Career Change

[LittleZebra82]

Hello ladies, has anyone retrained as a counsellor? I’m considering returning to work but I’m desperate to change career. There’s an NCS counselling course quite near me - short course online starting soon followed by 2 years of 1 day per week so potentially I could be out the other side summer 2025. Has anyone done anything similar or got any advice? I’m 41.

Whole life story below - not even sure it’s relevant oops sorry

I had covid very badly and afterwards was diagnosed with several underlying conditions that make me vulnerable and also come with variable fatigue / brain fog / non linear recovery. I've worked full time and more for years but went part time following covid and then quit entirely to care for my mother until she passed away in 2021. Since then I’ve been caring for my father but it’s getting to the point I really need an income especially since my husband just had a heart attack and is off work. I’m diagnosed with Ehler Danlos syndrome, POTS, MCAS and being referred for autism spectrum and ADHD.

Taking the last 8 months totally off work has been amazing, I’ve had CBT for grief and PTSD and I’ve really worked on my physical health. The job I’m qualified for I absolutely loathe though (have hated it for years) and although I feel like I’m getting to the point where I could do some work just the thought of that work fills me with dread. I quit when they removed the mask requirement as I didn’t feel it was safe and I was self employed so I’ve had no income or benefits since last summer. I’ve kept up my professional registrations so I can practice at any time if things get desperate and there is work in my area although I think only full days and probably 1.5-2 hours drive each way to get there - this is enough to make me feel rough and basically spend the whole shift trying not to faint.

Honestly I would avoid this. I wanted to be a counsellor for a long time. I very nearly committed huge amounts of money to train.

I am so glad I didn't. Volunteering as a listener made me realise it just wasn't want I imagined or wanted. Although clients present with different problems it can feel really repetitive.

You often feel like people come to you thinking you have a magic wand and obviously you don't. What I have learnt is that the only person who can really make someone better is themselves. Too many people are hoping that someone else has the ability to fix them.

The investment is huge, the pay is little. There are very few jobs and these will often require accreditation with bacp. With ncs you will only at most meet the criteria to take an exam and register with bacp not ever meet the criteria to become accredited with them. Of course you can set up as self employed with NCS but there are few clients.

Just as in real life you will get on better with some people more than others and being in a situation with someone you don't click with can take a mental toll.

The plus side is it is lovely to know you have helped some people. Although often you do question how much difference you have actually made. In some cases lots, in other cases quite possibly none.

Bumping this thread as also considering to retrain as counsellor ( in my late 40s) but concern about the money commitment to retrain and the uncertain job perspectives.

I’d really recommend joining the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. I took the plunge and started the level 3 certificate course in February and hoping to start the level 4 diploma in September. I’ve been self employed since 2007 so not looking for an employed job after and only looking to do a few hours a week (I need an online job now for health reasons). I’m also doing a bit of online tuition for GCSEs which is going well and I’ve kept up my professional registration for my first job in case more online works becomes available there. I’m 41, was hoping to retire at 50 but counselling is really interesting and I’d be happy to do it as a paid hobby as I get older.

i don't have any advice but wow ur going through a lot. i have EDS, POTS, CFS, VCD, AMPS, and a few mental health disorders as well, so i can some-what relate. remember to take breaks consistently and try not to overwork yourself, its not worth it! + chronic illness sucks, i hope you get some relief!!