Find NCPS Accredited courses
Recognised training means trusted standards — giving you the qualifications you need to become a counsellor.
Meet the standards for NCPS membership
Courses we recognise have been independently assessed to ensure they are safe, ethical, and delivered to a high standard.
Easy to use directory
Use the NCPS Directory to explore recognised training providers and find the right course for you.
Are you thinking of training as a counsellor?
Choosing the right course can be confusing. A good course should balance theory and skills training, support both personal and professional development, and ideally be recognised by a professional body such as the NCPS.
We have put together some helpful guidance that you can download below.
Course types and qualifications
We have various types of course recognition. In order to become a fully-qualified counsellor you will need to enrol on an Accredited course that has been through a full assessment and inspection and meets our Standards of Training.
Accredited
Accredited Courses have been through a full assessment and inspection and meets our Standards of Training and Education. Graduates will have fulfilled the training requirements to join our Accredited Register.
Accredited Plus
Courses must meet our Standards of Training and Education that include SCoPEd Column A and B competencies.
Successful graduates will be able to apply to join our Accredited Register. Accredited Plus courses are also a route to Accredited Professional Registrant membership once all other remaining criteria for this membership has been met.
Advanced Professional
Aimed at qualified counsellor & psychotherapists who wish to enhance their theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in order to evidence criteria required for Accredited Professional Registrant PNCPS (Acc). membership.
Advanced Specialist
Offers extensive support to qualified practitioners in developing a specialist area of work, for example, working with Children and Young People or Counselling Supervision. It does not in itself provide a route to our Register.
Quality Checked
A shorter or more specialised course which does not in itself provide a route to our Register but which offers valuable experience and may in some cases be used for Continuing Professional Development.
FAQs about training
All the courses listed in this section have been awarded either Accredited, Advanced Specialist or Quality Checked recognition by the NCPS. The Society cannot recommend a specific training provider or course and we advise you to take time to research all courses to help you make a decision.
We would advise you to contact the training provider you are interested in – they can advise on any grants or funding that may be available.
There are many different approaches to counselling and as many routes to becoming a counsellor. This is reflected in the large variety of courses that are available. If you know what you want to do in the future, find out what qualifications you will ultimately need and then work back from there. For example what type of clients do you want to work with? Do you want to work full time or part time? Do you want to work in private practice or another forum?
Counselling is not regulated in the UK and there are currently no plans for statutory regulation so there are no ‘regulated’ courses as such. Professional bodies like the NCPS recognise some courses as being safe, ethical and delivered competently, and as providing their graduates with enough training to join their Accredited Register of practitioners. Our register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, providing an additional assurance of quality.
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