England

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Accessibility statement
Increased awareness of mental health through the media has resulted in the subject becoming less taboo, and the therapeutic value of counselling is becoming increasingly recognised. The need for private counsellors also continues to grow.
As a counsellor, you could work in any of the following areas:
To practise as a counsellor, employers will require you to have undertaken professional training, and you’ll need a counselling qualification at foundation degree/diploma level to join a professional body or to become accredited.
Training as a counsellor involves a combination of theoretical study and practical experience, but you don’t need a degree to become a counsellor.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and most other professional bodies require counsellors who are working with clients to receive supervision from another qualified practitioner. Some courses require students to have had therapy themselves or to be in therapy during their training. This is not only so you can experience therapy from the client’s point of view, but also for personal development and to help you cope with issues and emotions raised when counselling others.
We offer the following degree courses that can help you acquire the knowledge and understanding to underpin your counselling qualification for the most effective counselling practice. However, if taken without counselling training, these degrees do not qualify you to practise as a counsellor:
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS):
Not accredited by the BPS:
Our continuing professional development (CPD) counselling courses are for counsellors, therapists, and those in training who wish to develop skills and knowledge in online therapy, trauma-informed counselling, and advanced therapeutic relationships. Created by leading academics and aligned with the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) B competencies, these offer flexibility to start anytime and learn at your own pace.
Explore our counselling CPD courses.
If you’re not quite ready for degree-level study, our Psychology, social science and wellbeing Access module (Y034) could be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s designed to build your confidence and study skills while introducing ideas and debates about psychology, childhood and youth, early years, health and social wellbeing, sport, education, and social sciences. By the end of the module, you’ll be well prepared to take on further OU study.
Level info