As one of the UK’s largest psychotherapy membership and training organisations, the bpf brings valuable expertise that will enrich the IHE community and contribute to its mission of advancing high-quality independent education.
With over 700 members, the bpf is widely recognised for its accredited programmes in psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and Jungian psychotherapy. These qualifications, overseen by the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) and the Association for Child Psychotherapists (ACP), maintain the highest professional standards, ensuring students receive rigorous and relevant education.
As a registered charity, the bpf is committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities and promoting the public benefit of psychotherapy. Through various educational offerings and the publication of the British Journal of Psychotherapy, the bpf fosters thought leadership and academic discourse, helping to advance the field of psychotherapy both within the profession and among the public.
The bpf also offers a range of flexible learning options, ensuring that students at various stages of their careers can continue to grow professionally. With its focus on supporting both emerging and experienced practitioners, the bpf’s commitment to lifelong learning remains a cornerstone of its mission.
Dr Wayne Full, Director of Academic and Strategic Development at the bpf, commented:
"The bpf is delighted to be a part of the IHE network. The bpf has been experiencing an exciting phase of growth and transformation and has ambitious plans to become a national centre of excellence for training in long-term, intensive psychotherapy. The bpf’s membership of IHE will enhance our credibility and visibility within the higher education sector and assist us in improving in areas such as quality assurance, data handling, student experience, and both corporate and academic governance. We look forward to collaborating with the IHE staff team and we are excited about the opportunities for sharing best practice, knowledge exchange, and co-operative problem-solving with other IHE members."
Alex Proudfoot, IHE Chief Executive, welcomed the British Psychotherapy Foundation, saying:
“We are pleased to welcome the British Psychotherapy Foundation to IHE. Their vision of becoming a national centre of excellence for long-term, intensive psychotherapy, alongside their commitment to lifelong learning, aligns with IHE’s mission to support high-quality education providers. We look forward to supporting them in achieving their impressive goals for development and evolution.”
IHE and the bpf hold a shared vision to promote innovation, accessibility, and excellence in education. By joining IHE, the bpf will have greater opportunities to collaborate with other independent providers, advancing education and professional standards within the psychotherapy sector.
This relationship represents an exciting step forward for both IHE and the bpf, promising to shape the future of psychotherapy education in the UK while supporting high-quality, accessible mental health services.
The bpf’s membership of IHE will enhance our credibility and visibility within the higher education sector