You may recall that I qualified as a psychotherapeutic therapist back in January 2024 (Kim Tasso qualifies as a psychotherapeutic counsellor). In the 18 months since then my private practice in Central London, Folkestone and online has flourished (Tasso Talking Therapy). I enjoy working with clients from all walks of life: lawyers, accountants, finance professionals, health practitioners, business people, project managers, creatives, actors, beauticians, mums, dads…the list goes on. And now I can claim another training milestone – a level 5 diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling accredited by the Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB). Another qualification as a practicing psychotherapeutic counsellor.
This most recent course required me to spend one weekend a month between October 2024 and July 2025 online with tutors and other students. And a whole heap of work in between studying, completing practical case studies and writing theoretical assignments. Huge thanks to Counselling & Psychotherapy Training Academy (CPTA) and my fabulous tutors – Maggie Curran and the marvellous traumatologist (1) Kay Choudary | LinkedIn
Train as a counsellor and psychotherapist
People often ask about how to train as a psychotherapist. I warn them that it is a long, time-consuming and expensive process. Although my journey wasn’t typical as I spread it over a long time, while remaining a full time management and marketing consultant.
To practice you must achieve a minimum of a level 4 qualification – recognised by a professional body such as the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society NCPS | Counselling Matters or British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Training includes a prescribed number of hours (a minimum of 100) working with clients under clinical supervision in an approved placement. My training as a therapist looks like this:
- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Academy (CPTA) mapped by CPCAB to UKCP. 2024 – 2025
- Level 4 Advanced Diploma in Counselling National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) accredited. 2021 – 2023. Heartwood Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Training – One of the South Wests leading providers in accredited training courses in counselling Research project on complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD)
- Mental Health First Aider MHFA England 2021 Transforming your workplace with expert mental health training and consultancy · MHFA England
- Level 5 Counselling Diploma British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) approved. 2015 – 2016 (Year one only) RHACC | Richmond | London UK |
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling skills (EdExcel/Pearson) British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) approved. 2014-2015
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (EdExcel/Pearson) British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) approved. 2014
- Occupational Ability/Personality Test User Level A & B (NEO PI-R) British Psychological Society (BPS) 2013 Neo Personality Inventory | BPS – British Psychological Society
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner MacKay Solutions 2008 MacKay Solutions | Training For Success
- Diploma in Professional Coaching & Mentoring Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring (now OCM) 2002-2003 Diploma in Professional Coach-mentoring | The OCM
- BA (Hons) Psychology Upper Second British Psychological Society (BPS) approved. 1983 – 1989
While I have vowed not to embark on any further qualifications – therapists do have to complete a significant amount of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year. And I am a little tempted to consider some further education in trauma (possible EMDR)….Watch this space in 2026
Articles on relationships, anxiety, confidence, self-esteem and therapy
My therapy web site is: Tasso Talking Therapy (Please don’t hesitate to telephone or email for an informal and confidential chat about your mental health)
Assertiveness toolbox – Kim Tasso May 2025
What happens in therapy? – Kim Tasso April 2025
Confidence to overcome a fear of failure – Kim Tasso September 2024
my relationships like rollercoaster rides? Volatile relationships (kimtasso.com) August 2024
How do you choose a therapist? – Kim Tasso July 2024
Kim Tasso launches new counselling and psychotherapy service March 2024
Kim Tasso qualifies as a psychotherapeutic counsellor January 2024
Emotional Regulation – A key element of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) (kimtasso.com) August 2021
Psychology and business communication (kimtasso.com) January 2015 An introduction to Transactional Analysis (TA) and the Parent Adult Child model
10 tips to increase your resilience – Kim Tasso March 2013
Therapy self-help book reviews
Attached by Dr Amir Levine and Rachel Heller August 2025. Explore your attachment style and what it means for your relationships
Book review – Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers June 2024. Classic self-help book on managing anxiety
Book review – Counselling for toads May 2025. The modern classic explaining Transactional Analysis (TA) using a story by Robert de Board using Toad and other characters from “Wind in the Willows”
Book Review: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle March 2025 A best-selling guide to ceasing your incessant thoughts, focusing on the present “here and now”, spiritual enlightenment and finding inner peace.
Overcoming low self-esteem – a self help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques January 2025
Book review: Taking charge of Adult ADHD by Russell A Barkley (kimtasso.com) October 2024
“Adult children of emotionally immature parents – how to heal (kimtasso.com) August 2024 An excellent book that has helped several clients suffering from anxiety, depression and “failed” relationships. How to recognise emotional, driven, passive and rejecting parenting styles and the coping mechanisms adopted (e.g. people pleasing, high independence etc).
Book reviews on stress and trauma – “When the body says No” (kimtasso.com) June 2024 Review of “When the body says no – The cost of hidden stress” by Gabor Mate and “The body keeps the score – mind, brain and body in the transformation of trauma” by Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk
Book review: The Thriving Lawyer by Traci Cipriano (resilience) (kimtasso.com) June 2024 A review of a book into the mental health and resilience of lawyers in law firm cultures. The author is a former practising attorney and clinical psychologist.
The Tools – Five life-changing techniques to unlock your potential (kimtasso.com) April 2024 A review of the book by psychiatrist Phil Stutz
Book review – Creating self-esteem by Lynda Field (kimtasso.com) March 2024 A classic book on realizing your true self worth
Book review: How to do the work (recognise your patterns (kimtasso.com) December 2023. Review of a book to support psychoeducation. Topics include: conscious self, theory of trauma, mind-body healing practices, inner child, boundaries, reparenting and emotional maturity.
Dr Julie Smith (Mental Health Guidance) (kimtasso.com) July 2023. Review of the book “Why has nobody told me this before?” that explores helpful ideas on low mood and depression, motivation, anxiety, emotional pain, grief, self-doubt, fear, stress and a meaningful life.
Overcoming clinical depression (2021) by Oliver Kamm (kimtasso.com) March 2023. A review of the book “Mending the Mind” which explores what it is like to suffer from depression and both the medical and psychological sources of help.
Lost connections – Why you’re depressed by Johann Hari (kimtasso.com) October 2019. A review of a popular book about the nine common reasons people suffer from depression.
Crazy busy – Book review – Dealing with stress (kimtasso.com) October 2009. This book examines modern life and offers practical advice to avoid stress and restore calm.
Book review: The psychology of successful women by Shona Rowan (kimtasso.com) June 2022. Topics include: confidence, assertiveness, boundaries, public speaking, impact, influence, visibility and bouncing back from setbacks.
Your personal transition – Endings, neutral zone and new beginnings (kimtasso.com) June 2020. Helps you navigate major changes in your life and prepares you for the emotional roller-coaster of change.
Short videos on therapy topics
Self-Motivation – Ten top tips (Video) from Kim Tasso January 2021
Soft skills – Boost your self-confidence and confidence (Video) (kimtasso.com) October 2020
Business relationships – Using the drama triangle to resolve conflict (kimtasso.com) September 2020
How the parent, adult, child (PAC) model helps with difficult interactions (kimtasso.com) September 2020
An introduction to emotional intelligence (EQ) and empathy (Video) July 2020
Soft skills: Introduction to coaching – Three frameworks June 2020
Change process – Emotions when reacting to change (kimtasso.com) April 2020
Building Resilience – Regulation, Reframing, Relationships and Reflection (kimtasso.com) May 2020
