How to Become a Therapist in the UK: Training Routes for Every Profession
In short: Every therapy profession has its own route, and psychology is only one of them. Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, arts therapists and practitioner psychologists complete an HCPC-approved programme (a degree, a master’s, a doctorate or, for some, an apprenticeship) and must register with the HCPC. Counsellors, psychotherapists, play therapists and CBT therapists train with courses recognised by an accredited register or professional body, such as BACP, NCPS, UKCP, BAPT or BABCP.
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Please read. This is general information from us, not medical, clinical or professional advice. We’re a directory: we don’t provide therapy, we don’t recommend or guarantee any practitioner, and we’re not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, please use the crisis box at the bottom of this page. Services and rules change, so check the official websites linked here.
Quick comparison
| Profession | Usual route | Typical length | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counsellor | Introductory course, skills certificate, Level 4+ diploma | 3–4 years (BACP) | BACP, NCPS, COSCA |
| Psychotherapist | Postgraduate (level 7) training | 3–6 years part time (UKCP) | UKCP, BPC |
| Practitioner psychologist | Accredited psychology degree or conversion, then HCPC-approved postgraduate training | Clinical doctorate 3 years full time; others vary | HCPC |
| Occupational therapist | Degree, pre-registration master’s or apprenticeship | 3 years full time (degree) | HCPC |
| Physiotherapist | Degree, accelerated master’s or apprenticeship | 3 years full time (degree) | HCPC |
| Speech and language therapist | Degree, postgraduate diploma/master’s or apprenticeship | 3–4 years (degree) | HCPC |
| Dietitian | Degree, postgraduate diploma/master’s or apprenticeship | 3–4 years (BSc) | HCPC |
| Arts therapist | Approved master’s (limited level 7 apprenticeship) | Varies, check the course provider | HCPC |
| Play therapist | Recognised postgraduate training | Varies, check the course provider | BAPT, Play Therapy UK |
| CBT therapist / PWP | Core profession then postgraduate CBT; PWP certificate | PWP 1 year; CBT varies | BABCP, BPS |
Counsellor
- Training route: An introduction to counselling, a counselling skills certificate, then core practitioner training. BACP asks for core training of at least a Level 4 diploma (or equivalent) with at least two years of classroom-based tuition, at least 300 guided learning hours and a supervised placement of at least 100 client hours. NCPS asks for an NCPS-accredited course or a Level 4+ diploma of at least two years part time, 300 guided learning hours and at least 100 supervised placement hours.
- Typical length: BACP says the whole route can take three or four years.
- Register: Accredited registers such as the BACP Register or NCPS (COSCA in Scotland).
- Protected title by law: No
- Official information: BACP: training · NCPS: become a counsellor
Psychotherapist (including family and systemic)
- Training route: A postgraduate (level 7) psychotherapy training with supervised clinical practice and your own therapy throughout. UKCP mentions about 450 hours of supervised clinical practice. Family and systemic psychotherapy is a four-year part-time master’s-level training (foundation, intermediate and qualifying stages).
- Typical length: UKCP says typically three to six years part time.
- Register: Accredited registers such as UKCP (family and systemic psychotherapists through AFSP) or BPC.
- Protected title by law: No
- Official information: UKCP: train as a psychotherapist · AFSP: routes to training
Practitioner psychologist: clinical, counselling, educational, health or forensic
- Training route: A BPS-accredited psychology degree or conversion course giving the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, then HCPC-approved postgraduate training in your chosen area. For clinical psychology this is a doctorate.
- Typical length: Clinical psychology doctorate: three years full time (NHS Health Careers). Other areas: varies, check the course provider.
- Register: HCPC (statutory register).
- Protected title by law: Yes: for example clinical, counselling, educational, health and forensic psychologist
- Official information: NHS Health Careers: clinical psychologist · BPS: become a psychologist · HCPC approved programmes
Occupational therapist
- Training route: An HCPC-approved degree in occupational therapy, a pre-registration master’s if you already have a degree, or a degree apprenticeship.
- Typical length: Degree: usually three years full time or up to six part time. Master’s: one to two years. Apprenticeships typically about four years (NHS Health Careers).
- Register: HCPC (statutory register). Professional body: RCOT.
- Protected title by law: Yes: occupational therapist
- Official information: NHS Health Careers: occupational therapist · HCPC approved programmes
Physiotherapist
- Training route: An HCPC-approved physiotherapy degree, a two-year accelerated master’s if you have a relevant degree, or a degree apprenticeship.
- Typical length: Degree: three years full time (four in Scotland, says the CSP) or six part time. Master’s: two years.
- Register: HCPC (statutory register). Professional body: CSP.
- Protected title by law: Yes: physiotherapist, physical therapist
- Official information: NHS Health Careers: physiotherapist · CSP: routes into physiotherapy
Speech and language therapist
- Training route: An HCPC-approved degree (BSc), a postgraduate diploma or master’s if you have a relevant first degree, or a degree apprenticeship.
- Typical length: Undergraduate: three to four years. Postgraduate: about two years (RCSLT).
- Register: HCPC (statutory register). Professional body: RCSLT.
