What is the best route to take to become a counsellor?

4

I know to become a counsellor you have to be accredited by the BACP, however, I am struggling to find any course that is accredited by them. There are hardly any counselling degrees, they are all pysch or psych with counselling which I wouldn't have a problem with but their only accredited by the BSP which means I can't practice without a Masters... I think?

Can anyone recommend me a good route to take in order to become a counsellor? I start my access course in sep but we start applying for next year so I need to figure out this **** quick and I'm stressing out!

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

When you say "I am struggling to find any course that is accredited by them.", I assume you're aware of the list of courses on the BACP web site, here?

(You may want to filter by Full Time courses, of which there appear to be just 15 nationwide.)

Reply 2

PhoebeBatchelor

OP

4

Original post by DataVenia

When you say "I am struggling to find any coIurse that is accredited by them.", I assume you're aware of the list of courses on the BACP web site, here?

(You may want to filter by Full Time courses, of which there appear to be just 15 nationwide.)

I am such a moron, thank you for this!

Reply 3

Nerol

21

Original post by PhoebeBatchelor

I know to become a counsellor you have to be accredited by the BACP, however, I am struggling to find any course that is accredited by them. There are hardly any counselling degrees, they are all pysch or psych with counselling which I wouldn't have a problem with but their only accredited by the BSP which means I can't practice without a Masters... I think?

Can anyone recommend me a good route to take in order to become a counsellor? I start my access course in sep but we start applying for next year so I need to figure out this **** quick and I'm stressing out!

You don't have to be accredited by the BACP to practice as a counsellor, but many organisations ask for it.

I've just qualified, and I trained part-time alongside finishing a Psychology degree and full-time work. I did a level 3 Counselling Skills Certificate, and then a level 4 diploma in Therapeautic Counselling. Both of these required me to attend a local college one evening per week, and the level 4 course involved a 100-hour placement, which I had to find myself. I'm starting a trainee High Intensity Therapist role in September, so will work towards BACP and BABCP accreditation.

There is more information about how to train as a counsellor here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/

Reply 4

Northerner22

1

Original post by Nerol

You don't have to be accredited by the BACP to practice as a counsellor, but many organisations ask for it.

I've just qualified, and I trained part-time alongside finishing a Psychology degree and full-time work. I did a level 3 Counselling Skills Certificate, and then a level 4 diploma in Therapeautic Counselling. Both of these required me to attend a local college one evening per week, and the level 4 course involved a 100-hour placement, which I had to find myself. I'm starting a trainee High Intensity Therapist role in September, so will work towards BACP and BABCP accreditation.

There is more information about how to train as a counsellor here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/

Can I ask whether you got any funding for your Level 4 diploma? I'm due to start a PG Dip Counselling & Psychotherapy qualification in September but I'm getting really confusing messages about funding. I spoke to Student Loans and at first they said to apply for a Masters Loan (which didn't seem right), then they said to apply for a part-time undergraduate loan (which I am in the process of doing) which I'm not convinced is right. My University didn't quibble when I told them at interview that I needed a student loan for the fees, now I've been told that was wrong and that I can't get a student loan because it isn't a Masters. I'm mega stressed, is there really a gap in funding for counselling diploma students when the country is supposed to be crying out for mental health professionals?

Many thanks

Reply 5

Lord Asriel

11

Original post by Northerner22

Can I ask whether you got any funding for your Level 4 diploma? I'm due to start a PG Dip Counselling & Psychotherapy qualification in September but I'm getting really confusing messages about funding. I spoke to Student Loans and at first they said to apply for a Masters Loan (which didn't seem right), then they said to apply for a part-time undergraduate loan (which I am in the process of doing) which I'm not convinced is right. My University didn't quibble when I told them at interview that I needed a student loan for the fees, now I've been told that was wrong and that I can't get a student loan because it isn't a Masters. I'm mega stressed, is there really a gap in funding for counselling diploma students when the country is supposed to be crying out for mental health professionals?

Many thanks

I have never heard of people getting loans for PGDips, as they often fall out of the funding criteria (possibly because more often than not are the sort of thing an employer would fund for a specific role).

As for a gap in counselling diploma funding, there isn't a shortage of counsellors if you read journals like Therapy today there is actually a massive oversupply caused by training organisations being paid to fill classes, without any corresponding workforce planning. Unlike say medicine or nursing, where the NHS closely links training places with workforce demand, there is nothing in the counselling world like that.

However, there is a shortage of paid jobs for Counsellors in places like the NHS and other organisations, which is why a large number of counsellors work unpaid. This in turn sets the expectation that you don't need to pay for counsellors (or get away with paying them less than other kinds of therapists). You can read about the cycle of exploitation here: https://ukcounsellors.co.uk/cycle-of-counsellor-exploitation/

Reply 6

Nerol

21

Original post by Northerner22

Can I ask whether you got any funding for your Level 4 diploma? I'm due to start a PG Dip Counselling & Psychotherapy qualification in September but I'm getting really confusing messages about funding. I spoke to Student Loans and at first they said to apply for a Masters Loan (which didn't seem right), then they said to apply for a part-time undergraduate loan (which I am in the process of doing) which I'm not convinced is right. My University didn't quibble when I told them at interview that I needed a student loan for the fees, now I've been told that was wrong and that I can't get a student loan because it isn't a Masters. I'm mega stressed, is there really a gap in funding for counselling diploma students when the country is supposed to be crying out for mental health professionals?

Many thanks

Hi!

Yes, I used an Advanced Learner Loan which covered most of the cost - I still had to pay some myself. As far as I know, postgraduate diplomas are not eligible for funding via a student loan. Advanced learner loans can be used for courses up to level 6 (PG Diploma is level 7). I'd suggest maye looking for level 4 or 5 counselling diplomas if you need a loan, butkeep in mind you will still need to pay some of the cost yourself. It's certainly not a cheap career route, especially as you will be expected to do an unpaid placement and possibly pay for supervision and personal therapy. I wish I could have given you a better answer!

Reply 7

libby5585545373

Original post by Nerol

You don't have to be accredited by the BACP to practice as a counsellor, but many organisations ask for it.
I've just qualified, and I trained part-time alongside finishing a Psychology degree and full-time work. I did a level 3 Counselling Skills Certificate, and then a level 4 diploma in Therapeautic Counselling. Both of these required me to attend a local college one evening per week, and the level 4 course involved a 100-hour placement, which I had to find myself. I'm starting a trainee High Intensity Therapist role in September, so will work towards BACP and BABCP accreditation.
There is more information about how to train as a counsellor here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/

Can you share the level 3 and 4 courses you did? Everything I see says that I have to start from level 2 (I also have a Bsc in Psychology)

What is the best route to take to become a counsellor?

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