Can anyone advise regarding retraining as a counsellor. I'm trying to find out about counselling courses.

[Sunshineandswimming]

I'm in my mid 50s and I've worked in the NHS as a nurse for around 30 years. I have a BSc in nursing and I've studied some Masters modules.
I'm interested in retraining as a counsellor but I want to check if I understand the training requirements. Can anyone advise, please?
From my research, it looks like I have to do a level 2 counselling course first. I can see the Government offer these free - are these sufficient for the standard level 2 introduction to counselling? If not, can anyone recommend any other level 2 courses, please? There seems to be so many private providers & I'm not sure all are at the required standard.
I think I then have to do a level 3 then level 4 course, before I would be qualified to work as a counsellor. Is this correct?
I'm wondering if my previous nursing experience & degree would allow me to bypass any of the foundation level counselling courses, or does everyone have to start at level 2? I'm asking this due to my age & obviously all these courses will cost me too.
If anyone can offer any advice or recommend any course providers I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

You don’t have to start at level 2, there are many different ways of training but it is long, expensive and hard to make a living from.

It works well as a part time job to top up household income.
Unless you work in the nhs, when you need to be focused on eg CBT. This work is short term, and for me would be very unsatisfactory as you can’t properly help most of the clients you see in only 6 or 12 sessions.

You can go straight into a level 6 course in psychotherapeutic counselling for example, but it will take 3-4 years of part time study, a few hundred hours of volunteer hours of experience, paid for private therapy and supervision as well as course fees.

find an introductory course that gives a taste of different modalities, so you can choose the one that’s right for you (if you go ahead)

There are many colleges and many pathways. There are plans ahead for qualifications to be standardised. Currently anyone can set up with no qualifications at all.

check any course you’re interested in that it is bacp or ukcp accredited as it will be future proof.

Those who I know that did this are working in different areas having been unable to make a living in counselling.

You don’t need to start with a level 2. You will
be able to start at masters level on a UKCP course. You won’t get prior accredited learning for your nursing, but you will meet the entry requirements. Have a look at the UKCP website - there is also limited funded training through the NHS which is currently a pilot.

Thanks so much everyone. That's really useful info. You've probably confirmed what I was concerned about & that's making a living out of it. Lots of food for thought. Thank you all.

It is hard to make a living, but not impossible, especially if you train to work in the NHS (CBT, systemic psychotherapy or with children) If you want to work privately, you have to learn how to run a business as well as how to offer therapy. Most people who start training don’t realise they will have to do marketing etc, or train in a qualification which isn’t sought after for employers. If you research it properly and know what to expect, it’s completely possible to make a living.

I retrained as a counsellor at 47, from education. I did a Level 3 in counselling skills (did a short course in the 90s, counselled voluntarily for a
year or two) and then a Level 4 Foundation Degree in counselling.

In order to qualify you need a Diploma or a Foundation Degree, best check with the BACP (professional body) for latest requirements. Once qualified you need to register with them (other counselling bodies are available). I did the foundation degree as I think it’s more robust (more focus on personal development/therapy). You will need a placement in order to get your therapy hours in.

I now work for a charity, know loads of my colleagues who are working in private practice.

Retraining was the best thing I ever did. Go for it. It cost me about £10k to train, worth every penny.

If you wanted to check you liked the work, you could become a listening support for Cruse. It’s listening support rather than counselling but similar enough that you’d get an idea if you’d enjoy it. The training is free.

I am a big believer in counselling from a client point of view but it does seem difficult to make it pay.

This is a sector that is rapidly being eroded by large, commoditised providers such as Better Help. Not to mention the idea of chatting to AI, which seems ludicrous to me, but I am increasingly seeing it recommended on Mumsnet. Counselling charities are often struggling too…

Acquiring a high-earning spouse seems to be an essential part of the training process - unfortunately I am not even joking!

Thanks so much everyone. I do appreciate your wise insights and honesty. From what everyone has shared, I don't think it will be viable to do the training & then look at working in counselling as I'm already in my mid 50s and I'm hoping to retire at 60 (sooner if possible). Thanks for all your help.