This tool searches publicly available registers. While we strive for accuracy, web scraping technology is not infallible and third-party website changes may occasionally cause errors. Always check spelling and confirm registration directly via the relevant register (you can do so by clicking the "Confirm Via Register" button below). This service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Results only reflect whether the searched name has been found on the registers - not competence or endorsement.
Search every major UK therapy register at once
There is no single register of therapists in the UK. Psychologists are regulated by law through the HCPC, while counsellors and psychotherapists join voluntary registers run by professional bodies. Checking someone usually means searching several websites.
Check Your Therapist searches the HCPC, BACP, UKCP and BABCP registers by name in one go, then links you to the official register so you can confirm the result.
Which registers we search
| Register | Who is on it | Type |
|---|---|---|
| HCPC | Practitioner psychologists, including clinical and counselling psychologists | Statutory (required by law) |
| BACP | Counsellors and psychotherapists | Voluntary, PSA accredited |
| UKCP | Psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors | Voluntary, PSA accredited |
| BABCP | CBT therapists and wellbeing practitioners (the CBT Register) | Voluntary, PSA accredited |
Not covered yet: other PSA accredited registers such as the NCPS, BPC, ACC and COSCA. You can find them through the Professional Standards Authority's Find a Register tool. Psychiatrists are doctors and appear on the GMC medical register.
Frequently asked questions
Is "counsellor" or "psychotherapist" a protected title in the UK?
No. Anyone in the UK can legally call themselves a counsellor, psychotherapist or therapist, whatever their training. That is why checking a voluntary register such as the BACP, UKCP or BABCP matters. These registers are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and only list practitioners who meet their training and ethical standards.
Does a match mean my therapist is good?
A match tells you that someone with that name appears on a professional register. It does not tell you about their competence, or that the person you are seeing is the same person. Confirm the details (such as location and membership number) on the official register, and ask your therapist for their registration number.
What if my therapist is not found?
It does not always mean something is wrong. They may be registered under a different name, be on a register we do not search yet (such as the NCPS or BPC), be a trainee, or have recently joined. Ask them which register they are on and check it directly. If you are still unsure, read our guide on what to do if your therapist is not registered.
Is Check Your Therapist free?
Yes. The search is free to use and we do not ask for any personal details.
Who runs Check Your Therapist?
Check Your Therapist was created by Dr Jack Stroud, a clinical psychologist registered with the HCPC, to make it quicker and easier for the public to check a therapist's registration.
More detail in our guides: how to check if your therapist is registered and what to do if your therapist isn't registered.