Frequently asked questions

At present, the UK Therapy Guild counselling diploma is not BACP course accredited. BACP has confirmed its accreditation routes are changing, with new routes opening from February 2026. We will keep students updated as BACP publishes final requirements.

BACP accreditation information, BACP update for February 2026

Yes, for many practitioners the Certificate of Proficiency route is an entry route for BACP members who have not taken an accredited course and wish to join the BACP Register. Eligibility depends on BACP requirements at the time you apply.

BACP Certificate of Proficiency

SCoPEd is a sector framework that describes expected knowledge and capabilities at different levels of counselling and psychotherapy practice. As BACP aligns its membership routes with SCoPEd from February 2026, you may see clearer criteria and evidence requirements for each step. The safest approach is to check BACP's requirements at the time you apply, as the final criteria are set by BACP and may evolve as the new routes bed in.

BACP, SCoPEd framework

UK Therapy Guild qualifications are accredited by recognised professional bodies including the NCIP (National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists), the ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists), and the GHSC (General Hypnotherapy Standards Council). Accreditation relates to professional standards, ethics, and practitioner expectations set by those organisations, and confirms that our curriculum meets the level expected of practitioners working at Level 5.

The Professional Standards Authority is accountable to the UK Parliament and it runs the Accredited Registers programme for voluntary registers. If a register is PSA accredited, it can be a strong trust signal because the register must meet additional public protection and governance expectations. Accreditation status varies by organisation and can change, so the safest way to verify current PSA Accredited Registers is via the PSA register search.

PSA, find an Accredited Register, PSA on GOV.UK

On completion of the Dual Diploma you are eligible to apply for:

• Registered membership of the NCIP, giving access to a recognised professional community.
• The BACP Proficiency Test, leading to BACP Registered Member status.
• The General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), via your GHSC validated hypnotherapy diploma.
• The CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council) for hypnotherapy, which is itself a PSA Accredited Register.

Each register sets its own application criteria, fees and continuing professional development expectations. We recommend checking each body's website for current requirements.

Two nationally recognised qualifications, awarded together over two years:

• Level 5 Diploma in Integrative Counselling, accredited by the NCIP and ACCPH.
• Level 5 Practitioner Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, validated by the GHSC.

The Dual Diploma runs for two years part-time, term-time only. There are 370 guided learning hours in total, including 120 hours face to face. Most students plan for additional independent study and reading time alongside the taught sessions.

Teaching takes place on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm at St Mary's Millennium Centre, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 5EA. Sessions are mainly in person with some online teaching, designed to be interactive and practical.

View venue on Google Maps

The integrative curriculum covers Person Centred, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, CBT, Attachment Theory, Narrative Therapy, Grief Counselling, Family and Couples Counselling, NLP and Clinical Hypnotherapy. The Counselling Diploma is delivered across 16 units and the Hypnotherapy Diploma across 18 units, 34 units in total.

Download the full 2026 handbook (PDF)

Counselling: written and verbal assignments, case studies and skills assessments, including an audio-recorded session with written critique. Feedback is detailed and formative throughout.

Hypnotherapy: at least three case studies covering single and multi-session work, with ongoing observation of practical skills. Assessment is by your course tutor with independent sampling for moderation.

A minimum of 80% classroom attendance is required. Where attendance falls below this, additional work or repeat learning may be agreed with the Course Director. We understand that life happens, so please speak to a tutor early if you are facing difficulties.

The course is led by Nichola Doyle, Founder and Course Director, an experienced integrative counsellor and hypnotherapist with a background in education. She is supported by Nick Buchanan, Course Supervisor, and Erin Rawlings Doyle, Administrator and teacher. All tutors remain in active practice alongside teaching.

Meet the team

No. Prior counselling training at Level 2 or 3 is not required. Comprehensive training is delivered within the Dual Diploma itself, building from foundational skills through to integrated practice.

We assess each application on its own merits, looking at education, prior qualifications, relevant life experience, employment history and your future goals as a practitioner. There is no rigid academic prerequisite. If shortlisted, you will be invited to a personal interview with Course Director Nichola Doyle to discuss suitability.

We do not set an upper age limit. Many of our students come to counselling as a second career, drawing on rich life and professional experience. Applicants should be 19 or over at the point of starting the course.

Lived experience can be a real strength in counselling work. We ask about medical and psychological background as part of the eligibility enquiry so we can have a supportive conversation about readiness, not to screen people out. The course is intensive and personally challenging, and we want to make sure you feel resourced enough to engage with it safely. Decisions are made in conversation with you, with your wellbeing at the centre.

