Talking therapies
Counsellors, psychotherapists and CBT practitioners are trained professionals who encourage clients to talk about their feelings and emotions.
It is essential that you learn the core counselling skills to listen and support a person without judgement or criticism. The aim is to help people gain a better understanding of their feelings and thought processes, to find their own solutions to problems.
Counselling often refers to short-term talk therapy, focussing on helping a person find solutions to current issues or challenges they are facing.
Psychotherapy is typically a more in-depth, long-term process that focuses on a person's feelings and past experiences and desire to achieve personal growth.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that helps patients change negative patterns of thinking or behaviour.
Training
Many trained healthcare professionals such as psychologists, social workers, nurses, or occupational therapists may decide to transition into a therapy role.
Although there's no compulsory training required to become a talk therapist, it is expected that you have undertaken relevant professional training to at least Level 4 Diploma. CBT therapists usually need to have completed an accredited postgraduate course in cognitive behavioural therapy.
It’s also important to be registered with a relevant professional association, which shows you meet certain educational standards, undertake continued professional development, and abide by a code of ethics.
Regulation
Although this field is not regulated in the UK, several professional bodies have registers that are accredited by theProfessional Standards Authority (PSA). Joining an accredited register demonstrates commitment to high standards and public protection within the industry.
Professional Bodies accredited by the PSA:
- Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC)
- Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (AREBT)
- Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT)
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
- Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA)
- Human Givens Institute (HGI)
- National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- Play Therapy UK (PTUK)
- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
More professional bodies:
- Addiction Professionals
- Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP)
- Association of Core Process Psychotherapists (ACPP)
- Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
- College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
- European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT)
- Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
- National Register for Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists (NRHP)
- UK Association of Humanistic Psychology Practitioners (UKAHPP)
- Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA)
Browse other occupations
Latest news and articles
View the latest posts from our blog, The Harmonia Hub, and news from across the industry.
Essential Career Tips for Mental Health Professionals
13/10/2024
Working in the field of mental health can make a significant impact, and the need for skilled professionals is growing...
Training in CBT: A Professional Guide
14/10/2024
Find out how to effectively navigate your training and career as a cognitive behavioural therapist...
We need person-centred mental health care
10/10/2024
Dr Jennifer Poole says a less medicalised approach using therapists would be more effective...