From Social Work to Counselling??

[slipperandpjsmum]

I currently work as a Social Worker in an inner city area. I would like a change in direction and wondered has anyone made the move from social work to counselling?

I was considering an MA. Would this be the best route to ensure I was able to practice as a counsellor?

You can do it in less time than an MA - have you looked on the bacp website?

Oh can I? Thanks for that. Do you work in counselling?

I used to manage a counselling charity so have some insight into the world of counselling and workload of counsellors.

It is a long term career change and imo you would need to be supported financially for a good 10-15 years before you make enough money to sustain yourself. Training as a counsellor is highly reflective - you would need to be in personal therapy for all of your training. Have you undergone personal therapy before?

You'd also need to think about what type of career as a counsellor you would want? Are you looking for a ft career change? Or are you aiming to have your own clients or work for a charity/NHS? Would you want to work with adult/children/couples?

Appologies if it's bad form to high jack a thread but this is relevant to me too!

So, is there NHS work out there? Is it right that millions are being pumped into mental health? Is this part of the Low Intensity worker programme?

Personally, I wouldn't mind part time with private or NHS work, particuarly with adults.