Published 2026-07-31 • Category: Personal Therapy • Author: CounsellingPlacements.co.uk
If you are training to be a counsellor or psychotherapist, there is a good chance your course requires you to be in personal therapy yourself. Finding a therapist for your training hours is usually much simpler than finding a placement. This guide covers what courses actually require, what to look for, what it costs, and where to search.
Personal therapy is a core part of counsellor training. It helps you understand the process from the client's chair, and gives you somewhere to process what comes up during training and client work. BACP-accredited courses commonly require it, and BACP individual accreditation expects evidence of personal development work.
How many hours will you need? Requirements vary by course and awarding body — always check your course handbook first. Level 4 diplomas often ask for 20 to 40 hours of personal therapy across the course. Degree and postgraduate courses may require weekly therapy for one or more years. Some courses specify the therapist must be qualified and accredited (BACP, UKCP or equivalent). Ask your tutor exactly what counts: the modality, the therapist's accreditation, and whether sessions can be online.
What to look for in a therapist for your training hours: someone qualified and accredited with a recognised body (BACP, UKCP, NCPS or similar), experienced in working with counselling students, and clear about fees, cancellation policies and writing letters confirming your hours if your course needs evidence. Choosing someone whose approach differs from your own training modality can broaden your practice.
What does it cost? Private therapy in the UK typically costs between £40 and £80 per session, and more in London. Many therapists offer reduced student rates for counselling trainees — always ask. Some deliberately set aside low-cost slots for students, online sessions are often cheaper, and charities and low-cost counselling services sometimes take trainees as clients. The CounsellingPlacements.co.uk therapist directory lets you filter for student-friendly therapists so you can see fees and approaches upfront.
Questions to ask before you commit: Are you accredited, and with which body? Have you worked with counselling trainees before? What is your fee, and do you offer a student rate? Can you provide a letter or sign off my hours if my course requires evidence? What is your cancellation policy?
Can your tutor, supervisor or placement provider be your therapist? No — your personal therapist should have no other role in your training. Dual relationships are a conflict of interest and most courses will not count those hours.
Where to search: start with the CounsellingPlacements.co.uk therapist directory, which lists counsellors and psychotherapists who specifically welcome trainees for personal therapy hours. You can filter by location, fee and approach, and message therapists directly. Recommendations from students further along your course are also valuable.