What guidelines it has set out regarding online mental health counselling during the COVID-19 outbreak; what easing of these guidelines has…

The term counselling covers a wide range of therapeutic approaches. Some of these are highly defined and regulated (e.g. counselling psychologists), whereas others are not. Some counselling is delivered by therapists who are registered with a professional organisation that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). This means they have met the PSA's required professional standards to practise. The Scottish Government expects counselling professionals providing online mental health counselling during the COVID-19 outbreak to follow the guidance of their relevant professional organisation and to be trained to the level required by that organisation. Any variation of guidance or training requirements for practicing as a registered member of the professional counselling organisation is a matter for the professional organisation.