British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy
You can start by doing an introduction to counselling course, which can last up to 12 weeks. After that, you can extend your training by completing courses like: Level 3 Certificate in Counselling . Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills.
The Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies is designed for those of you who have already acquired practical counselling skills and theoretical knowledge at Level 2, and now wish to continue your training at an advanced level .
The core counselling skills are described below. Attending. Silence. Reflecting and Paraphrasing . Clarifying and the Use of Questions. Focusing. Building Rapport . Summarising. Immediacy.
Your core practitioner training should be at the minimum level of a diploma in counselling or psychotherapy, but could be a bachelor’s degree , master’s degree or doctorate.
You can ‘t, or at least you shouldn’t, half ass it. I am a qualified counsellor and bacp accredited . This is the least academic route to become a qualified practising counsellor . I actually have a psychology degree as well which was helpful in understanding some of the issues in counselling but it was not necessary.
Career Options for Counseling Jobs for People Without a Degree . Job options are plentiful for the field of counseling even without a degree . Counselors utilize a number of aides and assistants, and other careers also involve counseling as part of the job, even if it might not seem obvious at first.
A Level 3 qualification is equivalent to A Level . A Level 4 qualification is equivalent to BTEC Professional Diploma level . A Level 5 qualification is equivalent to HND or foundation degree level . A Level 6 qualification is equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree level .
After completing our level 4 diploma you can deepen your therapeutic understanding and practitioner skills by further study. These qualifications will enable you to: Work as a counsellor in independent practice ( Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling ).
The Difference Between Counseling and Psychotherapy The focus may be on problem solving or on learning specific techniques for coping with or avoiding problem areas. Counseling is also usually more short-term than therapy . Psychotherapy is more long-term than counseling and focuses on a broader range of issues.
The three major categories of developmental counseling are: Event counseling . Performance counseling . Professional growth counseling .
What skills does a counsellor need? Communication skills . You need excellent verbal communication skills to effectively talk to a range of different people. Interpersonal skills . Understanding of ethics. Patience . Compassion. Emotional stability. Knowledge of laws and regulations. Open-mindedness.
For those looking to become a counselor, here is a brief list of skills and qualities good counselors have. Be organized within your practice. Practice ethically and professionally. Educate yourself. Be confident in your position and responsibility. Be respectful and non-judgmental.
To practise as a counsellor most employers will require you to have undertaken professional training and you’ll need a qualification at foundation degree/ diploma level to join a professional body or to become accredited.
You are likely to need a recognised counselling qualification. There are different types and levels of course available including at diploma, degree and postgraduate level. Some are available on a part-time basis, others full-time. Many can lead to registration on a voluntary basis, with a number of organisations.
In recent years, counselling has become more highly recognised by the NHS as an effective way to help people with mental health problems. Various programs to improve access and recruit more counsellors mean that it is a good time to consider a career in counselling .