Technically you don’t need any qualifications at all, but I would absolutely not recommend working unless qualified (it’s unethical and you won’t be insured)..

You can do a degree or go via a college (usually a Level 2 certificate, then a Level 3 certificate, then a Level 4 diploma). Either way you are looking at a minimum of 3 years’ study. It’s expensive, and paid work is hard to come by, but it’s very rewarding.

I’m a therapist rather than a counsellor. It isn’t a protected title and anyone can do a 6 week course and call themselves a counsellor.

If you want to work well, and ethically then look for something level 5 or above, which offers BACP accreditation. If you’ve already got a degree then I would much, much rather recommend training as a therapist.

Avoid any course where it isn’t expected that you have your own therapy alongside training.

Its a long slog to become a qualified counsellor, and not cheap

@caulkheaded you can apply for BACP accreditation with a level 4 qualification.

@MajesticWol yes definitely. I have worked with many people who have completed level 4 and are later needing or wanting something higher so I feel if the OP is beginning from scratch they may as well enter in as high as possible!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students/4448009-Has-anyone-qualified-as-a-Counsellor-with-the-Open-University?msgid=114078691

Don’t know if this thread might be of use.

OP you don’t give your age but - as gently as possible, “I would like to help people” is not really a useful thing to say in a professional setting. In fact it’s something aspiring professional practitioners (probably in any field) are taught not to say - because it suggests a vague, idealistic attitude at odds with the realities of training for and doing the work.

As someone who might engage a counsellor I’d be looking for a much broader range of skills and experience than just their personal history - which in all likelihood would bear no resemblance to mine. It isn’t, frankly, the sort of emotional baggage I’d want them to bring to our counselling sessions.

Could you say what else makes you a good candidate for such a role? What educational qualifications do you have and what training are you prepared to undertake?

I'm qualified to Master's level and usually refer to myself as a Counsellor as I specialise in working with children and young people who often have other therapists involved so it helps to clarify my role.

I wouldn't say that jobs are few and far between, I've had no trouble gaining consistent work since I qualified, although having a specialism and a a Level 7 qualification does make me more employable.

If you have a degree already it's worth considering taking the masters/PG dip route as you can access a post graduate loan.

That said, I know plenty of good counsellors qualified to level 4 although most do do a level 5 on top as mentioned by a pp.

BACP registration and accreditation are two separate things. Registration is available on completion off initial training and accreditation comes later after you've completed significantly more hours than the 100 training hours and you also have to submit four written pieces of work.

I recommend doing a 10 week introductory course at your local FE college to get a flavour of what's involved. It costs about £200 - £300.

www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training

Hi,

I am doing counselling course level 2 then moving onto level 3 as Leeds university offer a masters in counselling/psychotherapy. Their criteria is high though & you need a 1st class degree including the following above courses am doing. I originally come from primary school background as a TA with a degree in Education. I went on to do my PGCE in FE as I wanted to bring my real life experience with children to the classroom! However, I developed a huge interest in supporting students emotionally & found that due to my own anxiety, life skills & delicate background with having hearing impairment, I had a a lot of to offer in understanding how to support learners. Once I completed my masters, I want to be a councillor in education as I also have a strong understanding of the education system and it's impact on vulnerable students especially those with special education needs .

Please don't let any challenges get in the way of you chasing your dreams and passion. There's always a way around getting where you want to be. I do hope I've made the right choice in my area as am willing & committed all the way

Not sure if you're still reading OP but just wanted to counter the PP who suggested it's not OK to have 'wanting to help people' as a motivation. I'm a counselling trainer and most students start out with this idea, but a good training course will help you question and challenge it, and find other reasons for wanting to be a counsellor. How about starting off with a Level 1 Counselling Skills to put your toe in the water and see if it seems like something you want to pursue?

I agree,

It's important to do basic courses into counselling. I am doing level 2 and so far what I see is that it's not up to us to help clients but it's about working with them to develop skills to manage their difficulties.

I looked into it but it was many years of study at great expense and few jobs at the end.
Have you considered OT, nursing or mental Health nursing?

Hi, @whistlewhileyouwalk

I'm late to this party, but I'm also thinking of getting into this field - I have a completely unrelated first degree (Politics and Modern Languages) spent ages working in finance and am now, at 50 working as a TA in a Primary School. (it's a looong story!)

I feel underused (and, I can't tell a lie, underpaid) and that many of these children who currently struggle in mainstream schools could do so much better if they only had decent support via counselling. I have the constant feeling that I could do more for those who are finding it hard, if only I had the time and training and that is so frustrating.. I also have to admit that I'm finding running around after the children physically exhausting.

I have been talking to my aunt, who was an SEN teacher and then retrained as a child counsellor in her mid-50s but said that it was difficult to find paid roles. I'm not entirely money driven, but if I want my hubz to support me in this venture, I need to be able to convince him that there's paid work available at the end of it!

As such, I'd be interested to know which qualification you took and where in the country you're based so I can get my ducks in a row and take this step. I can't continue with what I'm doing now but I do really want to continue working with children and this just seems like the logical step to take.

Hope this makes sense - I'm tired and it's late!

TIA