A guide to CPD for Counsellors

Every day will be different for counsellors, as the individuals they see will have varying problems. Legislation, technology, and standards are also constantly developing, and new approaches introduced. Therefore, counsellors need to keep abreast with the latest developments and legislation by undertaking CPD. This will ensure their knowledge and skills are up to date to provide high-quality counselling to individuals.

Counsellors must be competent to carry out their roles and responsibilities, regardless of their specific field of work. Competence means having a combination of relevant training, knowledge, skills and experience. Regular CPD training is a vital part of achieving competency and enhancing performance.

If councillors want to work for particular organisations, such as the NHS, they will need to register on a counselling or psychotherapy register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Being registered also gives self-employed counsellors a competitive edge, as individuals are more likely to choose a professional who takes their role and responsibilities seriously.

There are numerous professional bodies, associations and institutes that have accredited registers. Some make CPD a mandatory requirement for members, e.g. the National Counselling Society (NCS), the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Some also require members to undertake a certain number of CPD hours annually to remain registered. If counsellors are employed, their employers may also ask them to undertake CPD as part of their role.

If you are not already aware of the type of CPD training you need, you should ask your employer and/or check current standards for any professional bodies or associations in which you are a member. You can also think about where the gaps are in your knowledge and skills and which areas you could improve.

CPD courses

Many things count towards your CPD, and they should be relevant to you and your goals as a counsellor. For example, you can attend seminars/lectures/webinars, read books/journals and undertake work-based learning/research. You can also complete e-learning, which will count as part of your CPD.

Our e-learning courses are CPD certified and accredited under the CPD Certification Service. When you complete your course, you will gain an accredited qualification and CPD points (hours). The more training courses you undertake, the more knowledge and CPD points you will achieve.

We have different levels of courses for some areas, e.g. safeguarding levels 2 and 3. If you are looking for more in-depth knowledge on a topic, then a level 3 course would probably be more suited to your needs.

To make the most out of your learning, you should adopt a structured and consistent approach to your CPD by undertaking training that meets your personal development needs.

CPD certificates 

Once logged in, you can work through your course in a few hours (depending on the type), and there is no time limit for completion. You can work through it at your own pace at a location of your choice. Very rarely do students need help, but if you do, our staff are here to assist.

After completion of your course, including passing the quiz, you can download your PDF certificate immediately. Our professional-looking certificates are fully CPD regulated. They can provide evidence of training to regulators, professional bodies and prospective employers.

You can log onto your account at any time and download your certificates. You can keep them on file or email them through to your manager (where relevant). It is easy to print off a hard copy of your certificate and keep it with your other qualifications and awards in your CPD portfolio. You will also receive a copy of your certificate in the post, which you can display to show your clients you are keeping up to date with your knowledge.

Logging CPD hours

Some professional bodies require members to undertake a certain number of CPD hours annually. e.g. the NCS and the BACP expect members to do at least 30 hours of CPD every year and the PSA require a minimum of 20 hours of CPD in any given year and 250 hours across five years. You will need to check the number of hours required as part of your registration.

Every course that is CPD accredited will have a number of points assigned to it. One CPD point is equal to one hour of active learning, which means that you will get one point for every hour you spend on a CPD activity.

The number of points you will earn on completion of the course is in the course description, along with an estimated time to complete. This will give you your CPD hours.

You can keep a log of your CPD hours for the year and make a record of whether you have met your learning objectives. It is important to maintain an accurate CPD record as part of your CPD portfolio and personal development plan (PDP).

Logging CPD hours and keeping records will have a positive impact on your career. Also, knowing more about the issues that can affect different individuals will help you provide better counselling.

Keeping evidence 

Your certificates and any other documentation relating to your CPD should be retained as evidence. Some professional bodies require CPD records to be kept for a period of five years, and employers may want you to keep them for longer. You will need to check any requirements for CPD documentation retention times specific to your membership.

There is not a prescribed format when recording your CPD. Although, you may be required to use a specific format by an employer or professional body.

Your CPD record may be audited by your employer or by an external party, such as regulators and professional bodies. This is another reason why keeping evidence of your CPD is important.

Renewing CPD certificates

It is recommended that you renew your CPD certificate every two years. However, you may be required to complete a refresher every year. This will depend on your work setting and what your role entails.

Refresher training also counts towards your CPD. Therefore, you can log CPD hours for every course you undertake, including those taken as a refresher.