How do you find out if someone is a legitimate therapist?

[GreenTeaMug]

I am asking because I think a friend of mine is being taken for a ride. She is getting therapy from someone who claims to be a Dip Psych and registered who I cannot find on the internet anywhere and who is engaing in some very strange boundary pushing such as writing directly to my friend's employer demanding answers to workplace niggles my friend has. This 'therapist' has even written a letter to a mutual friend accusing her of mistreating the friend (her apparent client) in question. It seems at best unprofessional, and at worst perhaps like she is a con person. I have had concerns for a while (my friend is deeply vulnerable) and like I said I cannot for the life of me find this 'therapist' or her consulting rooms on the interwebs.

Yes, BACP is a membership body but you can't join unless you've done a regulated course or prove competence (they have their certificate of competence test)

Anyone can practice as a 'therapist/counsellor' but they won't be able to join any of the bodies I'm a member of unless they're qualified

Your friend OP is very clearly receiving therapy from someone unqualified to practice - no qualified practitioner would do what you describe

There are unregulated bodies too, I’ve seen them. There are a LOT of crooks operating as “therapists”. It’s very dangerous all round but the government will not regulate, as they want an open market and deep down they don’t care about mental health.