Am I too old for career change?

[Josie1968]

Hi there

I’m 51 years old and am currently a social worker working with adults in a community mental health team. I enjoy my job but I’ve been thinking recently that I would like to work as a therapist possibly cbt in a talking therapies team or as a high intensity therapist. I’m not sure I would be considered though due to my age .. would love to hear of anyone that had a career change / retrained later in life .. thank you!

Hi - I’m retraining to be a counsellor at the moment and I’m 47. I’m not the oldest on my course at all and in many ways being older is a help. I say go for it.

My best friend on my nursing degree turned 50 during our training. She'd been a police officer and then a TA.

Oh and another friend's husband was retraining as a counsellor at 50 something after being a taxi driver for decades.

I'm 41 and was wondering if I'm too old. I work in criminal justice and just need to do something different. Looking at social worker or occupational therapy.
I'm doubting myself but to you I say go for it!
I'd also like to be a counsellor

@PurpleSweetPeas I was 41 when I did my social work degree so I don’t think you’re too old at all. Go for it! I just think at 52 like me.. would employers want to take someone at that age? Although I really don’t feel that age at all!! 😱🤣

No, I'm planning to do a second degree at 50. Already working in that field but want to earn more and I can't do that without a relevant degree.

Experience is more valued in therapy/healthcare so you're perfectly placed to make the change.

What training will you have to do to get there?

@EddieBananas it’s a one year post graduate course whilst also working ‘on the job’ as a trainee. I think I’ll apply when I see a post advertised because from what’s been said on here I’m hopefully not too old! Good luck with your degree 😊

@gegs73 good luck with your counselling course! 😊

@CatVsChristmasTree thank you, that’s reassured me 😊

@Josie1968

Yes, absolutely go for it! One year is nothing especially as you are already working the day job. It will open up more options to you. Sadly, I think women need all the help they can get in the workplace when they get older (as much as it pains me to say it!).

I would prefer not to have three years out but it is what it is. I'm hoping it will give me a new lease of life. Bit sick of what I was doing before and not particularly interested in doing it until retirement.

@Josie1968

Who would be the employer?

@EddieBananas thank you. I’m curious now, what degree are you going to do, and what job are you leaving?! 😄

@EddieBananas the NHS

@Josie1968

Ooh! Don't want to out myself but worked in an office for a long time. Have been working in the NHS for a few years but going to do an allied health degree.

The NHS is great for older women because they value age and experience over being a bright and attractive young thing.... As soon as I hit 40 I started getting seriously overlooked where previously I was offered pretty much any job I interviewed for.

@EddieBananas 🤫 I won’t tell anyone!! Good luck.. 😊

The good thing about therapy/counselling careers is that age is not held against you. Therefore it's a great career to transition into. In fact, most counsellors/therapists follow it as a second career. I'm a counsellor/CBT therapist (did the CBT training last year) and I love it! Plus I'm earning more now than I ever have before whilst having the best work/life balance. Go for it!

@Lovestonap that’s good to hear thank you 😊