I would like to become a Counsellor and wonder how, can you help?

Answer 1

This is a UK answer to a UK question. Overseas countries do it differently.

The normal way is to take an organised training in counselling. Such trainings are available in numerous colleges and in dedicated counselling training schools around the country. Training is usually three years part-time but can be up to 5 years.

Most trainings start in September or October and follow a broadly academic-year timetable, but there are several that start in January and a few in April. Quite often the traiinng requires you to do a short introductory course before starting the main training.

The most important decision to take before you start is what model of counselling you wish to practise. (It is sometimes possible to partially modify that decision after 1 year of training.) By "model" I mean, for example, "psychodynamic", "person-centred", "Gestalt", "psychosynthesis", "core process" or "humanistic integrative". If these words are not yet familiar to you, your very first step is to google them and begin to discover.

The series of books published by Sage under the heading "Counselling In Action" is a good introduction to how the models they cover work. (That's "Person-Centred Counselling in Action", "Gestalt Counselling in Action" and so on.)

In my opinion, if you are the kind of person who wants to help patients through a quasi-medical understanding of what counselling is, psychodynamic is the model for you. It is what for example the Tavistock Institute (a respected psychotherapy service which, despite its name, is in London, not in Tavistock) practise. If on the other hand you have a basically optimistic view of human nature and want to facilitate clients to realize their human potential, one of the "humanistic" models such as person-centred, Gestalt or Psychosynthesis is more likely to appeal to you.

Answer 2

The best place to start would be an Introduction to Counselling course at your local college. They're only usually about 12 weeks long but will give you a good insight into the concepts of what's involved. It takes quite a few years to qualify as a counsellor, so you must be sure that it is the path you want to take. Just to let you know, obtaining full time work as a counsellor is rare - a lot of counsellors are part time or lecturers. And also counsellors themselves have counselling as they have to deal with people's deep and personal problems, some of which can be distressing. Look in your local college prospectus and find out when the next intro course is.

Answer 3

It depends on your qualifications and the courses available in your area. If you have studied at a higher level of education before you may be able to get into a counselling degree or diploma straight away, if not no worries you could do an introduction course and work your way through intermediate and advanced certificate in counselling, which would help you get onto the diploma/degree course. Once you have done the diploma/degree and have done relevant hours as a counsellor (normally in a placement) you can become BACP a registered which will mean you can ethically practise. All areas are different and have different courses, so its best to check out what courses are local to you. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you!
PS: Counselling does have two ll in it, that's the true English way!

Answer 4

If you live in the UK, there are many routes to becoming a counsellor. You do NOT need a degree, although some understanding of psychology is useful. Counselling is a profession similar to, but with many differences from, psychiatry and psychology. If you want to accredit with the BACP, you need to train to at least Diploma level. The BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) do their own courses, but you can train with another organisation, so long as the course involves studying both counselling skills and theory. You will need to have something like at least 450 hours of tutor contact time (ie not distance learning), and to have a Supervised Work Placement of about 100 hours. You will probably also have to have personal therapy.

To find courses in your area, contact your local Colleges of Higher and Further Education, as well as Adult Education Centres.

Here is the BACP website for further info:

http://www.bacp.co.uk/

(oh and for those ignorant Americans, counselling does have two 'l's in the UK!)

Answer 5

It may be a good idea to decide which specialty of counseling that interests you most. Then, find a local college or university and speak with an admission counselor for help to determine an educational plan. Expect that it will take at least four years to get a Bachelor's degree and probably another two years for a specialized degree.

Good luck. I hope you become a great counselor.

Answer 6

Look into a degree in psychology or psychiatry. You'll need at least a master's to practice psychology without supervision, I think. A Ph.D would be better.

A psychologist is trained in the science of the mind. A psychiatrist has that training, plus a degree in medicine - MD or DO. The advantage is that a psychiatrist can prescribe drugs as well.

Answer 7

You need to take a level 2 then 3 then either advanced or degree level.

The level 2 and 3 are very easy, quite cheap, and quick.
2 is at A-C GCSE equivilant
3 is at A-C AS Level equivilant.

Degree and Advanced levels take 2 years each, and cost quite alot.

Good luck!

Answer 8

go on a cousellling course at the local college you can do a city and guilds in counselling their are lots of courses all the best you must have a caring nature

Answer 9

Counselor only has one "l".