Counselling Courses in York:
The Definitive Guide
Discover the counselling training opportunities available in York with our in-depth guide.
Whether you’re just starting out or working towards full qualification, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the right course for your goals.
Take the next step in your counselling journey in York today!
1. Counselling in York
2. Qualifications available
3. York course providers
4. Classroom Vs Online
5. Why choose Connect?
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1. What does counselling in York look like?
Thinking about training as a counsellor in York? Get the ultimate guide to counselling training in this historic and lively city! Learn what to expect, explore the opportunities available (like our Leeds Counselling Training Centre), and find out how to take the next step in your counselling career.
York is a great city to begin or advance your counselling career, offering a strong support network, diverse client opportunities, and a growing focus on mental health services. With various organisations dedicated to wellbeing and therapy, trainees can gain valuable hands-on experience while making a positive impact in the community.
Let’s take a closer look at why York is an excellent place for counselling training and career development.
York faces significant mental health challenges, particularly among young people, with rising rates of depression and anxiety. Research from the University of York shows a notable increase in mental health disorders among 7 to 16-year-olds, while studies by YoungMinds and Mind highlight the worsening impact of the pandemic. This growing crisis underscores the urgent need for qualified counsellors to support the community.
York places a significant emphasis on mental health and well-being, with various initiatives and organisations dedicated to supporting the community. The York Mental Health Partnership brings together key organisations, including York Mind and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, to improve access to mental health services and enhance outcomes for those facing challenges.
The City of York Council actively promotes mental well-being through initiatives such as its mental health support hub, which provides resources and signposts residents to available services. Additionally, the council collaborates with community-led organisations like The Retreat York, a historic mental health provider offering specialised therapy and support.
These efforts not only create numerous opportunities for qualified counsellors but also establish a strong support network and valuable resources for professionals working in the mental health sector in York.
​York offers a diverse array of counselling opportunities, catering to various client groups and therapeutic approaches. Whether you’re interested in supporting young people, couples, or individuals, numerous organisations and charities in York provide counselling services to a wide demographic. Here are some notable examples:​
York Mind: This leading local provider supports individuals recovering from mental health challenges, promoting social inclusion and integration into activities like learning or employment. ​
York Therapy Clinic: A network of specialist psychologists, therapists, and counsellors offering a range of counselling and private therapy services, including support for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and insomnia. ​
Serendipity Counselling York: A city-centre counselling practice offering a responsive service tailored to clients’ needs, with a team of qualified therapists providing individual and relationship counselling.Â
These organisations represent just a fraction of the mental health services available in York. The city also hosts various private practices and support groups dedicated to enhancing mental well-being within the community. For those interested in pursuing a career in counselling, York provides a wealth of training opportunities, which we will explore further below.
Leeds CPCAB Level 4 Course – September 2025
Enrolment for our Leeds-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.
2. What qualifications are available to me?
If York seems like the ideal place for you to start your counselling career, what pathways and opportunities are available to help you take that first step?
Before taking the first step, it’s important to understand the difference between what’s required and what’s recommended to work as a counsellor in York.
Counselling in the UK is not legally regulated, meaning that, in theory, anyone could call themselves a counsellor without formal training (Yes, really!). However, to protect both clients and practitioners, gaining a recognised qualification is strongly advised. Proper training ensures you develop the necessary skills to support individuals with complex and sensitive issues, and most employers and clients look for counsellors with qualifications accredited by a professional body.
So, what does this mean for you?
In the UK, two main professional bodies oversee counselling standards, both of which offer accredited qualifications. York has several training providers offering recognised courses that align with these professional standards. Let’s take a closer look at these organisations and what they offer.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The BACP is the largest professional body for counsellors in the UK, establishing high ethical and practice standards for the profession. Becoming a BACP member enhances your credibility, making you more appealing to both employers and clients.
To join the BACP, you must meet specific requirements, including completing a recognised core counselling qualification. A common route is through  CPCAB-accredited courses, which offer structured training designed to align with BACP’s professional standards.
Using CPCAB qualifications as an example, here’s an overview of the typical training pathway required to become a BACP member:
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
York has a range of training providers offering BACP-accredited counselling courses. Coming up next, we’ll take a closer look at the specific training opportunities available in the city!
The National Counselling Society (NCS)
The National Counselling Society (NCS) is another major professional body for counsellors in the UK. Similar to the BACP, becoming an NCS member requires completing recognised training and meeting specific  qualification criteria.
In York, there are several NCS-accredited counselling courses available, but only one provider currently offers the Level 4 qualification required for full NCS membership. We’ll explore these options in the next section.
At Astranti Connect, we believe that the BACP route is the best option for most aspiring counsellors. You can learn more about this in our definitive guide to counselling qualifications.
Alternative pathways
If you’re looking to develop counselling skills for personal growth or to complement another profession- such as education, healthcare, or leadership- without the goal of becoming a fully qualified counsellor, York offers additional training opportunities.
