Please scroll down to add your personal tributes and commemorative messages of Phil below.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our much-loved colleague, Dr Philip Cox, who passed away on 20th November 2023 after a series of illnesses.
Phil left school with few qualifications, but his intelligence, curiosity to learn, and determination to better himself enabled him to access an education that became his pathway out of a challenging life, culminating in completing a doctorate in counselling psychology in 2017.
Phil was a social activist, working with students and supporting marginalised groups and progressive projects, creating meaningful connections with BAATN, BACP, UKCP, Pink Therapy and many other organisations, expanding mutual learning. Phil was a founding member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU), founded in 2016, which was set up to stand up for therapists and the future of therapy. Phil’s special interest – unintended harm in psychotherapy, underpinned his support and advocacy for PCU members who faced fitness to practice and training issues. He brought a deep understanding of how the shadow can operate in destructive and self-sabotaging ways and the intersections of law, ethics and therapies. Phil’s philosophy was that by supporting therapists, we support clients.
Phil was eager and passionate to share his knowledge and expertise with the BAATN Complaints Group for the last two years. The Complaints Group was set up to support therapists and students of colour going through or considering a complaint. His contribution to the group’s work and knowledge has been invaluable, and his legacy will continue to have a huge impact into the future.
Phil was a courageous writer, researcher, and presenter, stretching the notions of traditional psychotherapies and often challenging us to think about our shadows and prejudices. His work in the field of complaints recently culminated in the chapter that he penned, ‘Uses, misuses and abuses of fitness to practice processes’ in Adah Sachs and Valerie Sinason’s book ‘The Psychotherapist and the Professional Complaint’. Phil also co-wrote the chapter, ‘The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union: Therapists Supporting Therapists through Complaints Processes – Emergent Learning and New Possibilities for Regulatory Change’.
Everything Phil did, he did with humility, a unique sense of humour and a strong drive toward social justice. His vibrant, engaging, emphatic personality shone throughout his work and relationships. Phil will be a huge loss to the counselling and psychotherapy community, BAATN and everyone who knew him. We send our condolences to his partner, Juliet Lyons, his friends and his family.
A celebration of Phil the man and his work will soon be announced.
Warm blessings
Eugene Ellis