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Membership

The Institute of Counselling is a charitable Institute, whose mission is to provide high quality training and promote the development of counselling education.

One of our specific aims at the Institute of Counselling is the provision of counselling services for individuals and groups. Another important aim is to provide opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD). Our membership department is responsible for ensuring that members are supplied with the latest information in counselling or CBT practices.

The Institute of Counselling understands and incorporates the needs, values and perspectives of each individual. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture in which all individuals are encouraged to participate fully. We support growth, when necessary, through developing individual's knowledge and skills within their role and the wider profession.

The Institute of Counselling provides five grades of membership

  • Student Member
  • Member
  • Associate Professional Member
  • Full Member
  • Senior Member


Please visit our Membership Grades page for detailed information and guidance on our membership grades, and the application process for each grade of membership.

Please contact one of our membership advisors by telephone on 0141 204 2230 or by email at admin@instituteofcounselling.ac.uk with any questions or to request a membership application form.

Qualifications

When applying for membership of the Institute of Counselling we recognise the skills, qualifications and experience that each individual has acquired within their roles, our membership application process reflects our inclusive culture and understanding of what each individual brings to their role and their profession.

We accept qualifications at certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate level that have a defined level and number of credits, some of which include regulated qualifications frameworks such as Ofqual qualifications, SCQF credit rated qualifications, CQFW qualifications, among others. We also accept awards recognised by professional bodies within relevant professions. Please contact one of our membership advisors if you require further guidance and information.

Within your application you should also include continual professional development (CPD) events and seminars that you have attended, which demonstrates that you are undertaking continual professional development within a particular field or industry.

Experience

We recognise different backgrounds, knowledge and skills of each individual from the experience you have acquired within a work context to the knowledge and understanding you may have acquired within an academic context.

We have members from a wide range of backgrounds some of these include teaching, healthcare, social work, nursing, chaplaincy, counselling and psychotherapy, coaching or mentoring, management or one of the other caring and/or helping professions.

When applying for a grade of membership with the Institute of Counselling, we will take into account the experience you have gained within your role and within a particular profession.

Application Process

We avoid unnecessary complexities in our application process, and we provide candidates for membership the opportunity to communicate their experience, practice, CPD undertaken and qualifications. If you are looking to become a Full Member, we can provide guidance and requirements to become a Full Member of the Institute of Counselling. 

Whether you are just beginning your studies or have been a practitioner in the caring fields and helping fields for many years, we can assist you in finding a membership grade that suits you.

If you have any unspent convictions, any offences or restrictions that prevent you working with adults and children then you are required to notify the Institute of Counselling of this.


Guidance and Support

Find out what professional membership with the Institute of Counselling can do for you.

If you are not sure which membership grade to apply for, please contact one of our membership advisors by telephone on 0141 204 2230, or you can contact our Membership Secretary directly by email at: Urska@instituteofcounselling.ac.uk One of our advisors will be happy to provide you with further information and guidance.

The Institute of Counselling's membership team will provide you with guidance and updates throughout your membership with the Institute of Counselling.

To view further information on Membership of the Institute of Counselling, please visit our Membership FAQ's
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Institute of Counselling
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Certificate in Christian Counselling
The course material is in-depth, allowing me to reflect on and consider the role of a Christian Counsellor at the basic /Introductory level. I received detailed and positive feedback from the Tutor, Marie Murphy, which demonstrated my ability and skills to pursue the role of a Christian Counsellor. Marie's feedback has helped to guide me in this role. Thank you.
Marcia T, 4 days ago
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Certificate in Couple and Family Counselling Skills
Dr Murphy made my study for diploma in Couple and Family Counselling really interesting, she is very honest and approachable. I really looked forward for all her comments and do take them on board and will implement them in my ministerial role. I just want to say thank you for helping me to see my hidden potentials and to see situations and individuals from a different point of view to which I formerly held. Mobrae
Mobrae M, 13 days ago
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Certificate in Counselling
Good, really interesting and was grateful for the quick turn around on my assignments after them being sent to a different tutor. Very grateful and feel really good about the course and getting it completed.
Lisa C, 43 days ago
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Certificate in CBT 2 (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
Marie has been an excellent tutor throughout this course and consistently supportive. Marie has also been excellent in outlining any areas where more depth or focus may have been required by me as a student in relation to coursework. Marie has also been extremely accessible for any queries and prompt to reply.
Ian C, 44 days ago
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Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Some of the course work seems a little dated
David P, 44 days ago
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Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
The course materials made sense and explained what was required throughout. My tutor (Marie Murphy) was really engaging throughout and very supportive when I asked questions and probed into next steps etc. If/when I sign up for my next course I would ask for Marie to be my tutor again.
Nick A, 56 days ago
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Diploma in Youth Counselling
I loved the youth counselling course, as a teacher I learned a lot about all the theories and models and also released that I have applied most of them in my years of teaching without noticing. I have also learned that my approach is a holistic approach, which I never knew. Dr. Murphy was amazing in her guidance and feedback and I learned a lot from her. I am planning on expanding in this career and also do the other counselling courses.
Minette J, 63 days ago
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Diploma in Crisis Counselling
I found the course to be informative and it encouraged you to broaden your knowledge on the modules you were studying. I was unable to source the text for this module so I had to research materials for additional reading. The tutor's comments were always a source of encouragement and motivation to move on to the next assignment.
RUTH P, 70 days ago
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Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Awesome and Marie was super great Roll on next course
Kevin G, 117 days ago
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Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
I have gained great insight by completing this course as you might be aware in my role at work I am expected to provide therapy. I have been in this role for the past 4 years, had no confidence and was really struggling until I stated this course. I have found it very helpful and I appreciate to insightful feedback from Marie all the time.
Doreen M, 127 days ago