Information for governments

The vision of The European Association for Psychotherapy is of the continent of Europe* being a place in which emotional and mental wellbeing is a human right.

The European Association of Psychotherapy aims to make highly professional, high quality Psychotherapy available to those who need it in EU and non-EU countries alike. Quality assured Psychotherapy easily available to citizens is of great benefit for countries as it enhances citizen’s emotional and mental wellbeing with obvious results for productivity, public health and the general feeling of welfare and belonging in the community. In consequence making Psychotherapy available can be of benefit to Governments as well as individuals.

The Strasbourg Declaration on Psychotherapy, in accordance with the World Health Organisation, established the principles and standards of quality assured Psychotherapy. Quality assured Psychotherapy is effective in 65 – 72% of cases (Carr, 2012).

Psychotherapy is a psychological (as distinct from medical or pharmacological) treatment for a range of psychological, emotional and relationship problems. Psychotherapists usually have a first degree followed by a professional highly specialised theoretical and clinical training which includes research methodology and continuous professional development. The range of psychotherapeutic modalities is broad, and the profession is constantly evolving new developments in theory and clinical practice.
We encourage you to set aside part of your health budgets to make Psychotherapy available to those who need it within your country. It has the potential to bring healing, to transform people’s lives and unlock their potential. This is in the national interest of your country, as well as in the interest of individuals who live in your country.

When someone is experiencing emotional or mental health problems their capacity to live life to the full is usually reduced. This means that in their working life they are unlikely to be able to perform their work to the highest level of which they are capable, and their employers will notice differences in their productivity. There may be days of work lost due to ill health, sometimes extended periods of sick leave and repeated visits to their doctor. All of this is enormously financially costly for Governments. Psychotherapy is an effective intervention in these situations for the individual who is suffering.

Crucially, it is also an effective intervention for you as Governments as there is a cost benefit to the state and the taxpayer due to the relatively low cost/high value structure of Psychotherapy. Research shows that the costs associated with the overall healthcare of a person who benefited from Psychotherapy were reduced by 17% compared to the control group who did not have Psychotherapy (Chiles, Lambert and Hatch 1999, 2002). This represents a significant saving for Governments, and endorses the European Association for Psychotherapy’s recommendation to you that you set aside part of your health budgets to make Psychotherapy available within your country .

We aim to transform people’s lives by unlocking their potential through Psychotherapy. When someone’s potential is unlocked in this way they are able to work effectively and efficiently and contribute to the social and economic good of society. They are also able to enjoy their personal and family relationships to the full. Everyone benefits from this! Especially Governments!

Let us work together to make the continent of Europe* a place in which emotional and mental wellbeing is a human right.

(* The European Association for Psychotherapy covers both EU and non EU countries, and includes the United Kingdom, Russia, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia and other non EU countries)

Please read our electronic booklet to learn more.

Patricia Hunt

President  of the European Association for Psychotherapy
Summer 2019