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.
Find a professional
You can use the search tool to find a counsellor/psychotherapist, coach/mentor or supervisor. If you are looking to see if a particular counsellor/psychotherapist is on ACC’s accredited register under the Professional Standards Authority, 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.
ACC National Conference 2026
We are excited to host this year’s in-person national conference in October.
Dates: Friday 2 October – Sunday 4 October 2026
Venue: Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ
Theme: Homecoming
Homecoming, as told in the story of the lost son, is less about geography than identity – a return to a place where we essentially belong. Homecoming happens when we have confidence that we can be seen, known, and welcomed, when empathy and grace help us return to where we came from, recognising where and with whom we belong. We hope the conference is an opportunity to explore what homecoming and belonging means in a Christian context and in our personal and professional lives.
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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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Pastoral care workshops and courses
We are committed to promoting quality pastoral care through our training resources which enable pastoral carers to:
- BEGIN their pastoral care journey of coming alongside others
- DEVELOP their pastoral gifts & knowledge
- DEEPEN and equip those in pastoral ministry in more specialist areas
Each training is delivered by experienced trainers, who encourage the sharing of experience, embrace discussion, facilitate participants to develop their skills, underpinning all, with scripture and prayer. All workshops and courses are delivered via Zoom in a safe and respectful online community. A workbook is provided and a certificate of attendance is issued upon completion of training.
Find out moreUpcoming Events
Pastoral accompaniment at the end of life
Aim of training: The purpose of this training session is to equip and enable pastoral carers and ministers to accompany those within our churches and communities who are at the end of their life.
Supervising in Complexity (Day 2): Supervision in multiple contexts
A CPD training day where we will be discussing supervision in different contexts, to understand the differences between clinical vs. managerial supervision; private practice vs. agency or statutory contexts; including keeping supervisee’s safe.
Latest News
ACC launches new coaching and mentoring membership
After years of planning and preparation, ACC is pleased to announce that we have launched our new coaching and mentoring membership, taking another significant step towards our vision of being a professional home for Christians working in the intersection of wellbeing, spirituality and faith.
Commission for the future of counselling and psychotherapy
ACC is proud to be part of the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB) and welcomes the launch of an independently chaired Commission for the Future of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The Commission will hold a series of four structured, thematic roundtable sessions, with the first one taking place on 16 October 2025. The sessions will bring together voices from across the sector, decision-makers and those with lived experience.
Concerns regarding unexpected payment taken by “theacc.co.uk” or “ai-acc.co.uk”
A further update on concerns regarding unexpected payment taken by “theacc.co.uk” or “ai-acc.co.uk”