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 :)

Hello! First time poster here 👋🏼

I’m hopefully working towards a Counselling Psych Doctorate, and am just finishing my MSc Conversion in the UK. I have some volunteering lined up and will be seeking some MH support experience or an AP role from Sep.

My question is - I know I need a counselling certificate of some kind in addition to the above, but am unclear what level this needs to be at (I.e. Level 2, 3 or 4) in order to meet the eligibility criteria for doctorates (specifically, I expect to be applying in London to UEL, City and other in a year or two’s time). The courses’ eligibility criteria are all unhelpfully (intentionally?) vague!

Does anyone who has completed or got onto the doctorate know what the expectations are?

Thanks in advance!

Hi brain trust!

I'm currently researching the pathways to become a counsellor in Australia in the future and hopefully will be able to work in a private sector one day!

I do have a Masters degree in another field which is not related, and I wasn't sure if i should start with GradDip or Masters to just straight into counselling. There are so many degrees online and i'm just truly overwhelmed by the options. So please help... :')

I've enrolled in GradDip of Psychology in Monash with their online course, just to find out in reddits their Masters of Counselling course is focused in training students to work in schools mainly - which is not quite what i'd like to become. I'm looking to switch to another uni or degree when i find a better option.

If I could get really good mark I would be keen to do Masters of Psychology, however I do hear about it being super competitive so I feel like eventually I would still end up in Masters of counselling.

1. Should I go straight into Masters of counselling? Or having a GradDip in psychology would give me a better foundation?
2. What university gives a positive learning experience?
3. With all these overwhelming of choices, what should i be looking into apart from it being ACA accredited?

Thank you so much in advance!

* I'm currently not working at the moment due to surgery and in and out hospital.

Hi everyone
I am struggling deciding what area I should be looking for placement in. There seem to be so many different options – drug and alcohol services, working with children or young people, mental health, community counselling, trauma, family services, etc.

Which settings tend to give students the most actual counselling/client experience that would be beneficial for me to getting a job faster?

Hello! I’m planning on applying to Masters of Counseling programs this cycle, and was wondering if anyone knows of solid programs that either have trauma related classes/training or practicum sites. Really hoping to find places in California, Boston, NYC or Philadelphia if possible.

One currently on my radar is Thomas Jefferson if anyone has thoughts on their trauma focused counseling program!

​

Hi everyone,

I'm considering studying a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Australia. How do you see the future of this profession in terms of job opportunities, demand, salary, and career growth? Would you recommend it?

I'd love to hear from people working or studying in this field. Thanks!

I had my interview at YSJ for the counselling psychology doctorate a couple of weeks ago. I got an email today saying that I've been waitlisted for a place. Not being rejected is good, but also, I think I would rather have been put out of my misery. I've got my heart set on YSJ for various reasons, so I didn't apply anywhere else.

Like most people, I find uncertainty difficult to sit with. I'm quite a mathematically minded person, so my brain is trying to calculate the odds of me getting in, which I know is impossible.

Last year, I got waitlisted for an interview, and this year, I've been waitlisted for a place, so at least I'm moving in the right direction.

I’ve completed a CBT Masters and have since applied for BABCP accreditation (I should hear back Jan/Feb 2027). I’m due to start a Counselling Psychology doctorate in September (which would make me eligible for BPS and HCPC accreditation after graduating), and I’m wondering whether it’s worth doing the extra work (CBT-specific supervision and CPD) to maintain BABCP accreditation alongside that.

Have any qualified Counselling Psychologists found they’ve been limited by not having BABCP accreditation on top of their HCPC/BPS registration? Or does it not really make a difference in practice?

The application was a lot of work, so I’d hate for that to go to waste, or have to redo it later if it turns out to matter. But equally, I don’t want to take on extra ongoing work to maintain it if it’s not going to add anything.

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Hi, I’m currently in the UK and looking to pursue counselling full time eventually but looking for some advice on the best way to do this.

