Why choose a BACP counsellor?

There’s never been an easier time to find a counsellor than right now. The increasing awareness of mental health issues has meant that more and more ways to find a counsellor have been created.

Overall, this can only be a good thing, but it does come with a potential drawback for people looking for help; how do I know where to start looking for the right counsellor for me?

When I was looking for a counsellor in my mid 20’s, like most people, I wanted to ensure that my counsellor met the highest criteria possible. I wanted them to be held by a code of conduct and to be associated with the UK’s most reputable governing body. This led me to the BACP. I found their counselling directory and the rest is history. There are many excellent counsellors who do not register with the BACP for many reasons. However, for me I wanted that reassurance that my counsellor was required to meet a certain criterion to work. That is what the BACP ensures; that your therapist meets a specific standard, not only in training but in their willingness to undertake CPD. The minimum is 30 hours of CPD per year. I managed to complete somewhere in the region of three times that amount last year.

When I decided to begin training to be a counsellor, I adopted the same thought process I did when choosing a counsellor; what is the BACP standard and go from there. I used their list of accredited courses and made my choice.

So why choose a BACP counsellor? Because in my eyes BACP acknowledgement is the highest form of approval you can ask for when looking for a counsellor.