Setting up and running a pastoral team
This training session is aimed at potential and current pastoral team leaders and church leaders seeking practical information to assist them in setting up and running a pastoral team within a church context.
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All ACC registered counsellors comply with our standards and adhere to our ethics and practice. If you are looking to see if a particular counsellor is registered with us, please use Check ACC register.
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ACC's unique place in the world of professional counselling/psychotherapy in the UK
ACC’s registered and accredited counsellors/psychotherapists are recognised within the professional counselling/psychotherapy world as having achieved the appropriate education, skill, and knowledge to be able to practice safely in all settings. Our levels of membership map to the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) competency framework developed by six Professional Standards Authority accredited bodies, including ACC, BACP, and UKCP which represent over 75,000 counsellors and psychotherapists. ACC members are employed in the same way as other professional counsellors/psychotherapists, for example, the NHS, schools and universities, prisons, employee assistance services and private counselling/psychotherapy services. ACC members’ unique value is ensuring that clients have choice in selecting a counsellor or psychotherapist who shares, values and respects religious faith and spirituality. Importantly, ACC members work with people of all faiths and none, without discrimination, and within a code of ethics and practice.
As an example of the value of providing a service that is open to all, delivered by counsellors who are Christian, NHS England and NHS Improvement commissioned ACC to provide a counselling service to their employees between 2021 and 2023.
Pastoral care workshops and courses
We are committed to promoting quality pastoral care through our training resources which enable:
- ALL of church to develop quality relationships
- SOME of church to develop their pastoral gifts
- a FEW of church to equip the all and the some
Each resource is interactive, raising questions, encouraging the sharing of experience, embracing discussion, developing skills where appropriate and using scripture and prayer.
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Counselling training
Qualifying training
If you are hoping to qualify as a counsellor, or progress in the profession, we have a directory of courses run by organisations affiliated with ACC at all levels. Visit our Find a training course.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) with ACC
Throughout the year we offer relevant, enriching and affordable CPD training to support your continuing professional development as a counsellor/psychotherapist. We invite trusted and experienced trainers to deliver high quality teaching in-person and online. If you are an ACC member, you will receive regular emails about any upcoming ACC training as well as training delivered by members or associates, and free members-only forums.
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Building Blocks in Pastoral Care: Pastoral Training Course Pt2
Building Blocks in Pastoral Care is a 6-session online course for experienced pastoral carers that supports further development of knowledge, skills and practice.
Foundations in Pastoral Care: Pastoral Training Course Part 1
A 6-week online course that supports the development of firm foundations for the practical provision of pastoral care with others.
Latest News
NHS Pathways
Students enter final year of landmark psychotherapeutic training
Regulation of the profession
A recent article in The Guardian “All psychotherapists in England must be regulated, experts say, after abuse claims rise” (read article here), raised the issue of the dangers of psychotherapists not being regulated and that MPs would consider lobbying the government to revisit statutory regulation of psychotherapy and counselling. The MPs concern seems to arise from reports of a rise in lawsuits by patients for alleged harm done during therapy.
Coalition of mental health organisations to tackle the impacts of climate change
ACC has joined other leading mental health organisations to form a coalition calling for more support to protect the UK’s mental health in the face of climate change.