Appendix: Comparison of current training and practice requirements of BACP, BPC and UKCP
| A. Qualified counsellor | B. Advanced qualified counsellor and psychotherapist | C. Psychotherapist | ||
| counsellor | accredited counsellor | psychotherapeutic counsellor | psychotherapist | |
| Length of training | 1 year full time or 2 years part time Hours not specified |
450 face-to-face hours | 450 face-to-face hours Not less than 3 years |
500 face-to-face hours minimum (BPC and UKCP) 4 years minimum |
| Client hours | 100 | 450 (including hours gained during training) Over not less than 3 years |
450 (including hours gained during training) |
450 minimum (BPC and UKCP) |
| Academic level | Varied | 4 to 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Supervision post- qualification | ‘appropriate’ | 1.5 hours per month minimum | 1.5 hours per month | 1.5 hours per month (UKCP varies by modality, but typically 1.5 hours per month) |
| Supervision in training | 1:8 - 1 hour of supervision for every 8 hours of counselling or psychotherapy conducted with clients or patients Not less than 1.5 hours per month |
1.5 hours per month minimum | BPC: 1:3 - 1 hour of supervision for every 3 hours of counselling or psychotherapy conducted with clients or patients UKCP: 1:6 - 1 hour of supervision for every 6 hours of counselling or psychotherapy conducted with clients or patients |
BPC: 1:3 - 1 hour of supervision for every 3 hours of psychotherapy conducted with clients or patients UKCP: Usually 1:6 - 1 hour of supervision for every 6 hours of psychotherapy conducted with clients or patients Not specified by all colleges |
| Type of placement (during training) | Not private practice | Not private practice | BPC: Mental health familiarisation: Psychiatric placement experience (generally required) UKCP: not defined but basic mental health familiarisation must be covered |
BPC: Mental health familiarisation: Psychiatric placement experience (generally required) UKCP: Mental health familiarisation: required but not necessarily via placement. Psychiatric placement experience: some colleges request this |
| Personal therapy | n/a | Not stated as personal therapy, classed as personal development | BPC: Psychodynamic psychotherapist, Jungian psychotherapist or counsellor 200 hours minimum of personal therapy UKCP: 105 hours of personal therapy |
BPC: Psychoanalytic psychotherapist, psychoanalyst or Jungian analyst 500 hours minimum of personal therapy UKCP: Range 160 to 250 hours plus (as personal therapy or personal development) |