SAHM looking to retrain, possibly counselling?

[Becuaseicouldntsee]

So after being a SAHM parent through choice for 10 years, I have the desire to retrain.
I am considering roles around helping children with SEMH issues. I’m a qualified nursery nurse of children up to age 5, but I like the concept of helping children who need extra support - not necessarily with SEN.
I’m considering starting a counselling Diploma course, level 2 (possibly 3, but need to understand entry requirements further).
I am wondering what jobs could come of a level
3 counsellor?
Is anyone able to help please? Or advise on what is best to access similar job roles?
Thanks.

Unfortunately there's no such thing as a level 3 counsellor. You wouldn't be qualified to practice until you have your level 5 qualification. It's possible, but it will cost a lot because you need to pay for your own therapy as part of the course, as well as supervision (professional discussions about the caseload you hold).

I think there may be quite a few threads on training to be a counsellor - I would have a look for them. If I remember correctly people with experience are generally saying the same as @Lougle - it’s a long and expensive route to an uncertain career.

In general would it not be better to decide on the career you’re aiming for and then investigate the qualifications and training required to achieve that, rather than considering training with no clear idea of an end goal?

Thanks for your reply, I’m beginning to realise that maybe the counselling course isn’t the right route to go down. It does sound expensive and rather long to fully qualify - I’m not looking to be training for many years to come. I guess I’m trying to work out what route to go down, hmmm!

I did have a brief look at some of the counselling threads and got a bit lost, a lot seem to talk about degrees but I wasn’t sure if some of the levels helped work in that field without reaching the top level.
The trouble is that I really don’t know what I’d like the end career goal to be which makes it hard. I suppose the first steps are gaining information so your reply is helpful.
Maybe I need careers advice but I’m not sure where to start with that!

This thread from yesterday outlines a lot about different courses.
I’m a psychotherapist in PP and in truth, the market is saturated and private work hard to find.
I’m really fortunate as I get to work on self employed basis with an organisation that refers me clients.
However, there are many counsellors in the industry who can’t afford to make the work pay; with lack of clients seemingly being the main issue.
Better Help has had a huge impact on people working in private practice, offering a shockingly low pay to self employed counsellors; whilst sweeping up a lot of potential clients in multi million pound ad campaigns.

Counsellor here. It takes three years to qualify and with some courses the supervision cost is included in the fees. There are hardly any jobs out there so most people are self-employed. Perhaps social work is a better option.

i have seen jobs advertised in CAMHS for qualified nursery nurses. Maybe investigate what short add on quals you could do around child mental health?

Like these

Play therapist? https://www.bapt.info/becoming/bapt-play-therapy-qualification/

it seems your nursery nurse qualification can act instead of a degree.

Thank you so much this is very helpful!! I really appreciate your input :)

Thank you, another route to explore! Info like this is invaluable to me!

Look at emhp roles

You could also join a school as support staff and ask them to train you as am emotional literacy support assistant

Was going to say CWP - look for some basic CBT training to bolster your CV

You could look at qualifying as a nurse or a social worker. There's quite a breadth of jobs a qualified nurse can do, such as health visitor and ADHD prescriber. Same for social work, there's a range of roles once you're qualified.

Perhaps try this course before committing to something more?

Sorry to sound silly, what is CWP?

Social work sounds interesting, I will look into that! Unfortunately I couldn’t be a nurse, I’m very squeamish lol x

Great advice, thank you!

I’ve retrained as a counsellor and I have had a really positive experience.
my background has been in education. I did a counselling skills course, then a part time post graduate diploma over two years. I also did a placement of over 100 hours of therapy. I’m now doing a masters add on in children and young people counselling.
I’ve started a low key private practice alongside working part time in my education role. I’m fortunate as I took a gamble, rented a room and thankfully I am making more than my rent and am fairly steady with clients so far but of course, there’s times when it is a bit quieter.
I don’t think I will give up my other role altogether but I have a far better work life balance and I love the client work I am doing. It is really varied, interesting and rewarding.

That’s a really positive post to read, thank you.
It’s that interesting most counselling jobs seem to be in the private field now which is like taking on a whole new skill set in itself.. I’m glad you’re doing so well, a positive spin on this!

Great thread @Becuaseicouldntsee
I agree in that trying to identify the correct qualifications for a counsellor seems quite difficult to pin down. I'm never sure if some of the courses are actually accredited & do they make you employable. Completing Level 2 then 3 then 4/5 seems a very long route.
@ILoveLeopard245 I've recently seen a Post Grad Certificate in Counselling (over 2 years) with the option to do an MSc by adding a 3rd year. Is this the route you've gone down? I'm wondering if this would be a quicker route that leads to a useable qualification?

@ILoveLeopard245 sorry, can I ask about your post graduate diploma. Was it part time & if so, how many days per week were you in university?
Were you able to do it alongside your teaching job?
Thanks,

@Sunshineandswimming yes that’s what I did. Part time over two years. It was one full day at uni. It was doable but there were times it was a bit manic at times when you’ve essays due in.
Placement and juggling all that was hard going at times but I loved it. I did it alongside my job.

Paediatric occupational therapist, or speech and language therapist? Both a 2 year masters if you already have an undergraduate degree.