Yes. Counselling is a profession of trust and you will work with vulnerable people during placement. We ask all applicants to disclose criminal convictions on the eligibility enquiry. A previous conviction is not an automatic bar to training, but undisclosed convictions discovered later may be.

The Dual Diploma is delivered in person in Liverpool with some online teaching, so you will need to be able to attend Saturday sessions at the Liverpool venue throughout the two years. We do not currently sponsor study visas. Applicants from overseas should ensure they have appropriate right to study in the UK before applying.

You need to complete 100 client hours of supervised counselling placement. For hypnotherapy a minimum of 20 practice hours is strongly encouraged, which can often be gained within your existing counselling placement work.

You do not have to source a placement alone. Through UK Therapy Guild Counselling Services, students on placement can work directly with us. Our team matches you with clients whose needs align with your developing specialisms, removing one of the most stressful parts of training. You are still welcome to find your own placement if you prefer.

Supervision follows BACP and NCIP guidance, with a minimum of one hour of supervision per eight client hours. UK Therapy Guild offers monthly group supervision from Year Two at a reduced cost to students, so you have a consistent and affordable supervisory home throughout your training.

Yes. Students must arrange student counsellor insurance before starting placement. A recommended provider is Holistic Insurance, which offers cover suitable for trainees on placement.

Holistic Insurance

UK Therapy Guild abides by the Codes of Ethics of the NCIP and BACP, covering safeguarding, confidentiality, boundaries, data protection and professional conduct. You will be expected to work within an ethical framework throughout your training, and ethics is taught and revisited across multiple units.

UK Therapy Guild is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and complies with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Student data is processed lawfully, fairly and securely, and is only used for the purposes set out in our privacy policy.

The total course fee is £3,750. This covers the full two-year Dual Diploma, both the Level 5 Integrative Counselling and the Level 5 Practitioner Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy. There are no hidden module fees within the course itself.

We offer two main payment options:

• Pay in full: £3,750 payable up front.
• Deposit and balance: a non-refundable £500 deposit on acceptance, with the remaining £3,250 due by 31 August 2026, payable by bank transfer, PayPal or Klarna.

Payment plans may be available on request. Please discuss your circumstances with us during the enquiry stage.

In addition to the course fee, you should budget for:

• Student counsellor insurance (required before placement begins).
• Personal therapy, where required by your professional body or supervisor.
• Supervision costs beyond what is included with UK Therapy Guild group supervision.
• Professional body membership fees once you qualify.
• Books and reading materials, although core texts are recommended rather than mandatory.

The £500 deposit is non-refundable. If you need to leave the course early after enrolment, the full course fee becomes payable in line with the student contract, regardless of which payment method you chose. We strongly encourage you to use the eligibility process and interview to confirm the course is right for you before committing.

The Dual Diploma is a private professional qualification and does not currently fall under Student Finance England undergraduate loans. Some students fund their training through employer support, career development grants, or third-party finance options like PayPal Credit or Klarna. We recommend speaking to your employer about CPD funding if relevant.

Graduates work in private practice, in voluntary and charitable sector roles, in EAP and workplace wellbeing services, in education settings, and within NHS Talking Therapies pathways once they meet relevant employer requirements. The Dual Diploma equips you to practise as both an integrative counsellor and a clinical hypnotherapist, giving you a broader scope than a single-modality qualification.

Yes. Counsellors who wish to continue with UK Therapy Guild Counselling Services after completing their placement hours are warmly welcomed to do so. You remain fully self-employed, practising under your own professional registration, with UKTG providing the infrastructure, software and client referrals around you.

The platform operates on a straightforward commission basis with no monthly subscription. It includes:

• Clinical notes saved to your own Google Drive, never to our servers.
• Bookings, scheduling and reminders.
• Encrypted peer-to-peer video sessions.
• Supervision session scheduling.
• Payments and earnings tracking.
• Expert client matching by the UKTG team.
• Ongoing professional support.

A grace period of one year is available after the planned end of course for students with outstanding requirements. Those students are invited to attend the next graduation evening once they complete. We will work with you to plan a realistic completion route if life circumstances slow you down.

Yes. A graduation evening is held on the final evening of the course, an opportunity to celebrate your achievements with peers and tutors and to mark your new status as a qualified counsellor and hypnotherapist.

The process has three stages:

1. Complete the online eligibility enquiry below (no payment is taken at this stage).
2. If shortlisted, you will be invited to a personal interview with Course Director Nichola Doyle.
3. If accepted, you will be invited to secure your place with the £500 deposit.

All acceptance decisions are final. Suitability is assessed in relation to education, qualifications, relevant life experience, employment history and future goals.