Retraining as a therapist/counsellor - any advice?

[Studentforlife]

Any advice on retraining to become a therapist/counsellor?

Cost, where you trained, time took to do it, worth switching so late in life?

At 51 is it worth it? I have life experience behind me, a lot of it, and feel that you can probably work as a therapist until you can't speak or hear anymore...into your 70s if you want to. In a flexible working environment that, once you've built up a practice, could even be your own.

Interested on people's thoughts. Positive and negative. Thanks.

[Vliss]

@PandaOrLion

a level 4 qualification would be out for me because it covers so little and doesn’t prepare you for the work. Im doing the MSc and a number of people are doing this having already done prior qualification. I didn’t see the point in doing something and then retraining again after.

I know many counsellors and none have done an MSC. All have done level 4 then 5 etc. They are counsellors though not psychologists?

[JennieTheZebra]

I think what you're interested in matters. If you're interested in serious mental illness in particular you're going to need a qualification higher than level 4/5-a newly qualified MH nurse is qualified to level 6. If you see counselling as supporting people to problem solve, for example, level 4 will be enough.

[Vliss]

@JennieTheZebra

I think what you're interested in matters. If you're interested in serious mental illness in particular you're going to need a qualification higher than level 4/5-a newly qualified MH nurse is qualified to level 6. If you see counselling as supporting people to problem solve, for example, level 4 will be enough.

A level 6 counselling qualification allows you to practice in a supervisory role. I'm not sure a nursing msc is the same thing at all tbh.

[Craftycorvid]

I started off with a level 4 qualification and, over time, I learned hugely from the clients I worked with and from CPD. Since I began, I’ve topped up my qualifications and am currently doing level 7 training, but I have noticed that everything I have learned on the job has been the best teacher. I get it that not all courses are that good and anyone who is looking for paid employment needs to factor in competition for posts, but it’s also worth saying that you don’t remain static having qualified. The qualification is the first step in many ways. My advice regarding training would be to consider the modalities on offer ie do you want something purely in one style such as person-centred, or do you want to integrate different approaches? Then I’d say check the course is either BACP accredited or UKCP accredited (though there will be fewer of the latter around). You need to give yourself the option of becoming an accredited counsellor or therapist in order to do certain training (such as EMDR) and to progress in organisations. You also want, ideally, to avoid having to do additional work in order to get registered with BACP.

[Winterworld]

@sunflowersandtomatoes

I’m mid forties, started an MSc in psychology at 40, graduated at 43 and now I’m halfway through training as a PWP. I was delighted when I got the job. The course is funded, 2 days pw, and we work patient-facing 3 days pw which is gold- I didn’t have any specific clinical experience before (but loads of other professional experience). Working for the NHS makes me feel kosher, and it seems like it will really open doors because no-one stays a PWP for very long before moving on up. It’s not for the faint-hearted though. PM me if you like OP.

@sunflowersandtomatoes sorry for hijacking the thread and post.Could I please PM you about the PWP role?

[benfoldsfivefan]

@Vliss

I wonder why a level 4 or 5 diploma was out if the question? I'm about to start my level 4 with a bacp accredited provider.

Because when I was researching whilst I was doing my Level 3 Certificate course, the Level 4 and 5 courses I looked at didn't look challenging (but these weren't BACP accredited). I also don't agree with Diploma courses in which personal therapy isn't mandatory. If I didn't have a degree then sure I would have done the Level 4 or 5, but I do and I didn't have much money so going on to do a Level 7 course after doing the Level 4 or 5 would have been financially out of reach (and to me, a complete waste of my time and energy). A Masters or PG Dip will open doors - I've got the option of lecturing in HE and, as shallow as it may sound, to some people - some prospective clients in private practice - it's impressive. I also saw an NHS job advert last week asking for a Level 7 qualification as part of the essential criteria for a counselling role. I want to do research as well so need that credential of my Masters to be taken seriously. There's so many more options with a Masters compared to having a Level 4 or 5 - depends on what you want to do, of course.