Reference: The Economist
第一段：In Britain, the title “therapist” is not legally protected, nor are “psychologist” and “counselor.” While practitioners can seek accreditation from professional bodies, there is no legal requirement to do so. This lack of statutory regulation leaves vulnerable individuals at risk, especially as demand for mental health services grows. Over a million people in England are on NHS waiting lists, prompting many to turn to private therapy, yet only one in ten people are aware of the absence of regulation. The rise of online therapy and international platforms further complicates accountability.
在英國，「治療師」這個頭銜並未受到法律保護，「心理學家」和「諮商師」也是如此。雖然從業者可以尋求專業機構的認證，但法律並未強制要求這麼做。這種缺乏法定規範的情況使得脆弱的個體處於風險之中，尤其是在對心理健康服務需求日益增加的情況下。英格蘭有超過一百萬人正在國民健康服務（NHS）的候診名單上，許多人因此轉向私人治療。然而，只有十分之一的人知道這種缺乏規範的現象。線上治療和國際平台的興起進一步加劇了責任追究的複雜性。
【單字】
practitioners 從業者
accreditation 認證
statutory regulation 法定規範
第二段：
The dangers of this regulatory gap are evident in cases like Mike Lousada, a self-proclaimed therapist accused of sexual assault during a session. Though a civil court later ruled that his client had been unable to consent, he remains legally allowed to practice. Similarly, Thomas Plimmer, a former doctor struck off for misconduct, was able to continue working as a therapist under a different name.
此監管漏洞的危險性在一些案例中顯而易見，例如自稱為治療師的麥克·路薩達（Mike Lousada），他被指控在一次療程中性侵患者。雖然民事法庭後來裁定其客戶沒有能力去同意，但他仍然被法律允許繼續執業。同樣地，曾因不當行為被撤銷醫師資格的前醫生湯瑪斯·普林默（Thomas Plimmer），也能以不同的名字繼續從事治療師的工作。
【單字】
self-proclaimed 自稱
civil court 民事法庭
rule 裁定
practice 執業
strike(struck) off 撤銷
misconduct 不當行為
第三段：
Meanwhile, clinical psychologists in Britain undergo seven years of training to earn their title, yet unregulated practitioners can still serve as expert witnesses in custody cases, raising concerns about credibility.
與此同時，英國的臨床心理學家需要經過七年的培訓才能獲得這個頭銜，但未受監管的從業者仍然可以在監護案件中擔任專家證人，這引發了對其可信度的擔憂。
【單字】
clinical psychologists 臨床心理學家
expert witnesses 專家證人
custody cases 監護案件
credibility 可信度
第四段：
Other countries approach regulation differently: Austria, Germany, and Italy enforce strict rules, whereas nations like Albania and Portugal do not regulate psychotherapy titles. Britain last considered statutory regulation under a previous Labour government, but momentum stalled. Given the risks posed by unregulated therapists, statutory regulation is increasingly seen as necessary to protect vulnerable patients.
其他國家對於規範的方式有所不同：奧地利、德國和義大利實施嚴格的規定，而像阿爾巴尼亞和葡萄牙這樣的國家則不對心理治療師的頭銜進行規範。英國上一次考慮法定規範是在前工黨政府執政期間，但進展停滯不前。鑑於無執照治療師可能帶來的風險，法定規範越來越被認為是保護弱勢患者所必需的措施。
enforce: 實施
momentum stalled 停滯不前
given the 有鑒於
