Counselling is a form of psychological therapy that focuses on improving mental health and treating mental illness. It may also be used as an introspective method of repairing broken relationships.
Common types of counselling include cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and couples’ therapy. Applicants for counselling courses will need to have an excellent aptitude for communication, empathy, integrity, listening, organisation, and professionalism.
A master’s degree or PhD in counselling is a common route for students who want to begin a career in psychotherapy. However, if you want to supplement your knowledge of counselling for a related field of work, you may find that a diploma or foundation course in counselling is better suited to your needs.
Courses related to counselling include criminology, health sciences, nursing and mental health, psychology, social work and sociology.
Studying counselling at the postgraduate level will typically take one to three years, depending on your study destination, degree and study mode. At the undergraduate level, counselling is usually studied as part of a three-year degree.
If you want to become a counsellor or therapist, many countries require registration with a relevant accreditation body. For example, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in the UK. Counselling is commonly studied at postgraduate level as a certificate, diploma, master’s degree or PhD.
Alternatively, you may choose to complete a foundation course or associate degree as a route into counselling. Another option is to study it as part of a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a related subject, such as psychology. A counselling degree is typically taught as a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and group work. It may also include work placements or job shadowing.
Some areas that you may cover in your degree include:
1. Communication and counselling skills
2. Counselling approaches
3. Theory for counselling practice
4. The social context of counselling
5. Psychology of mental health
Some counselling specialisations include:
1. Grief counselling
2. Family therapy
3. Talking therapies
4. Art therapy
If you want to study counselling abroad, you must meet basic entry requirements. These may vary between institutions and courses, but for a postgraduate degree in counselling you will typically need:
1.Two to three A-Levels (or equivalent)
2. At least a 2:2 in an undergraduate degree (ideally, but not essentially, in a related subject such as psychology)
3. IELTS overall score of 6.5 or 7.0
Some courses may also require applicants to either have experienced therapy themselves or to be in therapy while they study. Although this might seem like an intimate request, many students feel they can bring more to their studies through this experience. They find it a helpful method of processing some of the more difficult emotional issues raised in their studies and practice. Before you apply, remember to check your prospective university’s requirements and that your existing qualifications will be accepted.
If you want to study overseas to become a counsellor, you must make sure you graduate from a professionally accredited course before you can practise. Counselling is a profession that is immensely rewarding and often offers flexible working hours and great opportunities for career progression.
Psychotherapy as an industry is constantly growing in demand, meaning with a degree in counselling, you should have scope to become a counsellor abroad, if you want. Counselling can also be a lucrative career, with licensed mental health counsellors in the USA making an average of USD 50,000 per year.
It is worth noting that starting salaries are usually much lower. As a counsellor, you may find yourself working in:
1. GP practices
2. Hospitals
3. Educational settings
4. Prisons
5. Therapy clinics
Many counselling graduates choose to start their own business once they have established themselves in the industry. Other careers you may wish to pursue once you have obtained your counselling degree include:
1. Charity work
2. Consultancy
3. Human resources
4. Psychology
5. Social work
