Pathways from psychotherapeutic counsellor to psychotherapist
Essential information on moving from column B to column C of the SCoPEd framework
UKCP is committed to supporting clear, transparent and fair pathways for members to progress in their professional careers. If you are a UKCP-registered adult psychotherapeutic counsellor (column B in the SCoPEd framework) and are considering becoming an adult psychotherapist (column C in the SCoPEd framework), this page explains the current pathways and what to expect.
The SCoPEd framework
The SCoPEd framework currently applies to adult psychotherapeutic practice.
Members who successfully become a psychotherapist through these pathways will continue to hold their psychotherapeutic counsellor title alongside their psychotherapist title.
While the SCoPEd framework currently applies to adult psychotherapeutic practice, there are also some UKCP organisational members (OMs) who offer child accrediting pathways. These provide an opportunity for UKCP child psychotherapeutic counsellors – as well as UKCP members who hold an adult qualification and have significant experience working with infants, children or young people, or who have completed additional (non UKCP-accredited) child training – to apply for and gain the title of UKCP child psychotherapist. You can read further info here.
What is the SCoPEd framework and what does moving from column B to column C mean?
The SCoPEd framework is a shared framework created by the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB) that sets out agreed competences, training standards and scope of practice for adult psychotherapeutic practice. Competences are mapped across three columns (A, B and C) reflecting different levels of training, practice and responsibility. Further information about the framework is available on the PCBP website.
Within UKCP:
- adult psychotherapeutic counsellors are aligned to column B
- adult psychotherapists are aligned to column C.
Moving from column B to column C means meeting the standards of education, training and practice required of a UKCP adult psychotherapist, aligned to level seven (master’s level) psychotherapy training.
To achieve the necessary standards for column C, you must either:
- access a top-up psychotherapy diploma, or
- contact your training provider or another accrediting organisation and demonstrate how you've continued learning and developing to meet the adult psychotherapy SETs (standards of education and training) for your relevant UKCP college.
Current routes for UKCP adult psychotherapeutic counsellors to become UKCP adult psychotherapists
At present, accrediting routes to move from psychotherapeutic counsellor (column B) to psychotherapist (column C) are available through some UKCP colleges that accredit and regulate UKCP organisational members (OMs) that offer adult accrediting pathways.
Here are the details of colleges/accrediting organisations offering pathways from psychotherapeutic counsellor to adult psychotherapist:
Availability of routes may change and is subject to UKCP approval processes. Members may progress through more than one college and may therefore belong to multiple colleges.
What do the pathways usually involve?
Requirements vary depending on the pathway and accrediting organisation but must include:
- additional supervised clinical practice
- further supervision hours
- completion of a research project or dissertation
- further personal therapeutic work (personal therapy hours and group therapy)
- level seven qualification (minimum) with at least four years of training, plus evidence of meeting level seven learning outcomes.
Where elements have already been completed at column B level, these may count via accreditation or recognition of prior learning, subject to limits and timeframes.
Some UKCP organisational members already deliver psychotherapeutic counsellor (column B) trainings at level seven. In these cases, becoming a psychotherapist may involve fewer additional requirements as they have already been substantially met (for example, the NHS Pathways Project). In such cases, pathways may focus on completing any outstanding UKCP requirements.
Fictional example
This composite example illustrates how a route to move from adult psychotherapeutic counsellor (SCoPEd column B) to adult psychotherapist (column C) may work in practice.
Alex is a UKCP-registered psychotherapeutic counsellor (SCoPEd column B) who is considering becoming a psychotherapist (column C). Alex is currently registered with the Constructivist and Existential College (CEC). CEC doesn’t offer a route to become a psychotherapist, but Alex identifies that a suitable route is available via the the Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College (HIPC).
As a first step, Alex reviews the information published by HIPC on UKCP’s website to understand the college’s standards, expectations and framework. This helps Alex confirm that the HIPC pathway aligns with their modality and professional development goals.