Several providers offer short counselling courses, some of which lead to recognised qualifications that could later count towards BACP or NCS accreditation if you choose to continue your studies. However, not all courses are accredited, so it’s important to verify their credibility, as unaccredited courses may not be widely recognised within the profession.
3. York counselling course providers
York has a variety of counselling training providers, and the right option for you will depend on your professional aspirations, areas of interest, and the specific counselling approach you want to follow.
Now, let’s take a look at the main training opportunities available.
Universities and colleges
York offers a range of institutions providing counselling courses, each tailored to different learning styles and career ambitions. Whether you’re looking for an academic setting with structured study or a more practical, hands-on approach, York has training options to suit various professional paths.
York St John University offers several counselling programmes, including:
- Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Counselling Skills – A one-year, part-time course introducing key counselling theories and practices.
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Counselling – A two-year, part-time programme that integrates theoretical knowledge with supervised clinical practice.
- MA in Counselling – An advanced course focusing on professional practice, ethical considerations, and research methods.
For those seeking a more vocational route, York College & University Centre provides a Foundation Degree in Counselling, covering Levels 2 to 5. This course emphasises practical skills, making it ideal for those who want to gain hands-on experience alongside their studies.
These options showcase the variety of counselling training available in York, ensuring prospective students can find a programme that aligns with their goals and preferred learning style.
Specialist providers
York has several specialist counselling training providers dedicated exclusively to counselling and mental health education. These providers often offer smaller class sizes, personalised tutor support, and strong local industry connections, making them an excellent choice for those seeking an immersive and supportive learning environment.
Here are some key specialist providers in York:
- York Learning – Offers CPCAB-accredited Level 2 and Level 3 courses, providing a strong foundation for those looking to progress to higher qualifications.Â
- York College & University Centre – Provides counselling training from Level 2 to Level 4, with an emphasis on practical skills and real-world application.
- Chrysalis Courses also runs counselling and hypnotherapy training in York, offering part-time study options accredited by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and the National Hypnotherapy Society. These courses are designed to be flexible for those balancing work and study.
- Astranti Connect – (saving the best for last!), we offer CPCAB-accredited counselling courses from Level 2 to Level 6. While we don’t have a York-based training hub, our Leeds centre is the nearest location for in-person study. If flexibility is your priority, our online training hub provides a fantastic alternative!
4. Classroom vs Online: what should you choose?
Great question! Just like choosing the right qualification and training provider, selecting the best study format depends on your career ambitions in counselling.
If you plan to become a member of a professional counselling body, both BACP and NCS have clear requirements, including the need for a significant portion of your training hours to be completed through face-to-face learning.
Looking again at the CPCAB route to BACP membership, both Level 2 and Level 3 courses can be completed online. However, for the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma, at least 75% of the training must take place in person.
This means that if you’re aiming for BACP or NCS membership, you’ll need to choose a course that includes a combination of online and face-to-face learning—or opt for fully in-person training if that suits you better. Be mindful when selecting a provider, as some offer online-only Level 4 courses, which do not meet the membership requirements for BACP or NCS.
Another key requirement for BACP and NCS membership is that any online training must be live and interactive, typically delivered through platforms like Zoom. This allows real-time engagement with tutors and peers, ensuring you build essential practical counselling skills. Professional bodies do not recognise self-paced, pre-recorded courses for accreditation.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a fully online course compared to a blended approach with both online and in-person learning?
Advantages of online counselling training:Â
- More flexibility
- Not just limited to local courses
- Reduced costs
Disadvantages of online counselling training:Â
- Technical difficulties
- Possibility for distractions
- Some social interaction may be lost
- You need to be careful choosing the right online course
In the end, there’s no single right answer when choosing between online-only, in-person, or blended counselling courses. The best option depends on your learning preferences, schedule, and career ambitions, so it’s essential to select a format that suits your individual needs.
For more details on this topic, take a look at our definitive guide to online counselling courses.
5. Why join a Connect course?
So, why do we think you should study with us?Â
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 Bristol, but you’d like to take part in one of our classroom counselling courses, we also have counselling hubs in Devon, Wiltshire, Norwich, Sheffield and Manchester. 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
No matter whether you prefer classroom-based or online learning, we have a range of courses to fit your needs!
At our Leeds hub, we offer the following in-person courses:
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Fast-track to Level 3Â
Fast-track to Level 4Â
All of our courses are CPCAB-accredited, and earning the Level 4 Diploma offers a recognised route to BACP membership. Plus, it counts towards the CPCAB Open University Foundation Degree, allowing you the opportunity to graduate with a degree as you progress in your studies.
If you need more flexibility, we offer live online courses for Levels 2 and 3, with both daytime and evening options available. These can be completed entirely online, as long as they are live and interactive. However, for Level 4, most of your training must be classroom-based to meet BACP membership requirements.
Once qualified, you can continue your journey with our Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling andLevel 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision—because why stop there?
While we don’t have a centre in York, our Leeds hub is the closest option for in-person training. If travel is a challenge, our online training hub could be the perfect alternative. We also have centres across the UK, including Devon, Liverpool, Glasgow, London, Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Manchester. Explore 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 Leeds, 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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