380 – AI and Regulation in Counselling Practice

Teaching Counselling – A New Career Path? – The Reality of Self-Employment in Counselling

In Episode 380 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week’s three topics:

Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, they explore AI and regulation in counselling practice – looking at the current regulatory landscape, ethical responsibilities, and what practitioners need to consider when using AI tools.

Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Sarah Henry about teaching counselling as a potential career path – exploring the transition from practitioner to educator and the skills required to support future counsellors.

And finally, in ‘Student Services’, Rory and Ken discuss the reality of self-employment in counselling – examining what it takes to build and sustain a private practice as a business.

AI and Regulation in Counselling Practice [starts at 03:13 mins]

In this section, Rory and Ken explore AI and regulation in counselling practice, examining the developing regulatory landscape surrounding AI in counselling and psychotherapy, and what ethical practitioners need to consider before integrating AI tools into their work.

Key points discussed include:

• AI tools sit within a practitioner’s professional responsibility – counsellors remain accountable for how these tools are used in practice.
• The UK regulatory landscape includes medical device regulation, UK GDPR, data protection legislation, professional ethics, and evidential standards.
• Practitioners should carefully review what data an AI tool collects, where it is stored, how it is used, and whether clients have provided informed consent.
• The Shared AI Charter for counselling and psychotherapy organisations emphasises client-centred ethics, transparency, human connection, equality, and ongoing evaluation.
• NICE is increasingly evaluating digital health technologies, encouraging practitioners to look for independent evidence supporting any AI tool they use.
• Key considerations include purpose, evidence, data protection, consent, bias, impact on the therapeutic relationship, and accountability if something goes wrong.

Teaching Counselling – A New Career Path? [starts at 33:41 mins]

In this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Sarah Henry about what counsellors should consider if they are thinking about moving into teaching and counselling education.

Key points from this conversation include:

• Becoming a counselling tutor requires a shift from the role of practitioner to educator, with teaching skills being just as important as counselling knowledge.
• Formal teaching qualifications and experience of educational practice provide an important foundation for effective counselling education.
• Counselling tutors carry significant emotional labour as they support learners through personal and professional development.
• Maintaining appropriate boundaries is essential, balancing relational teaching with the responsibility to assess students against required standards.
• Tutors bring counselling theory to life by integrating real-world clinical experience and helping students connect learning with practice.
• Effective educators model professionalism, authenticity, and ethical practice while encouraging students to develop their own therapeutic identity.

The Reality of Self-Employment in Counselling [starts at 01:01:26 mins]

In this section, Rory and Ken discuss what counsellors need to understand about running a private practice and why counselling skills alone are not enough to sustain a successful business.

Key points include:

• Private practice is fundamentally self-employment and requires business knowledge alongside counselling competence.
• Counselling fees must cover much more than client sessions, including supervision, CPD, insurance, administration, room hire, taxes, holidays, and other business costs.
• Developing business skills such as marketing, networking, budgeting, and client acquisition is crucial for long-term sustainability.
• Many practitioners benefit from a portfolio career, combining counselling with teaching, supervision, consultancy, or related work.
• Building a successful practice takes time, patience, and consistent effort, with referrals and professional networks often becoming important sources of clients.
• Surrounding yourself with positive, experienced practitioners rather than pessimistic voices can help build confidence and support professional growth.

Links and Resources

Counselling Skills Academy

Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide

Counsellor CPD

Counselling Study Resource

Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide

Counselling Tutor Training and CPD

Facebook group

Website

Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide

Online and Telephone Counselling Course