The Challenges of Unregulated Counselling and Psychotherapy in Supporting Vulnerable Populations

Counselling and psychotherapy can be life-changing. They help people deal with anxiety, grief, trauma and everyday stress. For children and young people especially, access to emotional support can make all the difference.

But here’s the problem: in the UK, counselling and psychotherapy are largely unregulated. That means anyone can call themselves a counsellor or therapist, even without formal training. Scary, right?

Why It Matters

When you’re opening up about your most personal struggles, you deserve to know you’re in safe hands. Many counsellors are well-trained and ethical, but without regulation, there’s no guarantee. Clients, especially vulnerable ones, can end up with someone who simply isn’t qualified to help.

For children and young people, that risk is even greater. An untrained practitioner might mean well but could easily make things worse, leaving lasting emotional harm or discouraging them from seeking help again.

Schools on the Frontline

More schools are investing in mental health support, which is fantastic, but the lack of regulation makes it tricky to know who’s truly qualified. Inconsistent care can lead to mixed results, and young people deserve better than a postcode lottery when it comes to mental wellbeing.

Parents, it’s okay to be curious and to ask questions. Check what training and experience the person supporting your child really has. A six-week online course on emotional development doesn’t make someone qualified to offer proper emotional or therapeutic support.

Why Isn’t It Regulated?

Counselling developed from many different approaches, which has made regulation complicated. Some argue that it would stifle creativity or make therapy less accessible. But flexibility shouldn’t come at the cost of safety.

Time for Change

It’s time for counselling and psychotherapy to be further recognised, ensuring proper training, ethics, and accountability. Regulation isn’t about limiting therapy; it’s about protecting the people who need it most.

Until that happens, awareness is key. If you’re seeking support, check your therapist’s qualifications and memberships with recognised bodies like the BACP or NCPS. Because when it comes to mental health, good intentions aren’t enough, training and accountability matter.