To think I could make a good counsellor? Anyone know much about this as a profession?

[JulietBravoJuliet]

I've never known what I want to do in life; worked for 10yrs+ in banking, then lots of sales type jobs etc., but I hate selling! I'm a "good" salesperson, in that people seem to like me and trust me, but I cannot and will not sell something to someone who doesn't need it as I have too much of a conscience. This has led, over the years, to loads of brilliant feedback from customers about how lovely I am, and how I've gone the extra mile for them, but very poor results when it comes to my appraisals as I'm just not target driven.

I'm currently working a couple of part time jobs in a shop and a cafe and I'm loving dealing with people, however, the shop keep telling me off for letting people talk to me for too long, and being everyone's "agony aunt". Thinking about it, this is what I enjoy doing most; I'm good at listening, good at offering perspective on people's problems, and I'm good at getting on with people.

I had a sudden epiphany last night that I may be good in some kind of counselling/therapy type job! Now this would mean retraining and qualifying, but I'm only mid-30's so plenty of time for that. So what's the next step? I've been googling, but it's so confusing! Some results say you need a degree, others point towards diplomas in counselling skills - does anyone here do this for a job and could offer me some pointers?

Thanks in advance, and apologies for this not being a "real"AIBU, but there's more traffic here and you lot give good advice

[CheeseBored]

marking place

[MotherOfChickens]

I agree with IndieKate the CPCAB Introduction to Counselling course is a great start and will give you a taster of what's to come. It runs for 30 hours (I did mine over 10 weeks and it cost around £200) and if you have any questions about the content feel free to ask.

[Imperial]

What about being a family support worker?

[JulietBravoJuliet]

Thank you, I'm googling all of this :)

[hettie]

Hi, I am an alternative professional now (related to but not counseling). I have a professional status and clear pay grade. Having been a counsellor I would look into it carefully. You nearly always have to volunteer for a significant time on order to gain your hours for qualifying. In addition there are very very few employed counsellors, most ate self employed and rates are low and gaining enough clients problematic. In summary it is really tricky to earn enough for it to be something you could support yourself on.... Lots of other rewars of course, but if you need to earn a living.......

[CheeseBored]

I am nearing the end of my first year of a three year MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. As others have said, it is tough, emotionally and financially! But I am enjoying it very much and hoping to get a job out of it eventually, even if it is 'just' private practice.

[MammaTJ]

It wouldn't suit me, I am too much of a fixer and could not wait for people to work things out for themselves with gentle prompting.

[Eebahgum]

I can only echo what others have said. Almost finished introduction to counselling course and was disappointed to learn there are far more qualified counsellor a than paid job openings, so not necessarily a good career path. Although I am loving it and intend to continue training to see where it takes me. Training is a long and expensive process. My tutor says sex therapists are in demand though if that's an area you'd be interested in working in.

[2rebecca]

"Counselling" covers a huge range of jobs and qualifications as others have said. often people go into it for the wrong reasons like having had counselling themself and found it useful or having had alot of psychiatric problems so feeling they would empathise.
Your comment about lots of people saying you are really lovely and letting people talk for longer than you should makes me worry you wouldn't be detached enough.
It's a very draining job and a good counsellor doesn't take on other peoples problems or try and solve them for them, or tell them what you did in a similar situation.
Clinical psychologists are always in demand but the training for that is long and competitive and cognitive therapy is very structured compared to the more reflective counselling therapy.
The trouble with counselling is lots of people think they can do it so it's oversubscribed.
How about going down the psychiatric nurse route? CPNs do counselling as part of their job and there are probably more jobs available at the end of the training. Again the mental toughness is important as you will be dealing with some severely psychiarically ill people and personality disordered and manipulative people as well as anxious, depressed etc people. Completely different to the getting over an adverse life event type stuff that many counsellors deal with.
Depends if you want a hobby or a career really, making a career out of counselling is difficult.

[JulietBravoJuliet]

I probably wouldn't be detached enough, to be honest.

I have thought about nursing, but being a single parent with no family support, I wouldn't be able to do shift work whilst training.

I've decided this year is the year I'm changing my life! Had some absolutely amazing news this afternoon, which I wasn't expecting and which will change my financial situation hugely, so now, more than ever, I'm determined to change my career path and do something that I have a passion for :)

[MissThang]

Good for you JulietBravoJuliet lovely to see someone with a bit of oomph to change things for themselves job wise. Counselling is tough so make sure you check out all branches before making any decisions. I do second the volunteering at some point if that's possible for you. Hope all goes well

[JulietBravoJuliet]

I'm definitely going to look in to volunteering of some description to see if it's something I want to pursue as a career :) I just need a change, badly, and I want to do something to help others, instead of selling insurance/tv cables/mortgages/cakes for the benefit of someone else!

I'm in the very fortunate position that, in light of this afternoons news, I will be able to manage on a part time salary for the foreseeable future, so it's the perfect time to train for a new career.

[FreudiansSlipper]

hello I am a therapist

I would advise you to do an introduction to counselling course. there is a lot of training and you will have to have your own therapy too, so looking at yourself and understanding yourself is often the hardest part and the theory at times is very heavy going

you will hear to most awful life stories and will help (hopefully) your clients come to terms with their issues, break patterns of behaviour, and so on it is NOT about giving advice, though you will be asked often too.

you will find what often gets to you when you are with a client is your unresolved issues, this is why lots of personal therapy and ongoing therapy is really important

costs are high while training, you will have to pay for your own therapy (those that do not have it until it is a course requirement in my experience fall behind) and you may have to pay for supervision once your are working and building up your hours

I am a single mum and was of a similar age when I started training (degree)

I love my work it is very satisfying when you have worked with someone who has really made progress

[BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure]

Have you looked into the NCT? They run various courses, not counselling but would be very "what's best for the customer" in focus!

[JaceLancs]

Paid counselling work is quite hard to come by

There are plenty of other forms of employment that would fit the bill though

I work in advocacy, but also look at advice work, support work and other posts within the charitable sector

[GoshAnneGorilla]

Have you thought about Occupational Therapy?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Aradia-I want to train as a hypnotherapist! I started a thread a while back but no one replied do you have any info on where I should start looking wrt courses please?

Good luck OP