A BBC investigation has uncovered there are no laws against anyone operating as a therapist, psychotherapist or a counsellor in the UK.
Cheap online courses allow you to cheat to complete them, meaning qualifications are often meaningless.
BBC reporter Jordan Dunbar has been uncovering the impact of this lack of regulation.
Producer: Katie Inman
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, support and advice is available via BBC Action Line.
You can hear more about this issue in The Next Episode’s podcast Anyone Can Call Themselves A Therapist