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Many counselling students pour their time, energy, and money into rigorous qualifications — often delivered through traditional, classroom-based programmes. Yet when the course ends and the certificate is in hand, a common, painful question emerges:
“I’m qualified… but now what?”
Despite years of study, many new therapists leave training feeling professionally underprepared for the realities of private practice. They understand theory — but not the business. They’ve learned Carl Rogers, but not contracts. They’ve written case studies, but never written a referral letter.
At the NACP, we call this the “What Next?” Problem — and it’s time the profession started talking about it.
The Gap Between Theory and Practice
Traditional counselling courses often prioritise depth of academic learning and face-to-face group process. While this is valuable and formative, it frequently comes at the cost of practical preparation.
Many students report:
- Little or no guidance on setting up in private practice
- Confusion around contracts, insurance, policies, or data protection
- No insight into marketing or how to find clients
- Uncertainty about supervision options or CPD planning
- Limited understanding of ethical complexities in digital or hybrid practice
This isn’t a reflection on the students — it’s a reflection of a training system that has not evolved fast enough to meet the needs of newly qualified practitioners entering a 2025 landscape.
Why This Matters
Without guidance, new therapists:
- Delay launching their practice — or give up entirely
- Operate without clear ethical or legal protections
- Feel isolated and unsupported in their first years
- Miss out on building the sustainable, ethical businesses our communities need
In short, we’re losing capable therapists not because they lack the passion or competence — but because no one showed them how to bridge the gap between training and real-world practice.
How the NACP Supports the “What Next?” Generation
At the NACP, we’re not just a membership body. We’re a professional home for qualified therapists who want to feel supported, recognised, and equipped for practice — not left behind.
Here’s how we help:
✔️ Practical Tools, Not Just Theory
Our members get access to real-world resources: contracts, intake forms, supervision logs, CPD planners, client consent templates, and more — all ready to use from day one.
✔️ Supervision That Supports Growth
We offer access to qualified supervisors who don’t just tick boxes — they guide members through ethical dilemmas, case reflection, and business-building confidence.
✔️ Ongoing Learning That Makes Sense
Our CPD expectations are clear, current, and achievable. We also signpost quality training that’s actually useful in practice — not just on paper.
✔️ Peer & Mentor Support
We’re building a professional community where new therapists can ask “small” questions without feeling small. Because everyone deserves support in those first, uncertain months.
It’s Time to Rethink Therapist Development
We respect traditional training. But we also believe that training alone is not enough. Counselling and psychotherapy are professions — and like any profession, they require mentorship, structure, and real-world preparation beyond qualification.
At the NACP, we’re closing the gap between qualification and confident, competent, ethical practice. Because being a good therapist isn’t just about theory — it’s about applying that theory in the real world, day after day, with clarity, integrity, and support.
If You’ve Ever Thought “What Now?” — You’re Not Alone
If you’re newly qualified and unsure of your next steps — you are not the problem. The system didn’t finish the job. We’d love to help.
The NACP is here to support you with the tools, community, and supervision you need to build a practice you can be proud of.
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