The U-PIC form helps young people communicate the type of support they want, as research shows aligning therapy with clients’ preferences helps improve outcomes and reduce dropout.
The Understanding Preferences in Counselling (U-PIC) therapist guide – a first-of-its-kind tool asking young people about their preferences in therapy – is now live.
Research shows that aligning therapy with clients’ preferences improves outcomes and reduces dropout. The 14-item U-PIC guide aims to improve young people’s experience of mental health services by making it more tailored to their individual needs.
The McPin Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) has been involved in developing the form, which has now launched on the Talking Preferences website.
The U-PIC project
The U-PIC project began in 2024 to help young people explore which type of therapy might suit them best, and help them communicate this to their counsellor or psychotherapist. It can also be used by clinical professionals to tailor their therapy to the young person’s needs.
The form is a conversational tool, rather than a contract, and is the young person’s version of the adult CNIP, which was created by Mick Cooper and John Norcross, who are both on the U-PIC study team.
The research team is made up of staff from both the University of Roehampton and the staff at the BACP, alongside the McPin YPAG.
U-PIC is funded by the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and led by Mick Cooper, Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton and Counselling Psychologist.
It’s vital that young people are involved in projects that are hoping to improve care for young people. Those with lived experience bring perspectives that others simply can’t replicate, and that insight shapes the work in meaningful ways.
The role of the YPAG
The McPin YPAG attended steering group meetings throughout the lifecycle of the project to provide their lived experience expertise and insight.
This began at the project inception, advising the researchers on what they should be focusing on, to ensure the tool is inclusive of the needs of young people.
The YPAG was instrumental in advising on the design and name of the form, in particular the layout, and the design of the TalkingPreference.org website.
One McPin YPAG members said: “Our group worked closely with Mick, offering feedback on the U‑PIC form and later on the website. With the form itself, we focused on its appearance (colours, wording, clarity) and shared our honest opinions about what worked and what didn’t.
“We had multiple meetings where we could see our suggestions being taken on board. Each time we met, we were shown an updated version, and we continued refining it together.
“It’s vital that young people are involved in projects that are hoping to improve care for young people. Those with lived experience bring perspectives that others simply can’t replicate, and that insight shapes the work in meaningful ways. If decisions are being made about young people’s care, then young people should absolutely have a say.”
Anyone can fill out the U-PIC form to help them articulate the style of therapy they want – the Talking Preferences website has both the adult and young person versions. You can also find out more about the study on the McPin U-PIC project page.
