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Original poster

Retraining to be a therapist/counsellor - am I mad?

65 replies

Spiritedlight · 15/02/2026 08:13

I'm mid-fifties, have already completed Level 2 and Level 3 (in the evening) counselling course, with the view to either doing a postgrad or Level 4 in September to complete the training. For context, it's at least another 2 years study before I can work in any clinical setting.

But now, I have to do the training face to face - at least one day a week, part-time, the courses are much more expensive, I'm required to have regular personal therapy (also expensive) and pay for clinical supervision. Also, it will inevitably have a knock on effect on what work I can do (I'm self-employed), assuming there is the work (my industry, like others, is undergoing significant changes and work for contractors is tough to get). I'm guessing it could cost anywhere around £15K over the next two years, not including loss of work if I am not available. To specialise further, I'd have to then go on to spend a lot more money...

Whilst I have savings and a great husband who will support me, I really worry about whether I'm investing too much at this point. If this is just a silly jump, if there is even going to be work out there for me. I enjoy the subject a lot, and I am keen to practice but I'm obviously not at the beginning of my career. I've got less energy than I had twenty years ago, and I just worry I'm picking the wrong lane for this point in my life. The doubts are crowding in.

Any therapists out there with words of wisdom?

OP posts:
Isadora2007 · 15/02/2026 08:32

Im a trained counsellor who was lucky enough to secure funding for much of my training and due to a previous degree started at level 4 so only spent maybe £1800 to complete my training. So yes I made my
money back but not much profit tbh as I find the work very tricky to do privately as I am too soft hearted so if a client was struggling to continue due to finances I wouldn’t have been able to just say “shame, bye!”
I worked for a charity for regular income instead and then retrained as a mental health nurse in order to complete CBT training.

The hugely frustrating thing is there is such a need for counselling but actual work is hard to find or you have to price yourself so as to really only be helping quite well off people who can afford £45-75 per hour. And my conscience couldn’t let me do that.

So I think save your money and look at ways to help in local areas on a voluntary basis instead of giving up your job.

NeedyLimeMember · 15/02/2026 08:29

I'm currently in the process - I'll qualify in June. I'd recommend looking into the BACPs new ScopEd requirements. I haven't read too much about it yet but the level 4 is pretty much not going to count for much come next year and possibly the level 5 soon after. I've started keeping an eye on the jobs market and it does seem that the available roles pay little more than my current salary in a wellbeing role (£30k) and want a couple of years experience. If you want to earn a decent amount then it seems like private practice is the way to go, but obviously it takes a while to build up and there's no guarantees. The courses are a lot of work, you have to find a placement, which are like gold dust. That being said, the personal development you go through in the process is huge and if you are in a position in life to take the plunge and recognise that the benefits of it don't just relate to work, go for it!

Original poster
Spiritedlight · 15/02/2026 08:29

AnonyLonnymouse · 15/02/2026 08:24

I think there will always be a market for it but it is certainly shrinking. Nothing can replace the experience of therapy but more people are now using online services such as Better Help (who do not pay their counsellors well!), online forums like this one or even sharing their thoughts with AI.

Do you know that the largest national provider of counselling, Relate, went into administration last year? The local Relate branches are still operating, mostly under new names, but it’s a tough market…

My understanding is that Relate was bought and now has a much broader, more refreshed branding than it did - and to be honest, it needed a complete reboot. So whilst I totally get the market could shrink, I don't think this was Relate's biggest issue. It felt like it got stuck in a time warp, to be honest.

OP posts:
IDontHateRainbows · 15/02/2026 08:29

I think any industry reliant on disposable income/ discretionary spend will be insecure. You will have to continuously replace clients as not many will afford, or need counseling for a very long time.

Do you have other sources of income?

Ebok1990 · 15/02/2026 08:28

AnonyLonnymouse · 15/02/2026 08:24

I think there will always be a market for it but it is certainly shrinking. Nothing can replace the experience of therapy but more people are now using online services such as Better Help (who do not pay their counsellors well!), online forums like this one or even sharing their thoughts with AI.

Do you know that the largest national provider of counselling, Relate, went into administration last year? The local Relate branches are still operating, mostly under new names, but it’s a tough market…

I'm so glad Relate have gone out of business. Their advice to women in abusive relationships was appalling and compounded the abuse.

AnonyLonnymouse · 15/02/2026 08:26

The above poster sounds like they are describing clinical psychology which is a different field.

Ebok1990 · 15/02/2026 08:25

More and more people are turning to AI. You'll never see a financial return either. You'd be better off investing the £15k+ that you'll spend.

nondrinker1985 · 15/02/2026 08:25

I think personally at the moment AI is not good enough but it’s getting there. Look at an app called Ash. It’s very clunky at the moment. I’m not a therapist but had extensive therapy, I currently have an amazing Psychologist and we’ve discussed the impact of AI on the profession. At the moment AI can be a little black and white, doesn’t quite have the human perspective but it’s not bad at all. We’ve talked through some of the stuff it’s brought up for me in our sessions and she’s said theoretically it’s bang on, but at the moment there is a but. So that’s it really, she’s phenomenal but I honestly can see AI taking over a lot of ‘counselling’.

OhDear111 · 15/02/2026 08:24

My friend did a psychology degree, masters and now PhD. She’s taking her work seriously. Private clients.

AnonyLonnymouse · 15/02/2026 08:24

I think there will always be a market for it but it is certainly shrinking. Nothing can replace the experience of therapy but more people are now using online services such as Better Help (who do not pay their counsellors well!), online forums like this one or even sharing their thoughts with AI.

Do you know that the largest national provider of counselling, Relate, went into administration last year? The local Relate branches are still operating, mostly under new names, but it’s a tough market…

ChalkOrCheese · 15/02/2026 08:21

Hey, can't offer any insight but remember a similar post last month where the consensus was that there are a lot of trained therapists/counsellors worried about the jobs market in the coming years. Sorry. Hopefully you can find that thread?

titdttlhm · 15/02/2026 08:21

Spiritedlight · 15/02/2026 08:17

To practice privately, I've probably got another four years.

Show quote history

Yes but once you're qualified, if you see it through, it's a huge benefit to have the flexibility.

I can't comment on whether it's worth the investment for you. It could be something you do for years after retirement for just a handful of hours a week, if you enjoy it, for a bit of extra income. On the other hand, if you are happy with what you do now, is it worth it for you?

It was suggested to me that when you set out in private practice, it takes at least two years before you even begin to make money out of it.

It can be stressful and it can be very rewarding. You will need regular supervision as long as you practice, but I think you already would know that.

Original poster
Spiritedlight · 15/02/2026 08:17

titdttlhm · 15/02/2026 08:16

Yes, that is always a standard part of counselling training. Does your school offer any support - such as providing staff to be supervisors, or something? One nice thing about the profession is flexibility. You can set your own days and hours quite well.

To practice privately, I've probably got another four years.

OP posts:
titdttlhm · 15/02/2026 08:16

Yes, that is always a standard part of counselling training. Does your school offer any support - such as providing staff to be supervisors, or something? One nice thing about the profession is flexibility. You can set your own days and hours quite well.

Newthreadnewme11 · 15/02/2026 08:16

I’m just bumping you as I’d be really interested to hear from those who are well placed to comment