European Board for Certified Counselors

What European Board for Certified Counselors does

The European Board for Certified Counselors (EBCC) is a Portugal-based nonprofit organization (Associação) founded in 2010 as the European affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Operating from a 5-person office in Pontinha, Portugal, EBCC promotes the professionalization of counseling across Europe through three credentialing programs: the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF), a 120+ hour certification recognized in 23 countries; the Certified Supervision Professional (CSP), a 120-hour supervision training program; and the Mental Health Facilitator (MHF), a 30-hour program developed in consultation with the World Health Organization and implemented in 35 countries. EBCC distributes these programs through a network of national partners in 8 European countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, North Macedonia, Romania), each responsible for local program administration, training, and certification.

EBCC's business model relies on one-time and recurring certification and credentialing fees (CSP carries a 3-year renewal cycle), with revenue flowing from candidate enrollment, certification applications, and recertification processes. The organization does not operate proprietary technology platforms; program delivery for distance training uses standard video conferencing tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype), while two Erasmus+ funded projects yielded the FUTURE Time Traveller VR platform and the ACCEnT e-Learning platform as project deliverables. Go-to-market is event-driven (e.g., the 2025 European Mental Health Summit, 2022 Global Capacity Building Conference) and partner-led, supplemented by a website, LinkedIn presence, email newsletters, and direct inquiry forms. Marketing emphasizes brand association with NBCC, CCE, and NBCC Foundation, and the global GCDF community of 30,000+ credentialed professionals.

Name

European Board for Certified Counselors

Legal name

European Board for Certified Counselors (EBCC) Associação

Website

https://europeanbcc.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EBCC is a Portugal-based nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. National Board for Certified Counselors that promotes counseling professionalization across Europe through three credentialing programs (GCDF, CSP, MHF) distributed via national partners in 8 European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Credentialing Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Professional Organizations (81392), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare Licensing, Accreditation & Credentialing Boards (HLAJACAC), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Professional credentialing services
• Career development certification
• Counselor training programs
• Mental health facilitation
• Supervision professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Pontinha

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Credentialing and Certification Fees: EBCC generates revenue through certification and credentialing fees for the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF), Certified Supervision Professional (CSP), and Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) programs. These are one-time and recurring (3-year renewal for CSP) fees associated with training completion, certification application, and recertification processes.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

European Board for Certified Counselors (EBCC) is a Portugal-based nonprofit credentialing body that administers three professional certification programs — Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF), Certified Supervision Professional (CSP), and Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) — developed in collaboration with NBCC and CCE. The organization promotes common professional and ethical standards for counseling across Europe through a network of 8 country-level partners that deliver training and certification locally.

Product overview

EBCC offers three core credentialing and training programs: the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) for career development professionals, the Certified Supervision Professional (CSP) for supervision training, and the Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) for mental health facilitation. Additionally, EBCC has developed technology platforms including the FUTURE Time Traveller (a VR-based career guidance platform) and the ACCEnT e-Learning platform for online training. The organization operates as a credentialing body promoting professional standards across Europe through its network of national partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) An international credentialing program of 120+ hours that trains and certifies individuals to assist and support others in making informed career decisions. It is aimed at career development professionals, HR specialists, coaches, educators, and counselors seeking a globally recognized, locally adapted credential with continuing education requirements (75 CE hours for maintenance).
• Certified Supervision Professional (CSP) A 120-hour training and certification program for helping professionals, managers, and HR specialists seeking foundational knowledge, skills, and techniques of professional supervision, with practical training and a three-year recertification cycle.
• Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) A 30-hour training program that equips individuals outside the formal mental health field — such as community members, medical doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, and volunteers — with basic helping and referral skills to bridge the gap between mental health care needs and resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ professionals credentialed as GCDF globally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCC is the parent organization of EBCC, providing global leadership in counselor credentialing. EBCC serves as NBCC's European affiliate, collaborating on counseling professionalization efforts across European countries. The partnership focuses on governmental recognition, expanding counselor numbers, strengthening training programs, and providing specialty credentials.
• NBCC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCC Foundation supports global capacity building initiatives. EBCC collaborates with NBCC Foundation on international scholarships (such as the 2024 GCDF Scholarship providing $1,000 awards) and programs like MHF, which is promoted in Europe by EBCC and NBCCF.
• Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCE, an affiliate of NBCC, developed the GCDF and CSP certification programs in collaboration with EBCC. CCE provides program frameworks that EBCC adapts for country-specific needs, and sponsors scholarships and awards for GCDF credential holders.
• Mental Health Academy (MHA)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEBCC partnered with MHA to co-host the 2025 European Mental Health Summit (March 22-23, 2025). This free online event features clinical insights, evidence-based interventions, and practical tools for mental health practice.
• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerIACP partnered with EBCC for the 2025 European Mental Health Summit, bringing together leading educators and mental health professionals for the online event.
• European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEBCC is proud to sponsor the 2026 Learning Institute of EB-ACA in Espoo, Finland (May 16-17, 2026). The event titled 'The Counseling Relationship as Healing: Connection, Happiness, and Human Flourishing' features keynote speaker Dr. Thomas Bien.
• FUTURE Project ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ KA3 project (December 2017 – November 2020) to transform career guidance for Generation Z. Partners: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU-ILI, coordinator), KSL (Finland), GRETB (Ireland), ASPIRE I LIMITED (UK), EBCC (Portugal). Developed VR platform for career decision-making.
• ACCEnT Project ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ KA2 project (October 2018 – November 2020) to accelerate coaching and counseling through e-tools. Partners: Business Foundation for Education (Bulgaria, coordinator), FAU (Germany), CTI (Greece), CIAP (Italy), ULO (Poland), EBCC (Portugal). Developed e-learning platform for career counselors working with hard-to-reach groups.
• Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU-ILI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAU-ILI served as project coordinator for the FUTURE Time Traveller project, collaborating with EBCC to develop innovative VR-based career guidance tools for Generation Z.
• My Career (North Macedonia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMy Career is the sole national NBCC & Affiliates partner in North Macedonia since 2011. Registered NGO in Skopje supporting individuals to enhance skills and adapt to labor market demands. Manages GCDF, MHF, and CSP program administration in North Macedonia.
• Career Associates (Greece)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCenter for Vocational Guidance & Educational Consulting Career Associates, established in Athens since 2010, aims to support and enhance the counselling profession in Greece. Collaborates with academic institutions, governmental and NGO organizations to develop counseling profession.
• IUK GmbH Institut Dortmund (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIUK GmbH has collaborated with EBCC since 2009 in adapting universally accepted counseling concepts to German national, cultural and social needs. Contributed to establishment of strong GCDF and MHF professional communities in Germany.
• Business Foundation for Education (BFE) (Bulgaria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBFE is a private entity established in February 2007 to promote the career counseling profession in Bulgaria. Efforts aim to enhance quality of career guidance services and ensure better access for Bulgarian citizens to lifelong guidance.
• Ifjúsági Koordinációs és Szolgáltató Egyesület (IKSZE) (Hungary)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEBCC started collaboration with IKSZE in 2013 through a Leonardo da Vinci programme (Transfer of Innovation project) to support Hungarian partner in developing career services tools and methodologies.
• Michelle Frantzi Counseling & Educational Services (Cyprus)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational NBCC & Affiliates partner in Cyprus since 2010, offering individual and group counselling, career counselling and vocational guidance services in Limassol. New programs constantly developed based on current needs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-board-for-certified-counselors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Board for Certified Counselors