This October, the BACP Members' Event will include the Member Awards, an opportunity to recognise the dedication, expertise, and impact of therapists within our profession.
I'm honoured to have been invited to join the judging panel and to play a small part in recognising the inspiring work that therapists do every day.
I'd also like to acknowledge everyone who has been nominated. Being put forward by colleagues or peers is an achievement in itself and reflects the positive impact you have on those around you and the people you support.
Counselling and psychotherapy continue to evolve in response to changing societal needs and increasing complexity. Alongside the privilege of supporting others comes the responsibility to practise ethically, engage in lifelong development, and uphold high professional standards. It's rewarding work, but it can also be demanding.
Amid those demands, I sometimes wonder whether we spend enough time celebrating what we do well. Our profession rightly encourages reflection and continual development, yet this can sometimes overshadow the extraordinary difference therapists make every day through compassion, curiosity, and hope.
For me, the Member Awards are not only about recognising individuals but also about celebrating the professionalism, integrity, and commitment that define our profession. I believe it's important to acknowledge the contribution therapists make and to take pride in the professional identity we continue to develop throughout our careers.
Having recently carried out research on professional identity, this invitation feels especially meaningful. Our identity as therapists is shaped over time through experience, supervision, learning, and the relationships we build. Taking time to celebrate the profession is, perhaps, also an important part of that journey.
I hope these awards encourage us all to pause, recognise the positive impact we have, and celebrate one another. In a profession that asks so much of us, that's something worth making time for.
Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated, and especially to those who are successful this year. Thank you for the difference you make to individuals, communities, and to our profession every day.
