How to Choose an Authentic Counsellor (or How Not to Pick a Bad One)
When looking for a counsellor, you may see a variety of different qualification levels and types, but in this blog we look at the most important things to consider in relation to what these credentials mean and what you need to look out for, so that you can make a safe and informed choice.
This summary of a BBC investigation is a concerning fact about the counselling professions in the UK; without statutory regulation, like nursing and the allied health professions, there is no minimum requirement of training required to become a counsellor. In fact, anybody can technically market themselves a counsellor and be legally entitled to do so, regardless of training and experience (Health & Care Professions Council, 2020). The unsettling implication of this is that people have sought help for mental health through unverified channels and have been damaged by input from unskilled and inexperienced so-called 'therapists' (Tait, 2021). While I understand the argument for keeping counselling unregulated, this is undoubtedly one of the drawbacks that the profession faces on the whole and that clients should be aware of.
So when you're looking at counsellors/therapists, what do you need to know to make sure you're in safe hands?
The first bit of good news, is that the BBC's summary is inaccurate. Qualifications are not meaningless, because the quality of qualifications and the institutions where they come from differ in quality and rigour. Professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy recognise the education and experience needed to ensure their members have undergone necessary preparation to work safely and productively with others and can apply. The courses accepted by professional bodies necessarily require that the counsellor undergoes actual work experience in an organisation (National Counselling Society, 2023). Qualifications from universities are much more rigorous than online from-home courses for this reason, which leads me onto the other bit of good news: qualification is only one half of the story, because accreditation is a crucial factor.
'There are no laws against anyone [unqualified] operating as a therapist, psychotherapist or a counsellor in the UK. Cheap online courses allow you to cheat to complete them, meaning qualifications are often meaningless'
(BBC, 2020)
The Problem...
Despite being unregulated, you can tell a reliable and accountable counsellor if they are a member of a professional body for counselling and psychotherapy. The two most popular in the UK are the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, and The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, but there are others too. Why is this important?
Professional bodies hold their members to training and experience standards, put in place a motion that means counsellors are meeting regularly with supervisors for support, and provide an ethical framework that counsellors subscribe to. When you choose a counsellor who is a member of a professional body, it means that you can hold them against a standard, and in the event where you are unhappy with your experience, you have an organisation to contact that will investigate into the issue, and if justified put in place consequences against members who turn to unethical and inappropriate practice (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2020; National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, 2023).
And finally, consider the work experience of the counsellor. Have they worked with clients through reliable and trustworthy organisations that you can look up yourself? Registered charities and mental health and social services are a positive sign. Like any other field, real experience is gained through practice, and if you go through the professional body channels that require members to have accumulated a number of hours of work experience, you automatically ensure that you are contacting somebody with a background of experience.
The Hallmark of Safe Counsellors
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (2020) Government update on statutory regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists.
Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2020/6-march-government-update-on-statutory-regulation-of-counsellors-and-psychotherapists/
British Broadcasting Company (2020) Can anyone call themself a therapist or a counsellor? Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-51273607
Health & Care Professions Council (2020) Why aren't more professions regulated? Available at: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/news-and-events/blog/2020/why-arent-more-professions-regulated/
National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (2023) Accredited Professional Registrant. Available at: https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org/become-a-member/individual/accredited-professional-registrant-1#:~:text=At%20a%20minimum%2C%20in%20order,year%20full%20time%20or%20two
Tait, A. (2021) 'It was devastating': what happens when therapy makes things worse? Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/17/it-was-devastating-what-happens-when-therapy-makes-things-worse
References
Go through a regulated counselling and psychotherapy registers who only accept accredited practitioners (like Counselling Directory) or look on the NCS directory for trained counsellors
Is the counsellor transparent about their education and qualification background? Do not feel like you are unable to ask for this information - get in touch if it is not clear. By NCS standards, the qualification level should be an Ofqual level 4 diploma or equivalent.
You can access the ethical framework from the professional body your counsellor subscribes to. You will find this as a free download on the professional body website, and you can always refer to this and expect your counsellor to uphold the principles - such as this one from the NCS.
Consider doing some research into the type of counselling and therapy you are looking at - does its, style, methods, or approach fit with you and your expectations?
Remember: you have a right as a paying client to hold your counsellor or therapist to a standard. The option to cease working with an individual who you judge is causing you harm always remains with you.
