I believe it can be confusing when looking for the right counsellor to suit your needs. Apart from all the ‘counselling language’, different approaches and training models, like Integrative Counselling, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Person-Centred Therapy to debunk, there’s also the important question of – How well qualified and experienced is this counsellor?
Anyone Can Be a Counsellor
In the UK, the words “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” are not legally protected, meaning that an individual without any formal training can legally advertise and work as a counsellor or psychotherapist, which is worrying.
What Do the BACP Aim to Contribute
To bridge this gap, the British Association for Counsellors was formed in 1977 and went on to include psychotherapists in the year 2000, changing the name to the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
The organisation holds a charitable status and dedicates its aims, as seen on their website, ‘to promote and provide education and training for counsellors and commissioning research or campaigning.
We do this by promoting and facilitating research to produce trusted best practice, and by providing a robust framework to ensure the profession follows and adheres to the highest possible standards that protect individuals seeking therapy.
As a result, we help the general public, individuals and commissioners make better, more informed choices about the provision of counselling, and continue to raise the ethical and professional standards of the profession’. (www.BACP.co.uk)
What Does This Mean for an Individual Seeking Counselling
The BACP is recognised as the leading accreditation body for counselling training, and to become a BACP registered counsellor, one of the accredited courses must be fulfilled. Completing a BACP accredited course ensures ‘appropriate high-quality practitioner training and the qualification has been externally verified as meeting stringent training, practice and quality assurance criteria.’
Does This Guarantee the Counselling Service
I feel it’s important to add that BACP registration does not guarantee a quality service from the counsellor you choose. As a BACP Counsellor in Wimborne, I offer a 15-minute complimentary call or online meeting, which gives both myself and the client an opportunity to gain a sense of each other.
Evidence shows that a counsellor can have the full skill set, but the best documented outcomes are seen when these skills are embedded in a good therapeutic alliance. In other words, if you get a good feeling from your initial contact, then it sounds hopeful.
The BACP Framework to Protect the Client
As a BACP counsellor, I choose to adhere to the organisation’s ethical framework, which includes 3 main sections:
- Our commitment to clients
- Ethics
- Good Practice
As a client, you can expect that BACP counsellors have throughout their study had to refer to, discuss, and write about their understanding of the elements within these three main sections and the impact they can have upon the client therapeutic relationship. It ensures that we know the standards required to ensure your safety and best outcomes.
CPD, Supervision and Personal Therapy
Keeping up to date with new research and learning is so important in the fast-paced society that we live in, and as a BACP member, we are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year.
Members are also required to complete monthly supervision. In this space, a counsellor meets with their appointed supervisor, who has completed further training for this supervisory role. This ongoing relationship facilitates a space for raising questions, asking for support, insight, ideas, accountability, and an opportunity for the counsellor to be appropriately challenged for the intention of improving the client work.
Although not a requirement once training is completed, I am a strong believer in the benefits of remaining in personal therapy. This counselling relationship supports my self-care and helps me to grow personally and professionally.
Conclusion
My counselling training involved learning about a set of skills, models, and philosophies whilst embarking on a long internal search of self and reflection, so the learning is personally experienced first hand.
Many individuals may think that they are a counsellor and offer this type of service without BACP accredited training, but until they’ve completed an accredited course with benchmarks and high standards, they are missing the essence of counselling, the full potential of the therapeutic relationship, and sadly, possibly misleading clients seeking a professional service.
BACP counsellors can register to be listed in the public BACP register found online, and they will receive a copy of their unique membership number.
If you would like help with any counselling enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact me and ask about any concerns or questions you may have.
