How do I train to be a counsellor / psychotherapist?
At the moment there is not a standard route for those wishing to train to be a counsellor / psychotherapist. Training usually takes a minimum of three to four years on a part time basis – this isusually made up of a one year introductory course plus a two year practitioner training or a completed four year training. However, as the profession is due to be regulatedin 2011/12 this will have an impact on those who are embarking on a training soon. The regulator for counsellors / psychotherapists (the Health Professions Council) will decide upon a threshold level of qualification for the profession. At the moment this piece of work is not complete and we therefore cannot tell you what academic level practitioner training course to be looking for, however we hope to have more information on this over the course of the next twelve months. We would therefore suggest that if you wish to pursue a career in this field that you enrol on an introductory course. If at the end of your initial studi
