Counselling Courses in Scotland:
The Definitive Guide
Thinking about starting or growing your career in counselling?
Check out all the different counselling courses in Scotland with our helpful guide. Whether you’re new to this or already have some experience, we’ve got all the info you need to pick the right course for you.
Ready to take your next step in counselling? Get started today!
Counselling in Scotland
Qualifications available
Scotland-based course providers
Classroom Vs. Online
What does counselling in Scotland look like?
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Curious about life as a counsellor in Scotland? Given the rising need for mental health support throughout the nation, there are plenty of avenues for counsellors in both private setups and public health systems. On top of that, Scotland offers a strong network of mental wellness services and therapy clinics, giving you fantastic opportunities for professional growth and a truly welcoming peer group.
So, let’s look into some main reasons why diving into counselling training and a career in Scotland could be an excellent choice for you.
There is a high demand for mental health services. Across Scotland, boosting mental wellness has been a key focus in recent years. In fact, Scotland is getting noticed for how much it’s committed to transforming mental health services, especially with the Scottish Government giving the go-ahead for an “ambitious” nationwide mental health and wellbeing plan, like their current “Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy”
There is a strong focus on mental health in the area. Scotland also benefits from a strong web of NHS services, independent therapy providers, and brilliant charities, all working hand-in-hand to tackle the mental health requirements of its communities. Organisations like Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) and Penumbra often team up with local partners to champion mental well-being across the nation. Because of this, Scotland offers plenty of placement opportunities for training counsellors, and a wealth of employment opportunities for practising counsellors.
There is a wide range of counselling opportunities. Even though the nation has made significant strides in boosting its mental health support, there’s a clear understanding that more work remains to be done, especially in economically challenged areas and for vulnerable groups. That’s why the Scottish Government, along with key charities, are actively focusing on bridging these gaps.
This sustained effort and ongoing need means there’s a constant demand for skilled mental health professionals, counsellors very much included. So, for you, completing your counselling training and placement here gives you the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of local Scottish communities.
To give you an idea of the diverse places you could find yourself working in Scotland, here are just a few examples:
- NHS 24 Mental Health Hub : This key service offers 24/7 mental health guidance and directs individuals to appropriate care across Scotland.
- SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) : A leading Scottish mental health charity providing a wide range of community-based support and services.
- Penumbra : Another major mental health charity in Scotland, focusing on recovery-oriented support for adults and young people.
- Relationships Scotland : Specialises in relationship counselling, family mediation, and child contact services.
- YouthLink Scotland : Works to improve the mental health and well-being of young people through youth work initiatives.
- University Counselling Services (e.g., University of Glasgow Counselling & Wellbeing Services ): Many Scottish universities offer dedicated counselling support for their student populations.
And that’s just scratching the surface! There are so many other organisations across Scotland pouring their efforts into delivering vital mental health support. Plus, you’ll find plenty of counselling training providers right here in Scotland offering counselling courses to kickstart your journey in this truly worthwhile career (we’ll dive into those details later!).
Glasgow CPCAB Level 4 Course – January 2026!
Enrolment for our Glasgow-based CPCAB Level 4 course is now open!
Become a qualified counsellor in two years with our part-time course, consisting of 60 live sessions spread across two years.
What qualifications are available to me?
So, you might be asking yourself, what exactly do I need to become a counsellor in Scotland?
Well, believe it or not, the answer is… technically, zero! Yep, you heard that right. Counselling isn’t a formally regulated job across the whole UK yet, meaning anyone could technically call themselves a counsellor. But hold your horses, because that’s definitely not the path we’d suggest taking.
Counselling is a challenging profession, and you’ll often be dealing with sensitive issues and situations. So, it’s essential that you undertake relevant and accredited counselling training to ensure that you have the right skills and experience to deal with these effectively.
These days, counselling agencies and clients are increasingly seeking out counsellors who have a qualification accredited by a professional body, so that they can be sure the counsellor has undertaken the right training.
You’ve got two main professional counselling organisations here in the UK: the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling Society (NCS). Luckily, you’ll find plenty of course choices accredited by both of these fantastic bodies available right here in Scotland!
Let’s dive deeper into what these two options involve:
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The BACP is the largest professional body for counselling in the UK. It upholds high ethical standards and, therefore, gaining BACP membership is a great stamp to have to help you find employment and clients.
To become a BACP member, you need to meet certain criteria, which include completing an approved core practitioner course. One example of a pathway to BACP membership is to take a series of CPCAB-accredited courses. The Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) is a leading awarding body for counselling qualifications in the UK, known for its robust and widely recognised training frameworks. Here are the CPCAB Levels you would need to complete to gain BACP membership.
