Counsellor/PWP retraining

[Anewdance]

Hello All,

I am looking for some advice and opinions. I'm 49 and now my DC are getting older I'm looking into retraining into something I am passionate about. I have background skills in motivational interviewing, NHS work predominantly admin for 23 years (as it's fitted in with DC) but have always loved listening to others, supporting and helping people hence the organisation (nhs) I work for. I did my basic level 2 counselling course some years ago but due to finances and commitment I decided to put it on hold for the time being. This burning passion of listening and supporting therapies hasn't gone away. I really don't want to spend the next 20 years office bound. As grateful as I am for a job, helping, supporting and listening really is my calling. All the careers tests and advice I have had always points towards this career path, even in some kind of advocacy role. I appreciate it will be expensive, hard work and tiring as well as volunteering and having therapy myself but I would like some advice as to where to start. Thanks

Here, perhaps?

i believe pwp roles you train on the job - funded by nhs. Google some trainee pwp job adverts online and see if you meet criteria to apply. Counselling is another route but is self funded and lots of nhs trusts still not keen as seeing it as equal to other therapies in my experience. Though you can get private / nhs tier 2 work.

BACP would be the main body for counselling / psychotherapy
https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/

Hi @Anewdance I'm a counsellor and am happy to answer any questions you might have. I absolutely love my work and feel that more than a job it is a way of being.
I retrained at 39 and it is a job I think I will do in some way in to old age, so training later in life was not an issue for me.
It's not a great way to make huge £££ (although if you work from home certainly more can be earned as you'd have fewer outgoings with no need to pay rent).
Also, realistically there is a limit to how many hours you can work as it is not possible to be an effective counsellor as see large numbers of clients, although everyone has their own limits.
I work in private practice and wouldn't want to work for the NHS as for me it would be such short term work and outcome based which is not how I want to work with people.
Anything else you want to know please ask!

Thanks for the replies. I have already had a look at the BACP website and the PWP profile information via the NHS website. I think the issue with the PWP role is it isn't particularly child friendly (the training aspect anyway). Whilst I know the counselling path will be expensive and hard work it will be something that will work and my DC will be off to uni by the time I am finished.

@Itstoday thank you, I will PM you.

What about working as an independent advocate?