Should I retrain as a counsellor?

[blackcat86]

I have a degree in psychology and 10+ years experience in the public sector. This has included youth work, adult social care and mentoring. I have posted previously about having had a traumatic birth and seeing a stark difference between therapy that was lacking and another service that was very good. This has made me feel passionate and motivated to help those experiencing trauma, particularly women, and I am considering a PG diploma in humanistic counselling. I would need to do a L2 counselling skills course first and this would take several years and close to 10k but I could so it all part time whilst working. Has anyone done this? Are those currently working in the sector enjoying it and finding enough work? I appreciate that I would need to ensure that I continue to work through my issues with my birth trauma which I would absolutely do and my daughter would be 4 by the time I qualified.

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

You’d probably be able to go straight to doing a masters in Counselling or Counselling Psychology (although there is great benefit in doing the Counselling skills courses) so worth looking into that.

You’ll certainly be more employable after doing a masters, there are lots of people with diplomas all accruing voluntary hours and going for the same jobs.

[blackcat86]

Thank you. That's really helpful. I hadn't considered a masters but I can see that it would increase my employability.

[Reith]

I've retrained part time, just about to qualify. Happy to answer any specific questions as I started writing out a general response and it was all over the place!

[norrismcwhirtersfridgemagnet]

Not sure where you're based but Birkbeck (London University) do a range of MSc in organisational psychology which are part time evening courses.

[Emmapeeler]

A friend of mine is one and loves it. You sound ideal for it, it is expensive to train though, she said. But she carried on as she found it so interesting and after several years working on phones she has set up her own practice.