To gain membership to BACP via CPCAB, you need to have at least completed:
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills – 170 hours total qualification time
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies – 196 hours total qualification time
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – 1,204 hours total qualification time
There are several different providers that offer BACP-accredited counselling courses in Scotland. Hang tight; we’ll look more at the specific providers for Scotland counselling courses in the next section.
The National Counselling Society (NCS)
The other major professional counselling body in the UK is the National Counselling Society (NCS). Like the BACP, you also have to meet certain criteria to gain NCS membership.
There are also several different providers that offer NCS-accredited counselling courses in Scotland, but only one offers the Level 4 course required to gain NCS membership. We’ll come to these in a moment.
At Astranti Connect, we believe the route to becoming a BACP member is the preferable option of the two – you can read about why this is in our definitive guide to counselling qualifications.
Other options
If you’re just looking to pick up some counselling skills for your own personal development or to help with another professional role, like as a teacher or manager, and don’t intend to practise as a professional counsellor, there are a few additional options for counselling courses in Scotland.
A number of individuals and organisations offer short counselling courses, some of which allow you to gain a qualification that could contribute towards BACP or NCS accreditation if you choose to study further in the future. Others won’t be accredited, however, and so it’s important that you keep in mind there is no guarantee of their quality.
Scotland counselling course providers
So, if you live in Scotland and are looking to kickstart your counselling training journey, then great news! You’ll find a whole host of different course providers running counselling training in this next section. The best fit for you will truly depend on what you’re aiming for in your career, what subjects really grab your interest, and how you prefer to learn.
So, let’s jump right in and check out the key choices!
Universities and colleges
Since universities and larger colleges are often broad-spectrum institutions, hosting a wide array of programmes, they generally boast more expansive grounds and bigger student communities than dedicated counselling training centres. Therefore, if you’re seeking a comprehensive, engrossing academic journey, these establishments could be perfect for your needs!
For example, esteemed institutions like the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, or Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, deliver a selection of psychology and broader mental health degree programmes. These can lay a wide groundwork for professions in education, social care, youth support, or counselling. Such courses often feature a mix of formal lectures and hands-on workshops.
However, if you’re someone who thrives with a more direct, practical learning method, institutions such as Glasgow Clyde College or Edinburgh College provide an array of counselling courses, encompassing introductory, and further qualifications.
Should you be comfortable travelling a short distance, a wealth of other colleges within reasonable reach of Scotland’s main cities also present counselling programmes. For instance, New College Lanarkshire or Fife College deliver a diverse range of counselling courses. These present superb choices for anyone keen to gain counselling qualifications within the broader Scottish landscape.
Specialist providers
There’s another fantastic path to explore, alongside the universities and larger colleges throughout Scotland, you’ll also discover dedicated specialist providers of counselling programmes in the region.
Given that these providers often operate on a smaller scale, you can anticipate more intimate class sizes. This naturally encourages greater engagement with your instructors and fellow learners, fostering a truly nurturing and immersive educational setting. Many of the educators themselves are active counsellors, meaning they infuse the curriculum with genuine, real-world insights and frequently possess invaluable links within the local counselling community. This can prove exceptionally beneficial when you’re seeking practical placements or professional opportunities.
Here are a few specialist providers offering counselling courses in Scotland:
- The Institute of Counselling (based in Glasgow, but with reach across Scotland): Often provides in-depth qualifications, sometimes including specialised areas like addiction or trauma, aligning with professional body standards like BACP or NCS.
- Centre of Therapy & Counselling Studies : Known for offering a range of counselling and psychotherapy training up to advanced levels, often with a strong focus on practical application and clinical skills.
- Astranti Connect: We deliver a comprehensive suite of counselling courses from our Glasgow hub. From CPCAB Level 2 right through to CPCAB Level 6, our programmes are specifically crafted to support your growth and thoroughly prepare you for a fulfilling career in the Scottish counselling landscape.
Classroom vs Online: what should you choose?
This is an essential point to consider, and the decision really comes down to your personal aims for a counselling career. Just like picking the perfect qualification and the right counselling training centre, selecting the correct course format is key to hitting your goals.
If your ultimate objective is to join a recognised professional counselling association like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the National Counselling Society (NCS), you should be aware that a substantial portion of your training must happen face-to-face. For instance, following the CPCAB route to BACP membership, which we touched on earlier, while you can complete your CPCAB Level 2 and CPCAB Level 3 studies virtually, a significant 75% of the CPCAB Level 4 programme specifically needs to be delivered in a physical classroom setting.
