Counselling/ Therapy qualifications

[ZoobieMoo]

I'm thinking of undertaking some sort of training to be a counsellor. Not sure which course to go for yet. I'm a graduate, but haven't studied for 12 years and haven't worked for nearly 5 years (been a SAHM, used to work in arts management). My dream is to use a room in our new extension to eventually see my clients, and to specialise in relationship cpunselling. Does anyone have any advice at all? All seems a bit confusing and daunting at the moment. Is it just a pipe dream? Would I have to do years of training and then working for the NHS before I was able to set up my private practice? How does it work?

Hi there

I'm in the final stages of training as a Child Psychotherapist, so hopefully I can offer a bit of advice.
As far as I am aware, most counselling and psychotherapy training courses are either a 3 year Post Grad Diploma or a 4 year MA,and they are usually part-time. Once you have completed the introductory/foundation year, then you would usually be able to organise a clinical work placement and begin seeing clients under supervision, this may be paid work, but often it will be voluntary, depending on the setting.
Alongside this you would be required to undergo some counselling/therapy yourself, though this varies from course to course.
Once you have qualified, you would be able to set up a private practice straight away if that was your aim, you wouldn't necessarily have to work elsewhere beforehand, though many people combine the two, having a job plus some private clients.
Of course I am biased, but I think this type of training is fascinating and ultimately hugely rewarding. You would certainly be able to work flexibly if you had a private practice, which is great if you still have a young family. The downside can be the cost, some course fees are just a few hundred pounds per year, others run into the thousands.
I've typed this in a bit of a rush, so there's probably loads more I could add. Your plan sounds great, so hopefully it will happen!