Wanting to retrain as a counsellor. Can anyone advise re training, please?

[Sunshineandswimming7]

I'm in my mid 50s and I've worked in the NHS as a nurse for around 30 years. I have a BSc in nursing and I've studied some Masters modules.
I'm interested in retraining as a counsellor but I want to check if I understand the training requirements. Can anyone advise, please?
From my research, it looks like I have to do a level 2 counselling course first. I can see the Government offer these free - are these sufficient for the standard level 2 introduction to counselling? If not, can anyone recommend any other level 2 courses, please? There seems to be so many private providers & I'm not sure all are at the required standard.
I think I then have to do a level 3 then level 4 course, before I would be qualified to work as a counsellor. Is this correct?
I'm wondering if my previous nursing experience & degree would allow me to bypass any of the foundation level counselling courses, or does everyone have to start at level 2? I'm asking this due to my age & obviously all these courses will cost me too.
If anyone can offer any advice or recomend any course providers I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

Wgat type of counsellor do you want to be?
in order to be a qualified therapeutic counsellor you need to complete L2, L3 and L4 qualifications with a accredited provider (BACP OR CPCAB)
Other options are a relate counselling course or a CBT one. Or you could train aw a PWP in the NHS.

Do you have a career plan? Paid roles are few and far between.

Thank you @whynotmereally you've confirmed the training requirements. I was concerned re jobs at the end of it too.

I did a BACP accreditation which I topped up to a degree . I volunteered for women’s aid and a cancer hospice and I did a bit of self employed work but never earned loads. I live in a fairly deprived area so people can’t really afford to pay for counselling. (This was pre zoom too) Most of my clients were trainee students (on my course you had to complete 10 hours of personal therapy) . I eventually got a job in Family support so I used my skills but not actually as a counsellor. I’d look at the area you live in and how many services/counsellors there are , plus advertised jobs.

i loved the course and I learnt lots (about my self and the techniques ) but practically it was unlikely with the amount of trainees there are that I was going to succeed.

Interesting to hear @whynotmereally - thank you. I'm glad I've asked about the training & then the work opportunities after as it would be a big commitment to do this training in my 50s timewise, but possibly not worth it if I'm going to struggle with jobs after it. Thanks for the info & insights.

Would you not consider high intensity CBT? You wouldn't need to do a KSA portfolio as you have a core profession and the training is fantastic.

@DungareesTrombonesDinos you've sparked my interest! I'd almost convinced myself that it wouldn't be viable but can you tell me more about the high intensity CBT training, please? Where offers training & how long does it last? Are there job opportunities at the end? So many questions....
I've not heard of this training before.
Thanks for the info.

High intensity training posts have mainly been cut at the minute due to talking therapies being told were due to cut money or some trusts are taking on trainees. If not giving out permanent roles. Our trust has cut all permanent jobs currently. Most trusts aren't taking on trainees at this time but when they do they're advertised via nhs jobs normally and they do an intake normally to start Jan time or some start oct time. You do two days a week in uni and three days a week in your trust.

Thanks for the update @WhatMe123 Yes, the NHS has stopped many things in recent months so it's good to know the current situation. Thank you.

Hello, I'm a psychotherapist. You will need the Level 2 to start, but then you can go straight to Level 5 as you already have a degree. Look for a BACP-accredited course. There are a lot of useless ones out there. Once you have Level 5 you can work as a counsellor in private practice or in an employed position.

@Sunshineandswimming7 I don't think it's forever it's more just a reaction to health England having a re shuffle as all the traininh funding for cbt high intensity jobs comes via them. Keep your eyes peeled it won't be long term just I know many trusts at the min have pulled job adverts with recent news

You can qualify at level 4 or 5 or 6 or 7. The training quality varies hugely so I would do a BACP accredited course at qualifying level. But as mentioned, there are hardly any jobs and the NHS funded CBT jobs are highly competitive. As an exercise in personal development, my training was invaluable, but very expensive.

I advise doing a level 2 course to start with then see how you feel afterwards. They only last for 10 or 12 weeks and most F.E colleges do them.

Thanks everyone. You've been so helpful as it's not easy to work out the best way to do the training. I might look at a L2 course & go from there.
Thank you.