- Protected title by law: Yes: speech and language therapist
- Official information: NHS Health Careers: speech and language therapist · RCSLT: university courses
Dietitian
- Training route: An HCPC-approved dietetics degree, a postgraduate diploma or master’s if your degree includes enough human physiology and biochemistry, or a degree apprenticeship.
- Typical length: BSc: three or four years full time. Postgraduate: two years full time (BDA).
- Register: HCPC (statutory register). Professional body: BDA.
- Protected title by law: Yes: dietitian
- Official information: NHS Health Careers: dietitian · BDA: how to become a dietitian
Arts therapist: art, music or drama
- Training route: An HCPC-approved master’s in art therapy or art psychotherapy, music therapy or dramatherapy, full or part time. Entry usually needs a relevant degree or professional qualification and experience; art therapy asks for a portfolio and music therapy for musical proficiency. A level 7 arts therapist apprenticeship exists, but places are limited.
- Typical length: Master’s: varies, check the course provider.
- Register: HCPC (statutory register).
- Protected title by law: Yes: art therapist, art psychotherapist, music therapist, dramatherapist
- Official information: NHS Health Careers: art therapist · music therapist · dramatherapist
Play therapist
- Training route: A postgraduate play therapy training (MA or MSc) recognised by BAPT, or a training recognised by Play Therapy UK. Entry usually asks for a relevant degree and experience of working with children.
- Typical length: Postgraduate: varies, check the course provider.
- Register: Accredited registers: the BAPT register or the Play Therapy UK register.
- Protected title by law: No
- Official information: BAPT: play therapy qualification · Play Therapy UK register
CBT therapist or psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP)
- Training route: CBT therapist: a core mental health profession (or a portfolio showing equivalent knowledge, skills and attitudes), then postgraduate CBT training to BABCP minimum standards and BABCP accreditation. PWP: a trainee post in an NHS Talking Therapies service with a one-year graduate or postgraduate certificate; there is also a level 6 apprenticeship route.
- Typical length: PWP certificate: one year. CBT postgraduate training: varies, check the course provider.
- Register: BABCP (CBT Register and wellbeing practitioner register), or the BPS wider psychological workforce register for PWPs.
- Protected title by law: No
- Official information: BABCP: becoming qualified in CBT · NHS Health Careers: PWP
Protected by law or accredited register?
Protected by law (statutory regulation). Arts therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists and speech and language therapists are regulated by the HCPC. It is illegal to use their protected titles without HCPC registration, and you can only register after an HCPC-approved programme.
Accredited registers (voluntary but widely expected). Counselling, psychotherapy, play therapy and CBT titles are not protected by law. Clients and employers usually look for membership of a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, such as BACP, NCPS, UKCP, BAPT or BABCP. Choose a course that your chosen register recognises.
Other therapy professions
- Dance movement psychotherapist: recognised training listed by ADMP UK.
- Child and adolescent psychotherapist: clinical training accredited by the Association of Child Psychotherapists.
- Psychosexual and relationship therapist: training accredited by COSRT.
- Psychiatrist: a medical degree, foundation training and specialty training in psychiatry, with GMC registration. See Royal College of Psychiatrists: become a psychiatrist.
Once you’re qualified
You’ll need supervision, insurance and continuing professional development. See our starter kit, supervision finder and CPD guide. Still training? Read for trainee therapists and join as a trainee. Once registered, every therapy profession can list a practice free; we check your register before your listing goes live.
Common questions
How do I become a therapist in the UK?
Choose the profession that fits the work you want to do, then complete the training that its regulator or accredited register recognises. HCPC professions (arts therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, practitioner psychology, speech and language therapy and dietetics) need an HCPC-approved programme and HCPC registration. Counselling, psychotherapy, play therapy and CBT use accredited registers or professional bodies.
Can I become a therapist without a psychology degree?
Yes. Most therapy professions do not need a psychology degree. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics and the arts therapies have their own degree, master’s or apprenticeship routes, and counselling training starts with introductory and certificate courses. A psychology degree (or conversion) is needed for practitioner psychology.
Can I train through an apprenticeship?
For some professions, yes. NHS Health Careers describes degree apprenticeships for occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics, a level 7 apprenticeship for arts therapists (places are limited) and a level 6 route for psychological wellbeing practitioners. Apprentices are employed while they train.
How long does it take to become a therapist?
It depends on the profession: for example, a three-year degree for many allied health professions, a two-year master’s if you already have a relevant degree, three or four years for counselling (BACP) and three to six years part time for psychotherapy (UKCP). For other routes the length varies, so check the course provider.
How much does therapy training cost?
Fees vary by course, level and provider, and apprenticeship fees are paid by the employer and government. Check the course provider’s own website for current fees and funding.
Is 'therapist' a protected title?
No. 'Therapist', 'counsellor' and 'psychotherapist' are not protected by law. Titles such as occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, dietitian, art therapist, music therapist, dramatherapist and clinical psychologist are protected, so you must be on the HCPC register to use them.
Can trainees list on Therapist Circle?
Yes. Trainee therapists can join as a trainee, and once you qualify and register you can list your practice free. Join as a trainee.
Last updated 4 November 2026. Facts come from the official websites linked on this page, read on 4 November 2026. Course details change, so always check the course provider and the register. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, the HCPC or any professional body.
Related: Starter kit for new therapists · Types of therapist in the UK · UK regulators and registers
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