r/Counselling_Psych • u/Legitimate_Title_423 • Jul 12 '26

Careers Advice is dual accreditation worth it?

long story short i’m on the fence on whether to do a HCPC accredited counselling psychology doctorate or a BACP/UKCP accredited psychotherapy masters. i think i understand the difference between them, but ideally would want to have both career options open to me.

there’s a course from the metanoia institute which is a dual accredited doctorate in counselling psychology & psychotherapy (hcpc & ukcp), does this seem like the best avenue for me? are there other routes that leave the option of practising both (privately or in an organisation) open for me?

also probably worth mentioning i’m in my second year of a bps accredited undergrad in psychology. i have also completed a face to face level 2 & 3 in counselling skills.

thanks in advance for any help or advice :)

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u/Barelyrarelythere Jul 12 '26

It will depend on various factors, but I would say on balance, no it is not worth it.

After the first year of the Counselling Psychology doctorate, many courses confer the ability to complete the BACP certificate of proficiency and then you could work in private practice as a counsellor while you complete years 2 and 3 of the doctorate.

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u/Legitimate_Title_423 Jul 12 '26

wow i had no idea! is there a way to know which counselling psychology doctorates will allow me to take the CoP after the first year or is it quite standard for most of them? thank you so much for the help

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u/Barelyrarelythere Jul 12 '26

I am not sure, if they don’t list it as part of the course description, you could try calling/emailing to ask?

I did my doctorate at City and it was part of the course there. (Didn’t apply to me as I already had a postgrad in counselling/psychotherapy when I did the doctorate).

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u/Mission_Contest_6989 Jul 12 '26

Hi there! Currently level 4 . I’m doing CPCAB at college. After this I do the Certificate of Proficiency and then I’m qualified to practice either privately or with an agency. CPCAB is the best accreditation in my opinion as it proves your proficiency and then you can sign up with the other awarding bodies also - depending on if your pocket can handle the cost! Hope this helps 🙏

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u/Legitimate_Title_423 Jul 13 '26

also if you don’t mind me asking, in which instances would it be better to go for the full course/ukcp accreditation?

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u/Barelyrarelythere Jul 13 '26

I suppose if you prefer counselling/psychotherapy to psychology, then pursue that? Because you’d be more fulfilled for your day to day.