DBS Checks for Counsellors and Therapists
Self-employed counsellors, therapists, and psychotherapists in England and Wales can now apply for an Enhanced DBS check online, without an employer.
What Is a DBS Check for Counsellors and Therapists?
A DBS check for counsellors is a criminal record screening carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service. It shows whether a person has any criminal history that could affect their suitability to work with vulnerable people. For self-employed counsellors and therapists, the relevant level is an Enhanced DBS check.
An Enhanced DBS check reveals spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and any relevant police intelligence. If your counselling or therapy work falls within regulated activity, your check can also include a search of the Adults’ Barred List, the Children’s Barred List, or both.
Most private counsellors and psychotherapists work one-to-one with clients who are in a vulnerable position. That makes a therapist DBS check more than a formality. Clients, referral networks, and professional bodies increasingly expect it, and since January 2026 the route to get one as a self-employed practitioner is finally open.
If you provide talking therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, or any other form of therapeutic support in a private or self-employed capacity, a counsellor DBS check confirms to your clients that you have been properly screened.
Do Self-Employed Counsellors and Therapists Need a DBS Check?
If you work as a self-employed counsellor, therapist, or psychotherapist seeing clients who are children, young people, or vulnerable adults, you should have an Enhanced DBS check. This applies whether you see clients at home, in a private consulting room, or online.
There is no single law that says every therapist must hold a DBS certificate. But the practical reality is clear. GP practices, employee assistance programmes, insurance providers, and private referral directories routinely require a current DBS check before they will list or refer to you. Parents hiring a child therapist will expect one. Adult clients dealing with trauma, addiction, or mental health conditions are classed as vulnerable, and working with them places you squarely within regulated activity.
Even where a DBS check for counsellors is not a strict legal requirement, operating without one limits who will refer to you and how much clients trust you. The check is inexpensive relative to the professional credibility it provides.
Get your Enhanced DBS check as a self-employed counsellor fully online, digital ID verification, e-Bulk submitted today from self-employed-dbs.co.uk.
Before 21 January 2026, self-employed counsellors and therapists had no way to apply for an Enhanced DBS check. The system only allowed applications through an employer or registered organisation. If you worked for yourself, the highest level of check available to you was a Basic DBS, which shows only unspent convictions and nothing else.
That meant a self-employed psychotherapist could be working with deeply vulnerable clients, including children, without any barred list screening or disclosure of spent convictions. The gap had existed for years, and it was a significant safeguarding weakness.
A Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament on 20 November 2025 closed that gap. It amended Part V of the Police Act 1997 and came into force on 21 January 2026. The change allows paid self-employed individuals in England and Wales to apply for Enhanced DBS checks through a registered platform, without needing an employer to countersign the application.
For self-employed counsellors, therapists, and psychotherapists, this is a significant shift. You can now access the same level of screening that employed therapists in NHS trusts and charities have always had. The January 2026 law change puts self-employed practitioners on an equal footing for the first time.
What Type of DBS Check Does a Counsellor or Therapist Need?
The type of therapist DBS check you need depends on who you work with and what your role involves. Most self-employed counsellors and psychotherapists will need an Enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.
If your work involves providing therapy or counselling to children or young people under 18, you are engaged in regulated activity with children. That requires an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List search.
If you counsel or provide therapy to vulnerable adults, including clients with mental health conditions, addiction, trauma, or learning disabilities, you are engaged in regulated activity with adults. That requires an Enhanced DBS check with an Adults’ Barred List search.
Many counsellors and therapists see both adults and young people. If that applies to you, your DBS check for counsellors should include both barred lists.
| Your Client Group | Check Required |
|---|---|
| Children and young people under 18 | Enhanced DBS + Children’s Barred List |
| Vulnerable adults | Enhanced DBS + Adults’ Barred List |
| Both children and vulnerable adults | Enhanced DBS + Both Barred Lists |
| General adult clients (not vulnerable) | Enhanced DBS (no barred list) |
If you are unsure which check applies to your practice, the self-employed DBS checks hub explains each level in full.
How to Get a DBS Check as a Self-Employed Counsellor
The process is straightforward, though it differs from the route an employed counsellor would take.
Check eligibility
You must be paid and in a qualifying role. Volunteers are not covered.
Register an account
Self-employed applicants cannot submit directly to the DBS.
Complete application
Personal details, 5 years of addresses, and your role information.
Verify your identity
Digitally via biometric passport or EU ID card, or with standard documents.
Receive certificate
Posted directly to you. Show the original to your client or parent.
How Long Does a DBS Check Take for Counsellors?
Most Enhanced DBS checks for counsellors and therapists are returned within two to eight weeks. The majority are processed at the shorter end of that range. Delays can occur if your local police force holds information that requires additional review, or if there are queries on your application that need resolving.
There is no guaranteed fast-track for Enhanced checks. The Disclosure and Barring Service processes applications in order, and timescales depend partly on the police forces involved. You can track the progress of your application online once it has been submitted.
Once you receive your counsellor DBS certificate, consider signing up for the DBS Update Service within 30 days. It costs £16 per year and keeps your certificate current, so you never need to reapply from scratch. You can find more details on the frequently asked questions page.
How Much Does a DBS Check Cost for a Counsellor?
| Check Type | DBS Fee |
|---|---|
| Enhanced DBS | £49.50 |
| Enhanced + Barred List | £49.50 |
| DBS Update Service | £16/year |
The DBS fee is VAT-exempt. No payment is taken until your application is ready to submit. For a full breakdown of fees, visit the DBS check costs page.
This guide applies to self-employed workers in England and Wales only. Self-employed workers in Scotland should apply through Disclosure Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent service is AccessNI. This page is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, contact our support team or consult a qualified legal adviser.