HIPC’s route is delivered through an adult accrediting organisation. Alex contacts the accrediting organisation to request detailed guidance on the process, including application requirements, timelines and assessment methods.
The accrediting organisation advises that applicants must demonstrate how their existing psychotherapeutic counsellor (column B) training and any additional training and experience meets level seven requirements, and explains any additional requirements needed to become an adult psychotherapist (column C), such as a research dissertation, further continuing professional development (CPD) hours or additional supervised clinical practice. Alex is also advised to discuss their plans with their supervisor before applying.
Once Alex has confirmed eligibility and completed any additional UKCP requirements, an application is submitted through the accrediting organisation in line with HIPC’s approval processes. If successful, Alex attains the additional title of psychotherapist (column C) while retaining their psychotherapeutic counsellor title and registration. This means Alex is affiliated with the two UKCP colleges through the titles they hold.
How to become a psychotherapist
If you are a psychotherapeutic counsellor who is also considering becoming a psychotherapist:
- Review the colleges currently offering routes.
- Contact relevant accrediting UKCP OMs for detailed requirements.
- Speak with your supervisor or training provider.
- Contact regulation@ukcp.org.uk if you need help understanding the available options.
FAQs
Within the SCoPEd framework for adult psychotherapeutic practice, psychotherapeutic counsellors are aligned to column B and psychotherapists are aligned to column C.
The distinction relates to differences in training depth, scope of practice, clinical competences and academic level. UKCP psychotherapists are trained to level seven (master’s level equivalent) and meet the competences associated with column C.
No, members who successfully complete a recognised pathway to psychotherapist will retain their psychotherapeutic counsellor title alongside their psychotherapist title.
No, the current SCoPEd framework applies specifically to adult psychotherapeutic practice. Some UKCP organisational members may offer separate child and adolescent pathways or accreditations. Requirements for working with children and young people are determined by the relevant college and accrediting organisation.
No, not necessarily. Many pathways recognise previous education, training and clinical experience through accreditation or recognition of prior learning (RPL). The additional requirements will depend on your current training, experience and whether your existing qualification already meets some level seven requirements.
Possibly. Some UKCP psychotherapeutic counselling trainings already include substantial level seven learning. In these instances, you may only need to complete outstanding requirements needed for column C recognition. The accrediting organisation will assess which elements of your existing training and experience can be recognised.
Yes, some members may complete a pathway through a different UKCP college from the one they originally trained with. Members can hold affiliations with more than one UKCP college depending on their qualifications and registration route.
No, only some colleges and accrediting organisations currently offer approved pathways. Availability may change over time as additional pathways are developed and approved.
There is no single timeframe. The duration depends on your previous training, clinical experience and the additional requirements identified by the accrediting organisation.
Applications are assessed through UKCP accrediting organisational members operating within the relevant college framework and UKCP standards. Each accrediting organisation will explain its assessment process, evidence requirements and any additional learning needed.
Possibly. Column C pathways may require additional personal therapy or continuing professional development (CPD) hours where these have not already been completed within your existing training.
Potentially. Many pathways consider previous qualifications and professional experience, although some accrediting organisations may apply time limits or require evidence of recent practice and continuing professional development (CPD).
In most cases, yes. Many pathways are designed for practising professionals and may allow you to continue working while completing additional requirements.
If your application is successful, your registration will reflect your additional psychotherapist title while retaining your existing psychotherapeutic counsellor registration.
This page includes a list of UKCP colleges and accrediting organisations currently offering approved routes. As pathways continue to develop, availability may change and the page will be updated periodically.
You may find it helpful to:
- speak with your supervisor
- contact your training organisation
- contact a relevant accrediting organisation directly.
This page reflects the position at the time of publication (June 2026). As availability and approval of pathways may change, this page will may be updated periodically. If an organisation is not listed, you may wish to contact the relevant college directly to confirm current options.
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