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy are increasing. These courses may cover the PCA but will explore a range of modalities or approaches, often positioning the PCA as the initial foundation upon which other, “more advanced,” learning and skills are built. 

Paid employment for individual therapists who are practitioners of tPCA are difficult to come by. SCoPEd is viewed as a further threat to the Approach. 

2.  What may person centred practitioners currently think and feel?

Practitioners may feel dismayed by what they perceive to be an existential threat to the PCA. They may feel they do not have the respect of those practising in other roles in the field of mental health or other modalities as therapists. They may feel estranged from the direction of travel of the membership body(ies) with which they must register to practice. They may feel they lack a spiritual home or community of like minded people who, like them, are committed to person-centred theory and practice – and who could not imagine not being person-centred – “it’s who I am.” 

3.  What are our hopes -  through our efforts – that tPCA members will feel?  

Members: tPCA offers a community of like minded practitioners - (principally but not exclusively therapists) - who are drawn to the Person-Centred Approach. tPCA is a home where they can further their knowledge and practice within the Approach, in whatever self- directed way works best for them as individuals. We would like them to feel supported, encouraged, celebrated and respected as members of tPCA. 

In turn we hope that they are happy to support and live by the person-centred values espoused by tPCA. Through its purpose, activities and offer to its community, tPCA would like to enable members to feel less isolated, more affirmed and more hopeful as PC advocates and practitioners. 

4.  tPCA strategic objectives 

  • To offer members of tPCA a range of practical and emotional benefits which support their person-centred practice; their knowledge of the approach and facilitates their engagement with a community of like minded people. 
  • To showcase, advance, champion and publicise the Person-Centred Approach   
  • To support the work of researchers, educators and advocates who advance our community and wider society’s understanding of the Person-Centred Approach: its validity, efficacy and importance in today’s world. 

5.  tPCA Proposition 

tPCA is the home of person-centredness for therapeutic practitioners and those who work in a person-centred way. 

6.  tPCA organisational values

Radical, anti-oppressive, empathic, accepting, authentic, trustworthy, respectful of the uniqueness of each individual, self-organising. 

7.  Communication objectives 

7.1 All audiences: 

  • To position tPCA as a confident, dynamic, positive organisation which is dedicated to sharing its commitment to the PCA – and furthering respect for and accurate knowledge of the Approach. 
  • To position tPCA as an organisation committed to radical, anti-oppressive practice

7.2 Members: 

  • To increase awareness of the tPCA and its membership benefits 
  • To foster a sense of community especially amongst private therapeutic practitioners 
  • To organise or promote events, training, writing and research created for members or by members. 

7.3 Training organisations: 

  • To increase awareness of tPCA as the home of person centredness and promote its dedicated offer to student members. 
  • To encourage organisations to promote tPCA and to encourage students to retain their membership or join us after completing their studies. 
  • To position tPCA as a ‘go to’ place to encourage and promote all members’ training, writing and research. 

7.4 Other stakeholders

  • To raise awareness of tPCA and its commitment to the PCA – and to furthering respect for and knowledge of the Approach 
  • To enhance the reputation of tPCA as a well governed organisation, dedicated to its members and to the Approach.
  • To position tPCA as an ally for any organisation in our wider therapeutic community, which seeks to promote or protect the Approach and those who practise it. 

8.  Tone of voice (for communications) 

Confident, non-defensive, strong, self-assured, informed, human. (Consistent)   

 

Appendix

tPCA Charitable Objects

The Objects of the TPCA are: 

3.1 The Person Centred Association (TPCA) is a non-religious, non-profit making and non-politically aligned association whose purpose is to promote the development of Person-Centred and Experiential Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Person-Centred Approach (PCA) throughout the United Kingdom 

3.2 In pursuit of its purpose, TPCA will advance education in Person-Centred and Experiential Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Person-Centred Approach (PCA) by such means as the Trustee Group (TG), shall decide on behalf of the membership. 

3.3 TPCA operates with the principles of the Person-Centred Approach 

3.4 TPCA seeks to be inclusive, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive. TPCA recognises the value and the human rights of all people, regardless of culture, religious affiliation, ethnicity, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, financial or social standing, educational attainment or special needs. 

3.5 TPCA represents the diversity of understanding/articulation of Person-Centred Therapy and the Person-Centred Approach.

Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of TPCA for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with [section 7 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005] and [section 2 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008]

How the charity helps:

  • Makes Grants to Individuals
  • Sponsors Or Undertakes Research
  • Acts As an Umbrella or Resource Body

Activities - how the charity spends its money.

Promote the development of Person-Centred Psychology in general and the Person- Centred Approach (PCA) throughout Great Britain.

Source https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1044077/governing-document  [Downloaded 19/2/24]