Counselor in UK
Hi I have an honors degree in Psychology. That I achieved back home in South Africa. I’ve been looking at different career and study options in the Uk as we have moved here and I intend on staying here. I was have learnt that I don’t need to have Masters in the UK to become a counselor and im interested in that. I have visited the BACP site and I still don’t have a proper understanding of what route I would need to take in order to become a counselor . Can someone please explain to me simply how I can become a counselor in the UK including the duration .. also, just for additional info, i would like to work with the youth or kids
Original post by NataliaX07
Hi I have an honors degree in Psychology. That I achieved back home in South Africa. I’ve been looking at different career and study options in the Uk as we have moved here and I intend on staying here. I was have learnt that I don’t need to have Masters in the UK to become a counselor and im interested in that. I have visited the BACP site and I still don’t have a proper understanding of what route I would need to take in order to become a counselor . Can someone please explain to me simply how I can become a counselor in the UK including the duration .. also, just for additional info, i would like to work with the youth or kids
You can do a degree in counselling and psychotherapy, such as this one: https://www.salford.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/counselling-and-psychotherapy-professional-practice.
Alternatively, you can complete professional training starting with a level 2 certificate (e.g., https://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/csk-l2), which is a short course. You would then complete a level 3 counselling skills certificate, which takes 1 academic year part-time, and then a level 4 diploma with a professional placement, which takes 2 academic years part-time. These courses are available at many local colleges and training centres, so search around for what is near you.
With a psychology degree and counselling training, you may also then be able to progress into different roles in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, such as training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, CBT therapist etc.
Original post by Nerol
You can do a degree in counselling and psychotherapy, such as this one: https://www.salford.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/counselling-and-psychotherapy-professional-practice.
Alternatively, you can complete professional training starting with a level 2 certificate (e.g., https://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/csk-l2), which is a short course. You would then complete a level 3 counselling skills certificate, which takes 1 academic year part-time, and then a level 4 diploma with a professional placement, which takes 2 academic years part-time. These courses are available at many local colleges and training centres, so search around for what is near you.
With a psychology degree and counselling training, you may also then be able to progress into different roles in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, such as training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, CBT therapist etc.
Alternatively, you can complete professional training starting with a level 2 certificate (e.g., https://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/csk-l2), which is a short course. You would then complete a level 3 counselling skills certificate, which takes 1 academic year part-time, and then a level 4 diploma with a professional placement, which takes 2 academic years part-time. These courses are available at many local colleges and training centres, so search around for what is near you.
With a psychology degree and counselling training, you may also then be able to progress into different roles in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, such as training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, CBT therapist etc.
Hi, so my psychology degree wouldn't get me anywhere? I would still need a degree in counseling and psychotherapy or multiple years in training? do you know if you get paid for any of that training
Original post by NataliaX07
Hi, so my psychology degree wouldn't get me anywhere? I would still need a degree in counseling and psychotherapy or multiple years in training? do you know if you get paid for any of that training
Counselling in the UK strictly speaking doesn't require you to have any specific qualifiations. However, a standard person going in without any training or qualifications isn't going to help. For an experienced person, I think it's more down to the individual employer.
See the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/counsellor (UK government's website for job profiles)
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/counsellor
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/counsellor (NHS being the UK's healthcare system)
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/therapy/job-profile/counsellor
https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/
https://www.thecounsellorsguide.co.uk/counsellors-job-profile.html
Personally, I would go with the college courses as recommended by the BACP; these are a level below a degree, but they can still be pricey e.g. £300 for an introductory course, £1000 for a year long course, £1500-2000 for an advanced diploma.
Whether you would be paid for any of the training would depend on your employer. I would suspect you should be able to get away with just getting the necessary qualifications mandated by the employer's policies, considering your experience and background.
I would also check to see if your degree is accredited by the BPS; this would help with accreditation and allows you to move into various psychology/mental health roles if you need to. See: https://www.bps.org.uk/faqs/does-society-accredit-international-degrees
Original post by NataliaX07
Hi, so my psychology degree wouldn't get me anywhere? I would still need a degree in counseling and psychotherapy or multiple years in training? do you know if you get paid for any of that training
It wouldn't get you anywhere in terms of counselling training, no. It's a completely separate field. You can use your psychology degree to move into postgraduate psychology training, though, such as Clinical or Counselling Psychology doctorates, but you will need a lot of relevant experience and I don't think you would be eligible for funding as an international student (check, though, I may be wrong).
Counselling training is generally not paid. I covered tuition fees with a student loan, but placement hours were voluntary and I had to arrange the placements myself.
The training I am doing now (High Intensity Therapy) is a paid role with the NHS at band 6. Again, I had to have a lot of experience to get this role, which for me included my counselling training and work, and my psychology degree certainly helped.
Counselling roles are sadly not that well paid, usually. For me, it was a stepping stone to where I am now.
Basically, your psychology degree will open doors, but you will need much more training to work in psychotherapy or psychology.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Can someone other than your referee write your UCAS reference letter?
- An international student applying to American Universities from the UK
- Wild packs/ america camps
- asking therapy girlies (and guys too) any reccomendations for a good therapist?
- UCAS Reference: How many subject teachers to contact/contribute?
- hi im failing sixth form and I want to do medicine
- I'm a US student a bit troubled about UCAS's reference/recommendation letter
- Care work in London for a portuguese citizen
- What happens after I accept an offer (undergrad)?
- How to apply to US university?
- I think I might have ADHD - What do I do?
- Edinburgh A-Level Predicted Grades A*A*AA Computer Science
- How do people manage to get more than 45 IB points?
- US/UK entry requirements
- unconsented disclosure for extenuating circumstances
- Best university for Sports management in the UK?
- How to access early PSAT scores
- Ucas application for gap year students
- 3 Ds, As Level
- Being an exchange student
Latest
Trending
Last reply 13 hours ago
Wolverhampton MSc psychology mental health and well-being (online)Psychology
132
Trending
Last reply 13 hours ago
Wolverhampton MSc psychology mental health and well-being (online)Psychology
132
