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Counsellor
Therapist
Counsellors help people discuss their problems and feelings in a confidential setting.
Average salary (a year)
£28000
Starter
£50000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
attending events or appointments
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; training with a counselling organisation
University
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.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
College
You could start by doing an introduction to counselling course. This can last up to 3 months and can help to work out if counselling is the right career for you.
After that, you can do further training and complete courses like
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory, Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
You can find out more about the recommended training to become a counsellor from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
    Other Routes
    You can volunteer and do training courses with organisations like Relate, Samaritans and Cruse.
    This can be useful experience before you take up professional counselling training.
    More Information
    Career Tips
    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'll also be expected to do counselling yourself and reflect on your experience with a supervisor as this is needed to become accredited.
    Volunteering
    You'll find it useful to have paid or unpaid work experience in counselling. You can find counselling volunteering opportunities on Do IT.
    Professional And Industry Bodies
    You could become a member of a body on theProfessional Standards Authority's counselling register to improve your chances of getting a job.
    Further Information
    What it takes
    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
    Skills and knowledge
    You'll need:
      Counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
      Knowledge of psychology
      The ability to understand people’s reactions
      Customer service skills
      Active listening skills
      Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
      Sensitivity and understanding
      The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Digital Skills Level
    to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
    Related Restrictions
    pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
    What you will do
    Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
    Day to day tasks
    As a counsellor, you could use different types of therapy to
    agree what will be covered in sessions and keep records, build trust with a client in person, online or over the phone, listen carefully, ask questions and check understanding, help your client to talk about their feelings, see things clearer and find ways to cope, empathise but challenge when necessary
    You could work with individuals, couples, families or groups.
    Working environment
    You could work in a therapy clinic, at a GP practice, at a school, at a college or from home.
    Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
    Career Path & Progression
    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
    If you're a new counsellor, It's important to get peer support to develop your skills. It's unusual to go straight into working for yourself.
    With experience you could
    specialise in an area like bereavement support, relationships or addiction, set up your own practice and work for yourself, become a counsellor supervisor or trainer, move into management or consultancy
    Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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