NCS | Training to become a Counsellor

We have officially changed our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society!

Information for members

As of the 15th of May 2023, we have officially changed our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

Our new and improved website is coming soon!

There are many different types of counselling training available through various recognised training providers. When you first start to look at the options available the choice can seem extensive and this can feel a little overwhelming.

A good 'rule of thumb', and the suggestion offered by the National Counselling Society (NCS) is that if you wish to work professionally as a counsellor then you should choose a course that be enables you to apply to be on an Accredited Register once you have completed your studies. Such courses usually state that they have been 'accredited' by a professional and/or academic body. Commonly, courses that can lead to registration include a balance of theoretical study and skills training as well as experiential learning and professional development. A supervised professional placement, with a requirement that a minimum of 100 client hours is completed, is a key feature of this level of professional training.

Training to be a counsellor requires a substantial investment of time and money and you should choose carefully. Additional factors you may want to consider when choosing a training course are:

" What is the time commitment?

" Do you want to study full time or part time?

" Your budget - and payment options available

" What qualification will you get at the end of the course?

" Is this qualification recognised by a professional body like National Counselling Society or a government body like Ofqual?

The National Counselling Society has a directory of training courses, offered by trusted training providers, that may be able to offer the right course for you.

Click on the following link to search for courses that are recognised by the National Counselling Society: https://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/become-a-counsellor/

  • Find a Counsellor

    Find the help you need...If you are a potential client looking for a counsellor, you may search our registrants by location or name and you can also check whether someone is on the NCPS accredited register. A member of the Society may be a Registrant or a non-registrant member.

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  • Train as a Counsellor

    Use our Find a Course tool to find the nearest training providers who offer National Counselling Society Accredited, Advanced Specialist, Quality Checked or CPD courses. These courses are currently run across the the UK.

    Find Out More