Career Advice for a Counsellor

As a counsellor you will work with individuals or conduct group sessions to assist people in dealing with their problems by talking them through. You will help them with their mental wellbeing and emotional issues by conducting sessions with them in a private setting.

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How to Become a Counsellor

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Counsellor

Should you wish to work as a Counsellor you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Counsellor

  • 2 or 3 A levels
  • A degree or postgraduate course in psychotherapy or counselling
  • College introductory course such as Level 3 Certificate in Counselling

Key Responsibilities for a Counsellor

  • Consulting with clients and compiling case history
  • Recording any observations and keeping client case files updated
  • Identifying client needs and creating treatment plans
  • Conducting individual and group counselling sessions
  • Helping clients to overcome life events, such as divorce or loss of loved ones
  • Continually monitoring progress and adjusting treatment as necessary
  • Working with other medical health specialists as required
  • Referring patients for further specialist treatment as needed
  • Identifying relevant resources to assist with clients treatments
  • Continuously pursuing professional development and staying up to date with latest treatment methods

What to expect as a Counsellor

Counsellors provide therapy to clients to help them through personal issues or to handle life events, such as loss and bereavement. Counsellors support people by talking through problems and providing tools and systems to help cope with them. A counsellor may work at a public health facility or conduct their services through a private practice. To succeed as a counsellor you will need to be compassionate and have insight into the latest techniques and practices in counselling.

Recommended Counsellor Jobs

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How to get Counsellor Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Counsellor job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Counsellor application. If you have not held a Counsellor position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Counsellor role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Counsellor CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Counsellor application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Counsellor in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Counsellor 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Counsellor and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Counsellor experience.

How to get Counsellor Experience

What does it take to be a Counsellor? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Counsellor jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Counsellor through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Counsellor Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Counsellor part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Counsellor or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Counsellor freelance work

If you have impressive Counsellor qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.