Any mental health counsellors here?

[DazedandConfused27]

I'm currently going through something that has changed my perspective on life. I've been in a dead end office job for years, too lazy and institutionalised to look for anything else.

I feel like I want a job that is going to give something back. And to help people. Having battled with my own mental health issues I've always wanted to help people with counselling. I wonder if anyone knows the best routes into this? I hold a BA hons degree in an unrelated subject. No colleges or universities locally to me seem to offer counselling courses.

If it's something you have experience in would you mind telling me how you got into it? Thank you.

Bump

In most cases you start with a ‘introduction to counselling course’, then take a ‘certificates in counselling skills’ course. This is generally the basic qualification for progressing to a diploma course, whether standard or post graduate. The certificate courses are sometimes run by local FE colleges, although there are specific centres that specialise in counselling training that also offer these.

Thank you for replying. I will look into that

It's a long training route. And be prepared to do a lot of unpaid work.

Not worth it
No money in it
Constantly trying to advertise to get customers
Totally unreliable income source so don't do unless Can afford not to earn

Training is long (so long) and expensive. Really fucking expensive.

No decent money in it if you do complete the training.

Hours and hours of unpaid work.

It depends if you want to be a counsellor or if you want to work more generally in mental health. I work in an office job supporting a mental health team which might be a good way to start.

Oh wow, really? I thought there would be a big market for it (for want of a better word). I definitely can't afford to not earn. I just wanted to do something fulfilling to make a difference in an area I'm interested in.

You could look into mental health practitioners for schools; EMHP or something like Place2Be both offer on the job training (but you'd still probably have to get some voluntary experience with kids/families first).

@niceupthedance would you be able to say a bit more about EMHP? Sounds super interesting

A lot of services just use trainees to provide counselling - it's a steady stream of people who they can get to work for free.

Hi, I'm a therapist. I believe 'mental health counsellor' is a term used in the US, not so much here though.

I worked in a psychology service as an assistant psychologist so was already in the field before doing further training. I still work there now but several bands higher.

I have a masters degree in integrative psychotherapy which took 4 years (the last year is the masters/research component which is not compulsory). I also have a further post grad diploma in CBT which is the model favoured by the NHS. That training also allows me to diagnose and treat mental illness, which isn't usually the case in regular counselling training.

The minimum you would need is a diploma in counselling. You can do this as a post grad training (level 7?) in a university setting or as a college course.

The most important thing is that the course is accredited by either BACP (easiest), UKCP (for long ass psychotherapy/psychoanalysis training) or BABCP (CBT - best for healthcare).

I am now pretty senior in my service (which means doing management and supervision, funding applications, developing pathways etc) so earn about £40k. Plus another £5k or so on top through my private practice. Plus good pension, sick pay, 33 days annual leave per year. I think it's alright money but it's all relative of course.

Do not do any training online which doesn't require a supervised clinical placement eg chrysalis.

Happy to answer any questions

Try Samaritans for volunteer training ...will prepare you and you'll hear terrible things and you'll find the most useful thing in counselling is active empathetic listening...

@silverfonze

Not worth it No money in it Constantly trying to advertise to get customers Totally unreliable income source so don't do unless Can afford not to earn

I don't agree with this. I'm sure it varies wildly but I do not pay to advertise my private practice at all and get way more enquiries than I could possibly see.

@BullshitVivienne

A lot of services just use trainees to provide counselling - it's a steady stream of people who they can get to work for free.

This is true of the charity sector, not really so much in healthcare.

In my experience there's no shortage of clients, but you may be surprised at your own limit to take on other people's suffering. Most counsellors I know see a maximum of 15 clients a week (and many see significantly fewer than that). It can work well in tandem with a less emotionally taxing job.

If you decide to pursue it, take care to find a reputable training organisation (eg recognised by UKCP, BACP or COSCA), and in particular I would only go for a one that requires your own therapy for the duration of the course.

Apologies OP, i hope you don't mind me asking this but does anyone know what sort of qualifications are needed to train as a EMHP and what it's like working as a EMHP? It sounds very interesting!

In my experience there's no shortage of clients, but you may be surprised at your own limit to take on other people's suffering. Most counsellors I know see a maximum of 15 clients a week (and many see significantly fewer than that). It can work well in tandem with a less emotionally taxing job.

This is my experience too, I have no shortage of clients and have to refer people on because I have no room for new clients just now. Paid jobs aren’t well paid given the work and training involved, other than the NHS. I earn as much in part time private practice as I would in a full time paid role.

I have a part time job which means I’m not chasing clients and if things are a bit quieter it’s not a worry because I have a stable income already. If you put the time in, qualify with a good organisation and have a good support/professional network it can be a good job to have.

EMHP information www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/cyp/trailblazers/

EMHP sounds a bit like a version of IAPT but for educational settings - for 'mild-moderate depression and anxiety' so I imagine the training requirements will be similar to a PWP (psychological wellbeing practitioner) which is a psychology degree or similar plus relevant experience. It will be a years post grad certificate.

My friend did this and got her main experience (in addition to volunteering ) working for a helpline
Most corporates have an employee assistance , it’s a bit like the Samaritans and very gruelling
But paid work adjacent to maybe private client work