![A row of four wooden doors in an old garden wall, each with a blank brass plate, and a lavender armchair on the path in front](https://viacara.com/img/content/guides-titles-feature-light.webp) # Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist or Psychiatrist What each UK title means, which ones the law protects, who keeps the register and how to look a professional up before you book. ## Four titles, *four* kinds of training These four titles sound alike. Each one means a different kind of training, and the law treats them in different ways. | Title | What it usually means | Protected by law? | Where to check | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Counsellor | Talking therapy, often for a set number of sessions | No | An accredited register | | Psychotherapist | Talking therapy, often longer or deeper | No | An accredited register | | Psychologist | A psychology degree and further training | Some titles, such as clinical psychologist | The HCPC register | | Psychiatrist | A medical doctor who specialises in mental health | Registered as a doctor | The GMC register | ## Which titles the *law* protects The HCPC is the body that protects nine psychologist titles. Clinical psychologist is one of them. Nobody can use these titles unless they are on the HCPC register. The word "psychologist" on its own is not protected. Nor are counsellor, psychotherapist or therapist. Anyone can use those words, whatever their training. That is not a warning sign on its own. Many counsellors choose to join a body that keeps a register. Sources: [HCPC: protected titles](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#ref-1), [HCPC: regulation of psychologists](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#ref-2) ## Accredited *registers* The PSA checks registers for jobs the law does not cover. A register it approves must set standards for its members and deal with complaints. The BACP, the UKCP and the NCPS all keep approved registers for talking therapy. Many CBT therapists join CBT Register UK, which the BABCP helps to run. The UKCP notes that its register is voluntary, so anyone can call themselves a psychotherapist. A register is how you tell who has trained. Sources: [PSA: Accredited Registers](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#ref-4), [PSA: CBT Register UK](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#ref-5), [UKCP: our register](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#ref-6) ![A small wooden noticeboard beside the garden doors, with a ledger open on a shelf beneath it](https://viacara.com/img/content/guides-titles-mid-light.webp) Each door has a register you can check. ## Psychiatrists and *medication* A psychiatrist is a doctor who has gone on to train in mental health. Because they are doctors, they can give you medicine. Most people see a psychiatrist through their GP or an NHS team. If you think medicine might help, start with your GP. The other three work through talking. They can work alongside your GP. Source: [NHS London: psychiatry](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#ref-3) ## How to *check* a professional - Ask which register they are on. - Look up a protected title, such as clinical psychologist, on the [HCPC register](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/). - Look up a psychiatrist on the [GMC register](https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/our-registers). - Look up anyone else with the [PSA register search](https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/practitioners). - Check the name and title are the same as the ones they gave you. ## If something goes *wrong* Each register has a way to raise a concern. The HCPC and the GMC look at concerns about the people on their lists. An approved register looks at complaints about its own members. You do not need to be sure something was wrong. Tell them what happened. They can say if it is a matter for them. On this page [Four titles, four kinds of training](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#four-titles-four-kinds-of-training) [Which titles the law protects](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#which-titles-the-law-protects) [Accredited registers](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#accredited-registers) [Psychiatrists and medication](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#psychiatrists-and-medication) [How to check a professional](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#how-to-check-a-professional) [If something goes wrong](https://viacara.com/guides/titles-and-regulators/#if-something-goes-wrong) Related [Finding the Right Support](https://viacara.com/guides/finding-a-practitioner/) [Therapy, Coaching or Hypnotherapy?](https://viacara.com/guides/therapy-coaching-or-hypnotherapy/) [Understanding Different Approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/) [What to Expect from a First Consultation](https://viacara.com/guides/what-to-expect/) [Counselling](https://viacara.com/approaches/counselling/) Thanks for your interest. We're not taking on new clients at the moment. ## Find the right *kind* of help We ask what matters to you, then find professionals who fit. Leave your email and we'll let you know as soon as we're ready for you. This conversation helps us find you the right support. What you share helps us understand what you're looking for and find someone who fits. Your email keeps you updated on what's happening next and isn't shared with anyone we introduce you to. [Privacy policy](https://viacara.com/privacy/) [Terms of service](https://viacara.com/terms/) ## References 1. Health and Care Professions Council (2025). *The professions we regulate*. [hcpc-uk.org](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/about-us/who-we-regulate/the-professions/) 2. Health and Care Professions Council (2023). *Understanding the regulation of psychologists*. [hcpc-uk.org](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/news-and-events/blog/2023/understanding-the-regulation-of-psychologists/) 3. NHS London (2025). *Psychiatry*. [londonwaitingroom.nhs.uk](https://londonwaitingroom.nhs.uk/psychiatry) 4. Professional Standards Authority (2026). *About Accredited Registers*. [professionalstandards.org.uk](https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/organisations-we-oversee/our-work-accredited-registers/about-accredited-registers) 5. Professional Standards Authority (2023). *Professional Standards Authority accredits CBT Register UK*. [professionalstandards.org.uk](https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/professional-standards-authority-accredits-cbt-register-uk) 6. UK Council for Psychotherapy (2026). *Our register*. [psychotherapy.org.uk](https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/about-ukcp/our-register/) ## Related ### [Finding the Right Support](https://viacara.com/guides/finding-a-practitioner/) A practical guide to finding a mental health practitioner who fits your needs, preferences and budget. ### [Therapy, Coaching or Hypnotherapy?](https://viacara.com/guides/therapy-coaching-or-hypnotherapy/) A plain guide to the difference between a therapist, a coach and a hypnotherapist, what each is for and how to tell which one you need. ### [Understanding Different Approaches](https://viacara.com/guides/understanding-approaches/) A plain-English guide to the main therapeutic approaches including CBT, person-centred therapy, psychodynamic and integrative methods. ### [What to Expect from a First Consultation](https://viacara.com/guides/what-to-expect/) Everything you need to know about your first therapy or coaching session, from what to say to how to prepare. ### [Counselling](https://viacara.com/approaches/counselling/) Learn what counselling is, what sessions look like, how it differs from CBT and psychotherapy and how to find a counsellor on a recognised register.