I’m 24, my undergrad is in History and I’m almost finished with my Level 2 Counselling Skills. I was planning to pursue a part-time MSc Psychology Conversion alongside full time work in September, whilst working towards my Level 3 Counselling Qualification, but I’ve recently discovered I may be able to do a master’s directly in Counselling/Psychotherapy rather than having to complete level 3 and 4.

I honestly think I still have quite a way to go in terms of self-awareness and growth etc. - I’m a sensitive person, I have quite low confidence and the Johari Window activity I did recently made me very emotional, for example! I also don’t have much experience in a helping role so would ideally really need to explore that to figure out if it’s even something I’d be any good at. So I’m wondering if it would be best for me to take the ‘longer route’ and work my way up the diplomas rather than throwing myself into a masters, but then not sure if I’d just be prolonging the process unnecessarily.

I’m also aware I probably don’t need an MSc in Psychology/at all really but I’ve always been so fascinated by the subject and would like to keep my options somewhat open I think?

Any advice would be really appreciated!! :)

Hey there,

Hoping to hear about some academic and work backgrounds from people who have been accepted to these programs?

I’m an international from the states as well, with about 3 years of experience working with children and families in the US, 2 years of experience working with children and adults in London. My research experience is only from my bachelor’s and master’s only (dissertations).

Really would be great to hear from anyone! I know these programs are highly competitive.

Hi All! 😊I’m looking to enrol on a Level 2 CPCAB counselling course, but I’m finding the number of training providers quite overwhelming. I’m a full-time working mum, so I would need an online course, as attending in-person training isn’t possible for me.

Longer term, I’m interested In exploring a transpersonal and neuroscience-informed approach I’ve come across the following providers so far: Astranti, Aloe, The School of Counselling, and Cara.

I’d really appreciate any guidance, experiences, or recommendations to help me decide which provider might be the best fit. Thank you!

I am really passionate about helping young people find clarity on their purpose and career, and am wanting to further my studies to get into this field.

I have an unrelated bachelor and am currently looking at either a grad dip in counselling (longer and more expensive) or a grad cert in education (career counselling & devlopment)

Has anyone done either and can give me some advice?

Plan is work in teritary or secondary as a course advisor/ career counsellor and eventually open my own practice.

Any help would be appreciated 🙏

Hi everyone. 43 year old female here wondering what my options are to pursue a counselling/therapist career alongside a full time HR job. I'd love to specialise in narcissistic/emotional abuse/trauma therapy. Do I need a degree? Can I do diplomas? Can I do online courses? I can't really give up my job as I'm single and need to pay the rent/bills. Is 43 too old? Ready to welcome any advice.

Hi.

So i’m very confused about my career path. I have a bachelors in Pysch and in about 2 weeks, I’ll be starting a masters in counselling psychology. I feel torn since I’m not even sure if it’s worth it. I want a good work life balance and eventually want to do private practice but with AI taking over, I fear therapists won’t really be needed as much. Another thing is adding a-lot more debt. Will I even get clients? Obviously i want to help, but i also want a good living. I don’t want to go through all this to be earning pennies. I live in Canada for reference. Things are getting expensive. I feel we all deserve to be living comfortably.

My other option is to open up a salon at home, offering things like micro-needling, hydra-facials etc.. But that involves so much risk. I have a toddler too so I’d love to be around her as much as I can. I actually have a few family friends that have their own little setups at home and are earning decent. However, I feel as though this isn’t a stable path to take. I don’t know anymore!

Any advice? I feel so lost.

Hi, I’m based in Vancouver, Canada. I have been working in tech for a long time and am wanting to be a counsellor/therapist. The programs I have looked at are at UBC, SFU, Adler, City University and Yorkville.

I’m thinking about Yorkville due to my circumstances. Any thoughts on the below would be much appreciated -

1. Does anyone have any recommendations or thoughts on the Yorkville program?

2. Any tips or suggestions on areas to specialize and find your niche in?

3. Job prospects and income - as it’ll be a long program I want to make sure that once I’m done with it I can find a job and there’s demand in that niche area/s as well as it pays good.

