We use cookies to improve and customise your experience, for analytics and metrics, and to track any purchases you make both on this website and on others. To find out more about the cookies we use see our cookie policy
More info
- Help people discuss their problems and feelings in a confidential environment
- Requires the ability to speak, listen and observe without judging, and the ability to build trust
- Work can be in various locations and emotionally demanding
As a Counsellor you may work in the NHS, education, youth services, a therapy clinic, at a GP practice, charities or from home. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
In this role you could be building a relationship of trust and respect, agreeing what will be covered in sessions, helping clients to talk about their concerns, listening carefully, asking questions and checking your understanding, empathising but challenging when necessary, helping clients to see things more clearly or differently, undergoing therapy yourself (needed for accreditation) and meeting your supervisor, and keeping confidential records. In most cases you'll counsel clients on their own, face-to-face, but you may also work with couples, families or groups, or counsel over the phone or internet.
Competition for full-time paid work is strong and many counsellors do a mixture of part-time, voluntary and private work. With experience, you could set up your own practice. You could choose to train as a counsellor supervisor or trainer. You could also move into a management or administration role.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Building a relationship of trust and respect
- Agreeing what will be covered in sessions
- Helping clients to talk about their concerns
- Listening carefully
- Asking questions and checking your understanding
- Empathising but challenging when necessary
- Helping clients to see things more clearly or differently
- Undergoing therapy yourself (needed for accreditation)
- Meeting your supervisor
- Keeping confidential records.
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
As a counsellor you may work in the NHS, education, youth services, a therapy clinic, at a GP practice, charities or from home. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
In most cases you'll counsel clients on their own, face-to-face, but you may also work with couples, families or groups, or counsel over the phone or internet.
You'll need
This role requires someone with the ability to speak, listen and observe without judging, and the ability to build trust.
Counselling is often a second or third career, and life experience is highly valued. Becoming a member of a body on the Professional Standards Authority's counselling register can improve your chances of getting a job.
You must pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults.
Paid or unpaid experience is essential for course and job applications. Many counselling bodies offer volunteering opportunities and you can find these on Do-it. Some counselling organisations, like Relate and Cruse also offer training, which may lead into paid work.
For professional accreditation you'll have to meet strict rules on training, practice, ethics and length of experience.
You can start by doing an introduction to counselling course, which can last up to 12 weeks. After that, you can extend your training by completing courses like a level 3 Certificate in Counselling, level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and a level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. Colleges will set their own entry requirements but most will expect you to have completed the introductory and Level 3 counselling courses to go further.
You could also do a degree or postgraduate course in counselling or psychotherapy. You should look for a course that includes practical skills training and supervised placements. You can search for courses through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Competition for full-time paid work is strong and many counsellors do a mixture of part-time, voluntary and private work. With experience, you could set up your own practice. You could choose to train as a counsellor supervisor or trainer. You could also move into a management or administration role.