This means that to gain eligibility for BACP or NCS registration, you’ll need a mix of both digital and in-person instruction, or opt entirely for traditional classroom learning if that suits you best. Be mindful that while some course providers might offer entirely online Level 4 qualifications, these typically won’t meet the criteria for BACP or NCS membership – something crucial to keep an eye on!
It’s also really important to note that for any online sessions to count towards BACP or NCS membership, they absolutely must be live, interactive virtual lessons (think engaging via Zoom). This is because these esteemed professional bodies believe that self-paced, solitary learning doesn’t adequately equip you with the essential practical capabilities needed to truly thrive as a counsellor. Instead, meaningful interaction with your tutors and fellow students is considered vital.
So, let’s consider the pros and cons of taking fully online, or a combination of online and in-person, counselling courses.
Advantages of online counselling training:
- More flexibility
- Location less of a barrier
- Could save on costs
Disadvantages of online counselling training:
- Possible technical difficulties
- Potential for greater distractions
- Limited social interaction
- Don’t always lead to membership of professional bodies
There’s truly no single “correct” answer when you’re deciding between purely virtual, traditional classroom-based, or even a mix of both for your counselling studies. Your optimal choice really ought to stem from how you best absorb information and your individual life situation.
If you’re keen for more insights to help you weigh up your options, feel free to delve into our comprehensive guide all about online counselling courses.
Why join a Connect course?
So, why do we think you should study with us?
We have experienced tutors
Connect tutors are all qualified counsellors with experience in teaching. Many are also practising counsellors and, when they aren’t teaching our classes, they continue to work with their own clients. Our tutors have a wealth of relevant, real-life experience and strong ties with the local counselling community.
We specialise in counselling
We have over 15 years of experience in counselling training and, unlike universities and colleges which offer a broad range of courses, our expertise and knowledge are focused on a small number of subject areas.
We are a national provider with centres across the country
If you’re not set on completing your counselling courses in Scotland, but you’d like to take part in one of our classroom counselling courses, we also have counselling hubs all across the UK. This also means you don’t have to be tied to one area throughout the course of your studies! We also have online options for Levels 2 and 3 and our post-qualification courses, offering additional flexibility. You can check out our full range of courses here.
We have a high Trustpilot rating
We are renowned as a high-quality training provider, as you can see from our excellent Trustpilot rating and reviews!
We have limited class sizes
Both our online and in-person courses have a maximum size of 16-18 people. This offers a great balance between plenty of tutor interaction and support and working and practising with a diverse range of people.
You will get access to our online community
We have an active online community, allowing you to learn from other students and support each other in your studies.
Our students must pass pre-course assessments
This helps to ensure our courses run as smoothly as possible, and you can rest assured that you and your fellow students are well-suited to the course.
We provide courses for Levels 2 to 6
This means once you pass one course, you can move on to another! Completing our Levels 2, 3 and 4 courses sets you up to apply for BACP membership to become a qualified, professional counsellor.
Our CPD Seminar Subscription comes free with our CPCAB courses
Twice a month our own tutors or expert guest speakers host live online seminars, each focusing on a new interesting topic in the world of counselling. From ‘Exploring Sexual Diversity’ to ‘What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Right and Wrong’, there’s something for everyone.
When you join a Connect course, you’ll have access to our live seminars and full bank of recorded sessions for the duration of your course.
Our Connect Courses:
Whether you’ve decided that a classroom or online course is best for you, we have lots of course options available to suit your needs!
We offer the following in-person courses at our Scotland hub:
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
All of our courses are approved by the CPCAB, and completing the Level 4 Diploma provides a pathway to BACP membership. It also forms part of the CPCAB Open University Foundation Degree if you’d like to come away with a degree at the end of your studies.
If you’re seeking more flexibility, we also offer live daytime and evening online courses for Levels 2 and 3 ( these can be done online as they’re live, although the majority of Level 4 must be completed in a classroom to qualify for BACP membership!).
Once you’ve completed level 4, we do also offer a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, a Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Theory & Skills, and a Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision – This is designed for our many counselling students who want to progress towards running their own practice, or becoming supervisors, as these courses give you the skills to achieve both of these ambitions.
And, if you’re looking to complete your counselling courses elsewhere, we have hubs located all over the UK! Find our full range of courses here.
Want to talk to someone about your next course options?
If you have any questions about Astranti Connect’s counselling courses in Scotland, you can have a free 1-2-1 call with one of our Connect student advisors!
Head to your relevant course page below to book yours:
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