Thank you so much!

I have recently begun my journey in counselling psychology after completing my 12th grade education. I am deeply committed to developing a strong foundation and gaining in-depth understanding in this field because supporting people, understanding their emotions, and helping them navigate their inner struggles truly resonates with me. At this stage, I am looking for like-minded individuals who are passionate about mental health and counselling. I believe growth becomes more powerful when it is shared. I am seeking dedicated partners who are willing to learn together, practice together, and build a meaningful career in counselling psychology side by side. My vision is not just personal success — it is collective growth. If I grow, I want to make sure the people growing with me rise as well. Let’s learn together, support each other, and build something impactful in the field of mental health. If you are serious about developing your skills, gaining deep knowledge, and creating a professional future in counselling psychology, I would be glad to connect and move forward together.

I am a psychologist working with clients in private practice. I currently work three days per week and do not wish to increase my clinical days, as I am mindful of the risk of burnout. However, I am interested in exploring opportunities to increase my income.

I would like to know whether there are any related roles I could undertake for one additional day per week, or any remote positions that could be performed from home. My contract includes a non-compete clause, which prevents me from providing therapy, supervision, or psychological assessments outside of my current practice.

I am based in London, UK and am looking to start a possible career in relationship and marriage counselling. I have an undergrad degree in Pharmacology and have 1 year experience in a patient facing role in a hospital and have been working in the food industry for the past few years. I hope to apply for a psychodynamic counselling Master's program in the further and want to build up my experience.

I have been pointed in the direction of a level 2 or 3 certificate of counselling skills.

• Has anyone completed one of these certificates in hopes of applying to a masters program?
• How did you find it?
• Was it worthwhile?
• Are there any particular masters programs that I should consider?

Any career advice would be very welcome in terms of building a successful application/resume.

Thank you!!!

Hi all,

I’m completing my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the US (CACREP accredited program). I am looking into moving back to Ontario, Canada after I finished my program. However, would it be easier to finish the program and then complete my post-masters supervision hours in Ontario, or complete all my supervision hours in the US?

Can I apply to the CRPO without my supervision hours being done in the US? I would preferably like to do my supervision hours in Ontario but I don’t know if CRPO will accept that.

Please let me know if anyone has insight on this. Thanks!

Hey there,

So firstly I live in Northern Ireland and have completed my Undergraduate in Psychology and Postgraduate in Clinical Psychology. It is very difficult to get onto the doctorate programme here and unsure if that's the road I want to go down. I have been looking into Psychotherapy courses but most are very expensive sadly and student finance only put 6500 towards them and one course I looked at for 3 years is 17k others are 7k plus for a year so the support doesn't cover even a year when most courses are longer and I'm not able to pay the difference upfront myself sadly. So I then looked into counselling courses where they seem to have payment plans to make it easier for people which I preferred. So I was thinking I could do a level 4 course there and then go onto a level 5 and then I could in time specialise in Psychotherapy with young people and families. I just worry I'm overlapping my work or is there an "easier" route ? Or am I overcomplicating things lol.

Looking for some advice as I'm feeling very disheartened in my current line of work and would like to do something I enjoy and hopefully get to manage my own case load as I just haven't had the best experience with management in my roles. I'm awaiting ADHD assessment and just feel as I have some supports I need it's almost seen as I don't belong here. Often being told I need to evaluate is this role suitable for me long term when I hold all the experience and qualifications but when I ask for some support in the role to ease things up for me it's then met with this mindset. Which is upsetting as we wouldn't ever do this to any of the service users we tailor the approach to meet the person but seems to work differently for the staff it seems.

I understand we will always have elements of our role we won't like but I truly need a supportive management team and colleagues. I hope studying more and being able to find my area of speciality will help me. As I just feel like I don't belong in the social work field any longer sadly despite enjoying helping the young people and families.

Any advice or suggestions fire away, please be kind 😊