Counsellor

Counsellors help people to identify problems in their lives, allowing them to reflect on what is happening to them and consider alternative ways of doing things

As a counsellor, you'll actively listen to clients, offering them time, empathy and respect to talk about issues and problems, with the aim of reducing confusion and increasing their ability to cope with challenges, or to make positive changes to their lives.

Sessions with clients can cover a range of issues, including:

• divorce or relationship difficulties
• illness
• grief, bereavement and trauma
• unemployment or job uncertainty
• general anxiety.

Counsellors are impartial and non-judgemental, providing a safe and confidential environment for clients to look at their own values and beliefs. You won't give advice but will support clients to explore their behaviour patterns and make their own choices. This may involve challenging their beliefs to help them see things from a different point of view.

Some work activities overlap with the role of a psychotherapist, and both can encompass a range of talking therapies.

Responsibilities

As a counsellor, you'll need to:

• establish a relationship of trust and respect with clients
• agree a counselling contract to determine what will be covered in sessions (including information on confidentiality)
• encourage clients to talk about issues they feel they cannot normally share with others
• actively listen to client concerns and empathise with their position
• accept without bias the issues raised by clients
• help clients towards a deeper understanding of their concerns
• challenge any inconsistencies in what clients say or do
• support clients to make decisions and choices regarding possible ways forward
• undertake group as well as individual therapy on occasions
• develop relationships with other agencies and professionals, such as GPs, hospitals and community mental health teams, to enable effective signposting to other areas of support where required
• attend regular supervision
• work to agreed targets in relation to client contact
• keep accurate records, monitoring attendance and cancellations
• use reporting tools to extract relevant data and write reports
• engage in professional development activities to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.

Salary

• Starting salaries for counsellors can vary considerably but may be in the region of £20,000 to £26,000.
• Experienced counsellors can typically earn between £30,000 and £45,000. Some management or specialist counselling roles can attract higher salaries.
• Counselling jobs in the NHS usually follow the Agenda for change - pay rates. Jobs are often advertised at Band 5 (£31,049 to £37,796), Band 6 (£38,682 to £46,580) or Band 7 (£47,810 to £54,710), depending on your qualifications and experience.

There is no standard scale of fees for private practice work and rates vary considerably. Private practice counsellors typically charge between £45 and £80 for a session, which typically lasts between 50 minutes to an hour.

Fees charged depend on a range of factors, including your qualifications, experience, specialism, location and whether you provide face-to-face, online or telephone appointments. You may offer a limited number of reduced rate sessions for clients on a low income or a free, shorter first appointment.

Competition for paid work is strong. Many counsellors combine part-time work with voluntary and private work.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are typically 9am to 5pm for full-time roles. Many roles, however, are part time, term-time or contract based.

If you're working in private practice, you may work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients.

What to expect

• You may provide face-to-face, online or telephone counselling (or a combination of all three). Settings can include GP surgeries, hospices, schools, colleges and universities, charities and the workplace.
• Counselling is often undertaken on a one-to-one basis, but it can also involve work with couples, families or groups. It may take place over 6 to 12 sessions or for a longer period, lasting months or over a year, depending on the needs of the client. One-to-one sessions typically last 50 minutes to an hour.
• With experience, there is scope for self-employment in private practice and freelance work. Many counsellors have a portfolio career combining part-time, voluntary and private work.
• You'll need a good support framework as the work can be emotionally demanding. Professional supervision is essential to help counsellors work through any difficulties they experience.
• Travel during the working day may be required to visit clients, attend meetings and go between jobs (if you have several part-time roles).

Qualifications

Although there's no compulsory training required to become a counsellor, most employers will expect you to have undertaken professional training and be registered with a relevant professional body. Registration shows that you meet certain educational standards and abide by a code of ethics.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) recommends a three-stage training route:

• Introduction to counselling - provides basic counselling skills and an overview of training before committing to a full counselling course. Courses typically last 8 to 12 weeks and are available at further education (FE) colleges or adult education centres. These courses are a good way of helping you to decide if counselling is right for you.
• Certificate in counselling skills - a deeper theoretical understanding of counselling, develops your counselling skills and prepares you for the core training at the next stage. Courses typically last one year part time at FE colleges.
• Core practitioner training - equips you with the skills, knowledge and competence to work as a counsellor. The minimum level of training at this stage is a Level 4 Diploma, but courses are also available at foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate degree level. Training must adhere to internationally recognised standards of quality and cover reflective, competent and ethical practice.

Look for courses that are approved or accredited by a professional body such as:

• BACP
• National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

The professional bodies may have different criteria for membership and entry on to their accredited register, so check their registration requirements before choosing a course.

Courses are provided by colleges, universities and private training organisations. Research courses thoroughly to make sure they meet your career goals as training is a substantial investment of time and money.

Different courses have different entry requirements, and you should check with individual providers for what they are looking for in terms of previous training and experience.

A degree in a related subject, such as nursing, psychology, social work or education, might help you to get onto a counselling course. However, previous counselling experience and evidence that you have the necessary personal qualities, commitment and self-awareness can be just as important.

