Counselling as a profession

How do you know your counsellor is a professional with appropriate training? It can be hard to check when there are different training routes, membership bodies and directories. Here are a few of the facts.

Anyone can call themselves a counsellor

Titles such as ‘counsellor’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are not what is known as ‘protected titles’ in the UK. This sets them apart from the likes of medical doctors, physiotherapists, arts therapists, dieticians or podiatrists – these are all protected titles and it is illegal to call yourself one without undergoing appropriate training that allows you to join a professional register. Anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist regardless of training or experience.

So what training could my counsellor have had?

There are routes that are generally recognised as providing enough training and experience for people to practise as counsellors. These usually involve a course at a minimum of a Level 4, but possibly up to level 7, that includes 100 hours of experience of providing counselling on a placement. It’s sometimes known as core practitioner training. Level 4 is equivalent to the first year of a university undergraduate, or bachelor’s, degree. Level 7 is Masters degree level. Level 2 and 3 courses, often available at local colleges, are usually done in preparation for this practitioner training, or by people who may use counselling skills as part of a different job such as support work.

How do I know if my counsellor has training?

It may be listed on their website or directory entry, otherwise you can ask. Some directories, such as the BACP and Counselling Directory require evidence before listing a practitioner. If you’re worried, you could ask to see the documentary evidence in the form of a certificate from their training provider. Some of the organisations they could belong to will require evidence of core practitioner training.

Isn’t there a professional organisation?

Yes and no. There are several organisations counsellors can choose to become members of. Membership of any is voluntary. There is no single official professional organisation overseeing practitioners. There is currently a lot of disagreement about the role these organisations play. Many of the membership organisations will require members to have undergone recognised training routes, abide by a code of ethics and have a certain level of supervision in place.

Why is this all so confusing?

There is a great deal of controversy and debate over the regulation of counselling and psychotherapy. Some believe that compulsory regulation would stifle innovation and distort the natural connection between two human beings, among other potential downsides. And some think that the whole thing is a bureaucratic money-making machine for the membership bodies. On the other hand, membership bodies do require members to have recognised training, adequate supervision and to adhere to an ethical code – and give clients somewhere to complain to if they believe they have experienced unethical or harmful practice.

What can I do?

You can check what training a counsellor has, whether they are a member of an organisation with an ethical code, whether they have insurance and whether they are in regular supervision. It may say some of this on their profiles on directories, or you can ask. If they haven’t had the more generally recognised training, they should be willing to discuss their reasons for this with you and what makes them appropriately skilled and experienced.