AIP is the division of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) that supports members who are primarily in, or about to embark upon, a counselling or psychotherapy practise that is independent. This includes those practitioners who work in voluntary agencies.

The division has the following goals:

1. To provide a supportive, encouraging and integrative network with opportunities to exchange ideas, work ethics, methods, and styles

2. To alleviate the loneliness of the independent practitioner by disseminating relevant information, techniques and revitalisation

3. To engage in and encourage constructive dialogue about the professions of counselling and psychotherapy, including explanation and discussion of BACP developments

4. To offer practitioners an opportunity to interact with the wider world of counselling and psychotherapy

5. To protect clients by promoting BACP standards and ethics

The division provides a supportive network as well as training with an emphasis on maintaining clear boundaries and having sufficient support and supervision.

AIP provides an interactive sense of professional belonging for all members of our multi-cultural therapeutic community. Equal opportunities are an integral part of this division's philosophy.