As part of your accredited training, you'll need to undertake a minimum of 100 hours in a supervised placement, as well as undergo regular supervision.

Completion of an accredited core practitioner training course will allow you to apply to become a member of a professional body and join their accredited register of practitioners.

Psychotherapeutic counsellors, who have usually trained to graduate level or equivalent to a standard recognised by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), can apply to join the UKCP National Register.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• self-awareness, emotional resilience and the ability to manage your own wellbeing
• sensitivity, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude
• insight into your own values, limitations and emotional responses
• excellent observation, active listening and interpersonal skills
• the ability to build rapport with, and gain the trust of, people from diverse backgrounds
• strong verbal and written communication skills
• the ability to remain focused and think clearly under pressure
• effective organisational and time management skills
• the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• commitment to ethical practice, professional boundaries and confidentiality
• a belief in each person's capacity for growth and change
• reflective practice and willingness to engage in ongoing learning and supervision
• general IT and administrative skills for managing client caseloads.

Work experience

To become a counsellor, you'll need relevant work experience in a helping or caring role. Many counsellors enter the profession as a second or third career, bringing valuable experience from roles in healthcare, mental health, education, social work, youth work or other support-focused professions. Experience of working with people in distress or managing sensitive situations helps develop the interpersonal skills needed for counselling.

There are many voluntary opportunities available across the counselling sector with charities, community organisations, mental health helplines, schools and bereavement services. While some agencies may require you to complete an introductory counselling course before volunteering, others offer in-house training. This experience is often crucial for progressing onto a formal counselling qualification.

Accredited counselling qualifications include a placement element, which involves a minimum of 100 hours of supervised practice with clients. Securing a placement can be competitive, so prior voluntary or professional experience working with people is often a key advantage.

Students on accredited training courses in counselling or psychotherapy can apply for student membership of organisations such as the BACP or NCPS. Membership provides access to resources, networking opportunities, ethical guidance and support in finding placements. Being actively involved in the counselling community also shows your commitment to professional standards and ongoing development.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Counselling vacancies arise in a variety of settings. Key employers include:

• NHS services, including GP surgeries, hospitals and Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS)
• schools, colleges and universities
• charities and voluntary organisations supporting issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, bereavement, addiction and homelessness
• hospices and palliative care services
• youth services and community centres
• employee assistance programmes (EAPs)
• private counselling practices
• specialised telephone and online helplines
• human resources departments within larger organisations
• adoption, fostering and family support agencies.

Another option is to set up your own private practice. While this can offer greater flexibility and autonomy, it may take time to build a client base. Counsellors may combine private practice work with other part-time or voluntary counselling roles.

Organisations such as the BACP and NCPS provide resources for members working in private practice. They also provide a searchable directory of accredited members that can be used by people looking for a counsellor.

Look for job vacancies at:

• BACP Jobs - members have full access to the online jobs board and can also sign up to their weekly job alert email. They also advertise student placements.
• Charity Job and Third Sector Jobs
• Jobs.ac.uk - jobs in higher education.
• NCPS - members receive job vacancy updates via direct emails and a monthly e-magazine.
• NHS Jobs and NHSScotland Jobs

Competition for full-time paid positions is high. Many paid posts are part time or fixed term.

Professional development

Once you've completed accredited counselling training and met the membership requirements of a recognised professional body, such as the BACP, NCPS or UKCP (for psychotherapeutic counselling), you can join their accredited register. These registers are approved by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), and inclusion shows your commitment to high standards of conduct, competence and ethical practice.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key part of maintaining your registration and enhancing your skills throughout your career. CPD can take many forms, including short courses, workshops, webinars, peer learning or study at postgraduate level. You'll be expected to plan, record and reflect on your CPD, and professional bodies offer support and guidance for doing this effectively.

Supervision is an essential and ongoing element of your professional counselling practice. It involves working with a trained supervisor to reflect on your client work, maintain ethical standards and develop your skills. All registered counsellors are required to engage in regular supervision. With experience, you may choose to train to become a supervisor.

Additional training opportunities may be available through your workplace or specialist organisations, particularly if you work with specific client groups such as children, survivors of trauma or people with addictions. If you're considering private practice, you may also undertake training in business management and marketing.

Career prospects

Although opportunities for paid counselling work are increasing, many roles are still part time or fixed term, and competition for full-time paid positions is high. You may find that you build a portfolio career, combining part-time, contract, voluntary and private work.

As you gain experience, there are opportunities to undertake further training and specialise in an area such as:

• bereavement and loss
• children and young people
• trauma and abuse
• couples or family therapy
• substance use and addiction.

You may also choose to train as a counselling supervisor or deliver training to students and professionals. Another route is to become self-employed and work in private practice. While building a client base can take time, private work can offer more flexibility and control over your schedule and client focus.

As you gain experience, progression opportunities may include moving into senior counselling roles, such as team leader or service manager, particularly within health, education or third-sector organisations. These types of roles often involve reduced client contact and increased responsibilities in supervision, safeguarding, team leadership, service development and policy implementation.

Opportunities also exist to contribute to research, particularly within academic or clinical settings, or to work internationally with NGOs or charities, although this usually requires additional experience or qualifications.