Counselling Qualifications explained

In the UK, anyone can call themselves a therapist, counsellor or a life coach, and they may be very good at what they do but unfortunately there are some that cause harm. The easiest way to check if someone is trained to a good standard is to find out if they are registered with a membership organisation, such as:

  • BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
  • UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy)
  • NCPS (The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society)

There are other membership organisations but these are the most common ones. If a therapist is registered or accredited it means they have undertaken years of training. The most common route is through a Level 4 Diploma or Degree course.

Please consider there is a risk involved in working with a counsellor who is not a current member of a recognised membership organisation.

Level 2 - Counselling Skills

This is equivalent to GCSE study and is a good introduction to the world of counselling and active listening.

Level 3 - Counselling Theory

Building on Level 2, Counselling Theory introduces more on the theories involved in counselling such as psychodynamic and person-centred counselling, whilst honing listening skills. It's equivalent to A-Levels.

Level 4 - Counselling Diploma (2 yrs part time)

This is the most common route for counsellors to qualify and they must have completed Levels 2 and 3 first. The Diploma is equivalent to the first two years of a degree course. It is an intensive course which prepares counsellors thoroughly.

Once counsellors pass the Diploma they are regarded as qualified to see clients. They may go on to do a Level 5, Level 6 or Level 7 course. Level 7 is equivalent to a Masters (MSc) degree. 

Degree level and beyond

Some people choose another route to qualification, e.g. a BSc in Counselling or a specialist course such as play therapy or art therapy. 

Some counsellors work towards being accredited (a sign that they have undertaken years of work with clients and reached a certain level) but many choose not to. 

All counsellors must undertake Continued Professional Development (CPD) every year to keep up-to-date on the latest theories.

 

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