My reasons for standing for office are as follows:
I have been a member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy since 1992 and have in previous times been the UKCP rep for the United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis.
I have always shown a keen interest in the politics – management – and direction of the UKCP since my membership in the early 1990s.
Recently my Training Institute became an organizational member of the UKCP, I have taken a keen interest in the UKCP’s overall direction and policies within the world of Psychotherapy.
Whilst attending the UKCP Annual Conference (2017) I was invited by my colleague and friend, Neil Robertson, to consider nomination for the trustee position within the UKCP, as not only did he know of my interest in the UKCP politics but he also considered my experience in the world of Psychotherapy Politics, and the running of a comprehensive Psychotherapy Training Institute would, he reminded me, bring experience to the position of trustee of the UKCP at this particular time for the UKCP in terms of future direction and development.
After further reflection and serious thought with regards to what I can offer to the post of trustee within the UKCP, and the energy needed to fully involve myself in the strategies and future development of the UKCP, I came to the conclusion that I would like to offer myself up for nomination. I believe I have the experience and politics which will be important for such a post, I felt stimulated and excited after listening to the panel and discussions concerning the planned future developments with regards to the UKCP and the present Psychotherapy world, both at a macro and micro level.
I was particularly enthused by the recent developments concerning the collaboration between the various psychotherapy regulating bodies and the UKCP, with particular reference to the growing relationship between the BACP and the UKCP.
I also was pleased to hear that the UKCP was being pro-active in its strategy to place itself in the forefront of psychotherapy politics with regards to the government of the day.
I believe it is of pivotal importance that the UKCP fosters a “relationship” and “ear” within governmental parlours. Again, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that at the UKCP Conference there was a Member of Parliament invited.
I also think it is of utmost importance that the UKCP is pro-active in its external image, not only to the UKCP membership but also to the world in general.
We are at an important time in the history of the UKCP with regards to the image of Psychotherapy both within the UK and of course Internationally. Not only do we have the question of Brexit at the present time, we are also dealing with the economic consequences of the government’s policy to “mental health” within the UK.
Another of my passions would be not only the consolidation in the UK of the UKCP as one of the major regulating bodies within the world of Psychotherapy, but there needs to be an emphasis on pro-activity with regards to advertising, not only at a regional level but at a national level of UKCP policies and strategies.
With reference to the duties and expectations of being a trustee, I understand the gravitas and importance of being a “trustee” of the UKCP in not only the ways that I have outlined above but also in being a “custodian” with regards to the organisation’s financial and management position.
It is also important to note that I have a passion in the awareness of diversity, inclusion, and awareness, and to that end I would support overt and transparent policies in this area.
In terms of the second area you raised in nomination terms, ie why members should vote for me.
Firstly, I bring a wealth of experience in the world of Psychotherapy at many different levels, not only from a clinical perspective but also from the areas of Training and Supervision.
Perhaps more importantly for the post of “UKCP Trustee”, since 1988 I have directed and been in charge of a pivotal Psychotherapy organisation within the UK.
This in itself has meant considering strategies and management with regards to positioning the organisation within the UK and internationally.
My training organisation, which is the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy, is a medium-sized organisation with 60-70 trainees and a training faculty of 11 trainers who teach within the organisation.
This organisational experience has kept me very close to the Psychotherapy world within the United Kingdom, both at a political and economic level.
I have always had a keen interest in the direction and strategies needed for organisations to be of an influence and impactful within the larger culture as a whole.
As I am a Training Director, I am “near” to the trainees’ ideas, interests, and expectations of training within the UK, and their expectations of the UKCP in terms of policies, expansion and strategies.
I believe then that I will be able to take those interests, expectations and aspirations to the UKCP and through my position as “trustee” hope to have some impact and energy to further UKCP discussions, negotiations and plans with regards to strategies and development which are so important to the members of the UKCP itself.
I will always put the interests and aspirations of the members at the heart of my thinking and energies within the proposed post of “trustee” within the organisation.
My experience of being Chair of the UK branch of EIATSCYP and the ITA (2012) representative to the UKCP itself and my involvement in numerous international Psychotherapy organisations has meant that I have had in-depth experience of the psychotherapy world in general and from a detailed perspective.
BOB COOKE
2017
