I Want to Work In .... Counselling

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PROFILE: Counsellor

INVOLVES: Enabling individuals to come to terms with & try to solve problems or issues often of a very emotional & personal variety. Can also work with groups of people in this way.
EMPLOYERS: Self-employment, Education: Universities, schools (mostly Secondary level). NHS
RELATED JOBS: psychotherapy, social work, youth work, clinical psychology, careers adviser.
SATISFACTIONS: Working intimately with a small range of clients. Helping people.
NEGATIVES: Employment opportunities are limited. Risks in self-employment. Income can be sporadic.
SKILLS: Counselling-related (listening, summarising, caring, challenging, focusing etc.), Oral communication skills including verbal comprehension.
ADVANCEMENT: Some management opportunities exist, especially among Education sector employers. More difficult with regard to self-employment.
DEGREE: All subjects relevant, although psychology, sociology, social work & nursing of particular relevance.
POSTGRADUATE STUDY: A BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) recognised Certificate or Diploma would be of great benefit.
VACANCY SOURCES: Counselling Jobs Online - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy web site. The Guardian (Tues & Wed in particular), Local Press.
TIPS: Study a vocational Counselling course (preferably BACP recognised) first. Undertake voluntary work with Samaritans, Relate, Mind etc. in order to acquire additional practical skills & make contacts.

 

Further Information

See the following job profiles

They were really concerned about my age, saying that they did not think I had enough experience to bring to the job because I am so young. They said that if I was successful, they would only offer me the chance to do the course part-time to begin with, because they believed that I need more "time for growth" and "to get to know myself better". I hoped that they were just testing me to see how I would cope under pressure and I tried to confidently state that whilst I can't match the experience of older interviewees, I can definitely match them in enthusiasm and hard work. You can imagine my delight when I received a letter saying that I have been formally offered a place! 

Interviewee for psychotherapy course

Life Coaching

Life coaches support and encourage people to help them fulfil their potential in areas such as relationships, careers, fitness, work-life balance and self-confidence.

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Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapists try to access the subconscious to help clients to overcome a wide range of psychological and physical problems including: phobias, anxiety and panic attacks, problems sleeping, lack of confidence, stress-related conditions and habits such as smoking. They induce a state of deep relaxation in clients, and then make suggestions to their subconscious to alter negative patterns of thought and behaviour.

 

Last fully updated 2012