Enhanced DBS Checks for Counsellors and Therapists in Private Practice
Working for yourself as a counsellor or therapist with adults or children? You could be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check in your own name, including the barred lists. Apply online and we’ll confirm you qualify before we submit anything.
- No employer needed to apply
- Eligibility checked by us before submission
- Digital ID using your passport and a smartphone
- One certificate for every client when you join the Update Service
Is your practice eligible?
From 21 January 2026, if you work for yourself, or the person you work for employs you directly, a registered umbrella body like us can process your own Enhanced DBS check. These roles tend to qualify:
Youth counsellors
Offering under-18s guidance or advice about their wellbeing.
Psychotherapists
Giving therapy to adults or to children.
Play therapists and child psychologists
Supporting children with their mental or emotional health.
Adult counsellors
Where your counselling forms part of the health care a person is receiving.
Which check matches your client work?
Two things decide it: who your clients are and how often you see them. We’ll go through this with you before your application is sent to the DBS.
Enhanced check + Children’s Barred List
When you regularly give counselling or therapy to children – that means any one of these:
- At least once a week
- On four or more days within any 30-day period
- Overnight, between 2am and 6am
Enhanced check + Adults’ Barred List
When your counselling or therapy is part of an adult’s health care. Not every type of adult counselling qualifies:
- Describe your work on your application
- We’ll confirm eligibility before we submit
- A Basic check is available if you don’t qualify
A member of the BACP, UKCP or BPS? These professional bodies don’t carry out DBS checks, although some may expect members to hold one, so check your body’s requirements. For your private practice, you can apply through us.
Examples from private practice
Youth counsellor
Has weekly private sessions with teenagers.
Child psychotherapist
Sees children twice a week after families refer them.
Private adult counsellor
Provides talking therapy to adults, unconnected to any health care they receive.
Applying in four simple steps
Fill in the online form
Use SELF-EMPLOYED as the organisation name, or PERSONAL EMPLOYEE when you’re employed directly by a client.
Confirm your ID online
You’ll need your biometric passport and a phone that can pay contactlessly.
We review and submit
We check your details and confirm the correct level of check, then send it on to the DBS.
Your certificate arrives
The DBS posts it to your address. Join the Update Service to keep it up to date.
What to have ready
- Your biometric passport and a contactless-enabled phone
- Who you work with – children, adults or both
- How often you see children, if you do
- For adult clients, whether your counselling is part of their health care
Choosing a counsellor or therapist?
Clients and families can’t apply for a DBS check for a therapist – the therapist must apply for their own. Feel free to ask to see the original certificate. If they’ve signed up to the DBS Update Service, you can also confirm free online that it’s still current.
Counsellor and therapist FAQs
All my clients are adults. Can I still apply?
That depends on what you do. Counselling that forms part of a person’s health care can qualify. Tell us about your work and we’ll confirm before anything is sent.
Does online therapy count?
Working with children online can count just like seeing them in person. We’ll go over the details with you.
My clients include children and adults. What do I need?
You might qualify for both barred lists. Mention this on your application and we’ll confirm.
Will each new client need me to get a new check?
Not necessarily. With the DBS Update Service, clients can confirm online, if you allow it, that your certificate remains valid.
Is a self-employed check more expensive?
No. It costs the same as an Enhanced check arranged through an employer.
What if I’m not eligible for an Enhanced check?
We’ll let you know before anything is submitted. You can then apply for a Basic DBS check.
Where can I get more help?
Try our guide to choosing a check and general FAQs, or email support@dbs-online.org.uk. Already applied? Track your application.
Other self-employed roles
Guidance for other roles that work with children or adults.
Ready to apply for your counsellor DBS check?
The online application takes only a few minutes. We confirm eligibility first, so you’ll only pay for the check that fits your work.