Counsellors support people through personal or emotional difficulties by helping them explore their feelings, develop coping strategies, and make positive changes in their lives. The role often involves working one-to-one with clients, though some counsellors also work with couples, families, or groups. Sessions are usually confidential and can cover a wide range of issues, such as anxiety, stress, relationship problems, or bereavement. Counsellors may work in settings like schools, universities, the NHS, charities, or private practice. To become a counsellor in the UK, most people complete a recognised counselling qualification and gain supervised experience before practising independently. This career requires strong listening skills, empathy, and a non-judgemental attitude.
Counsellors in the UK typically earn between £23,000 and £40,000 per year, depending on experience and setting.
There are over 20,000 people working as counsellors in the UK, with increasing demand for mental health services.
Many counsellors work part-time or flexible hours, and around 40 percent are self-employed.
Supports pupils with personal, social, and academic issues within a school setting, helping them to manage emotions and improve wellbeing.
Helps individuals cope with the emotional challenges of losing a loved one, offering guidance and support during the grieving process.
Works with people struggling with drug or alcohol problems, providing advice, support, and strategies to help them overcome addiction.
Start by gaining at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and maths. A Levels or equivalent qualifications in subjects like psychology or health and social care are helpful.
Most counselling training courses will expect you to have a good standard of education, with English especially important because of the communication skills required. Taking A Levels in relevant subjects such as psychology, sociology, or health and social care can provide useful background knowledge and strengthen your application for future courses.
Undertake a counselling course accredited by a professional body such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Most people begin with an introductory course, which covers the basics of counselling skills and theory. This is followed by a more in-depth certificate or diploma, where you will learn about counselling approaches and develop practical skills. Accredited courses ensure you meet the standards required to practise and are recognised by employers.
Volunteer or work in supportive roles to gain experience working with people in need of help.
Many counselling courses require you to complete a set number of supervised practice hours. Volunteering with charities, helplines, or community organisations can help you develop essential listening and empathy skills while also building your CV.
Focus on developing strong communication, active listening, and non-judgemental attitudes.
Effective counsellors are able to listen carefully, show empathy, and build trust with clients. These skills can be developed through training, reflective practice, and feedback from supervisors or peers.
Register with a professional organisation such as the BACP or UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) to demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to ethical practice.
Being a member of a professional body is often required by employers and reassures clients that you follow ethical guidelines and have appropriate training. Membership may require you to undertake ongoing professional development and supervision.
Look for job opportunities in schools, NHS services, charities, or private practice to begin your career as a counsellor.
Once qualified and registered, you can apply for paid positions or set up your own private practice. Continuing professional development and supervision are important throughout your career to maintain and enhance your skills.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Counsellor. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a diploma, degree or postgraduate course in counselling or psychotherapy.
You might be able to study counselling alongside another subject like psychology, sociology or criminology.
You should look for a course that includes practical skills training and supervised work placements.
You'll usually need:
You could start by doing an introduction to counselling course. This can last up to 3 months and can help you decide if counselling is the right career for you.
After that, you can do further training and complete courses like:
You can find out more about the recommended training to become a counsellor from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You'll find it useful to have paid or unpaid work experience in counselling. You can find counselling volunteering opportunities through Do IT and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
You can volunteer and do training courses with counselling organisations, such as Relate, Samaritans and Cruse.
This can be useful experience before you take up professional counselling training.
There's a lot of competition for paid work. Many counsellors do a mix of part time, voluntary and private work.
Counselling is often a second or additional career, and life experience is highly valued.
You may be expected to undergo counselling yourself as part of your training and reflect on it with your course supervisor. This might be needed to become accredited.
You could become a member of an organisation listed on the Professional Standards Authority's counselling register. This may be helpful when looking for work, and for many jobs it is essential.
You can find out more about careers in counselling from:
You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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