Becoming a counsellor

[stainesmassif]

Are there any routes into this other than a ba/ v expensive 3 year ft uni course? Do I really sound as naive as I think I do? I'm scared of the cost rather than the work.
I've seen that Relate offer training to become one of their counsellors. Is that a good alternative?
TIA.

If you search the archive, i.e. do an advanced search, you'll find shedloads of posts on this. Also I would check out the Open University's Foundation Degree in Counselling - this incorporates respected Level 4 and Level 5 CPCAB counselling qualifications, after which you can go on and become a BACP-accredited counsellor. The OU is cheaper than normal universities.