In a full time job but training to become a counsellor

[counsell]

HI Everyone,

I am currently a finance consultant but training to become a counsellor with WBF.

I am wondering if anyone had managed to maintain a full time job while working flexibly as a counsellor?

Also what has been your experience on using your home for your private practice. I have a specious ground floor study right once you step into the house.

I am nearing the end of my training and it is possible to do it and work ft as some of my peers have. However, your work need to be onside as you will need time out for lectures and a placement. I have worked pt whilst doing it and have found it tough at times. Ft peeps seem to find keeping on top of work a challenge. No experience of practicing from home but had my own counsellor who did this. Massively disruptive, think asking family members to go out and not have pets making a noise.

I worked full time while training and used annual and unpaid leave where necessary.
I still work - recently dropped to four days - and practise mostly from home.

I trained while working full time. For the first year I negotiated a compressed week (5 days in 4) so I could attend training which was one full weekday. The year after that I quit my job and went freelance as by then I had to find time for 2 placements, supervision, personal therapy, plus the training itself, plus coursework. It was hard. I was skint and emotionally exhausted by the end of it.

A while after I was registered and accredited I saw clients at home for a short period of time and I didn't take to it. I had one particularly frightening experience that really shook me, and made me realise I didn't want to tell strangers from the internet where I lived and let them into my home while I was there by myself. However, I know plenty of people who have seen clients at home with no trouble. I find I work better when I am in a particular space reserved for it, towards which I feel neutral (rather that protective / defensive / etc as you can do at home).

Most people I know either patch together a career out of part-time employed work and part-time private practice. I do know some people who, after training, returned to their original careers full time with the intention of doing counselling around the sides - but for most of them that hasn't really taken off, as on top of full time work and commuting they don't have time to keep up with CPD requirements, have supervision, see clients, and have much left over for a personal life.

Good luck with your training!

I think it is possible but not easy. Apart from seeing clients you'll need to make time for ongoing supervision and training too. I wouldn't personally want to see clients at home. I work for the NHS 3 days a week and do some online work for 4 sessions a week. Private work is quite tough as you obviously have to pay own tax/NI have own insurance and pay for own supervision but obviously more manageable if you have another job as well and are not relying on that for only source of income as overheads mean that if you are relying on it for is only source of income you need to see a lot of clients which can be hard going.

Thank you all! very helpful. I get 30 days holiday and have flexible working arranged. I'll take one day at a time and see how it goes.