The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) online directory of therapists has now introduced two significant new filter options, enabling users to search specifically for practitioners specialising in coercive control and/or stalking.
At first glance, this may appear to be a relatively small adjustment, but its impact is considerable. Coercive control and stalking are chronically under-reported and frequently misunderstood forms of abuse. They thrive in ambiguity, often leaving victims doubting their own experiences and struggling to articulate what is happening to them. The ability to locate therapists with the appropriate knowledge and training offers not only crucial practical support but also an important sense of validation.
I am grateful to BACP for responding so swiftly. I had highlighted that the directory did not previously allow people to filter for these specialisms, and it was clear that this made it harder for victims to identify practitioners with the expertise they needed. BACP took this feedback seriously, engaged openly, and acted promptly to make the necessary changes. Their willingness to listen and adapt is commendable and reflects a genuine commitment to supporting those affected by complex and often hidden forms of abuse.d
Crucially, the introduction of these filter options is not solely a practical improvement – it is also a matter of visibility and transparency. By recognising coercive control and stalking as distinct areas of therapeutic expertise, BACP helps bring these issues into sharper public focus. Visibility matters: when organisations name these forms of abuse explicitly, it signals to victims that their experiences are real, recognised, and taken seriously. It also challenges the persistent misconception that these behaviours are somehow “minor” or “less urgent” than other forms of abuse.
Greater clarity around specialist support also promotes higher professional standards. Therapists who choose to list themselves under these categories are making a clear statement about their training, competence, and readiness to work with the nuanced dynamics that these cases often involve. This, in turn, strengthens trust in the profession and in the systems victims rely on.
The broader benefits of placing these specialisms “on the map” are significant. Doing so helps normalise conversations about coercive control and stalking, encourages earlier help-seeking, and ensures that the public, practitioners, and policymakers continue to recognise the seriousness of these patterns of behaviour. Every step towards clearer signposting is a step towards earlier intervention and, ultimately, safer outcomes.
This update may represent a single change within a single directory, but it marks meaningful progress – progress towards a landscape in which victims and survivors of coercive control and stalking can access the specialist support they deserve with greater ease, clarity, and confidence.
