Help! How to become an accredited counsellor? UK

Hi. I need some serious advice. I am in my 40s and recently completed my biology degree with a 2:1 and also an introductory course into counselling at level 4 with Newman uni. I have had some interviews with some unis to get on to accredited courses but due to how competitive is it, so far I've had no luck. I don't want to waste a year volunteering to be rejected again.
I want to work with domestic violence victims and help/counsel/support these people due to my own personal experiences.
So what I wanted to know is, with the qualifications I have what relevant course should I do so that an organisation will hire me?
I am scared that I will complete a course which will cost me a lot and my time in years and then to be told I have the wrong qualification.
I have been applying for psychotherapy and counselling courses accredited but like I said no luck.
I have seen an online course with Arden uni - msc psychology conversion course bps accredited. Will this is ok?
Or does the course need to be ukcp or BACP accredited? Please help with all the information out there I need serious guidance/ advice. Thanks in advance.

Based on what you have said, dont do psychology as the conversion does not qualify you to practise, and not particularly relevant to counselling. You need to follow the below if you want to work therapeutically with people in a counselling role (if you want to get on a course you need to ask for as much feedback on why you have been rejected, and then work on these points);
https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/
Regarding your career role, please make sure you are emotionally ready to work in the area you want. I think this is vital as you have lived experience in the same area you want to work. This can be an amazing asset but can also be very traumatic for lots of people, and is the reason why many therapists try and avoid areas where they have experienced trauma themselves (you need to ensure you are there for them and not reliving your own trauma at the same time). I am sure have considered this already.
You also dont need to be a counsellor to help someone (practical support can often be equal or more important in times of high stress/overwhelm), so i would reach out to local womens charities in this area and try and get a visit and some info on how you might be able to help.
On a final note counselling is on average a 3 plus year journey to becoming accredited, and can take many more years (and upwards of 7k unfunded). So make sure it is what you actually want.
Greg

I thought as much. I have thoroughly researched and knew I need to be accredited by BACP or ukcp. Thank you for the link, I have been on there and applied to all the universities near me.
I had an interview with Warwick and got rejected so I have emailed them for feedback. So just waiting on them to get back to me. To be honest I think I messed up the interview because I was a little too honest. They asked me about my vulnerability and I said was too emotional but never elaborated that I meant I get invested/passionate 🙈 but I am just presuming plus very nervous at the time.
Yh I am ready, I am in my 40s now and it was 20 years ago so I have processed my trauma. I kind of over it and really want to help others because no one deserves it. To live life with trauma is horrible but once you realise it’s not you, it’s them then it all changes.
Thank you.

Well i think you will make a very good counsellor then. If you got interviews thats great, you might just need to focus on practising talking about your journey and experiences then. Maybe consulting with a counsellor and paying for a few reflective sessions might be helpful (ideally look for one who lectures on a course). This might be a very wise investment.
Good luck,
Greg

Hi. I need some serious advice. I am in my 40s and recently completed my biology degree with a 2:1 and also an introductory course into counselling at level 4 with Newman uni. I have had some interviews with some unis to get on to accredited courses but due to how competitive is it, so far I've had no luck. I don't want to waste a year volunteering to be rejected again.
I want to work with domestic violence victims and help/counsel/support these people due to my own personal experiences.
So what I wanted to know is, with the qualifications I have what relevant course should I do so that an organisation will hire me?
I am scared that I will complete a course which will cost me a lot and my time in years and then to be told I have the wrong qualification.
I have been applying for psychotherapy and counselling courses accredited but like I said no luck.
I have seen an online course with Arden uni - msc psychology conversion course bps accredited. Will this is ok?
Or does the course need to be ukcp or BACP accredited? Please help with all the information out there I need serious guidance/ advice. Thanks in advance.

@hka32
Gregg (above) makes some brilliant points.
The MSc Psychology (Conversion) at Arden is probably not the right course for you, I did it, it's fully accredited by the BPS and had a brilliant time. It's more for people who want to progress into areas like Educational Psychological, Clinical Psychology etc but you need doctorate level study to be fully qualified in those areas in the UK
I teach in an F.E college and in the classroom next door they teach counselling and they highlight the importance of emotional resilience when speaking to clients
Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

I thought as much. I have thoroughly researched and knew I need to be accredited by BACP or ukcp. Thank you for the link, I have been on there and applied to all the universities near me.
I had an interview with Warwick and got rejected so I have emailed them for feedback. So just waiting on them to get back to me. To be honest I think I messed up the interview because I was a little too honest. They asked me about my vulnerability and I said was too emotional but never elaborated that I meant I get invested/passionate 🙈 but I am just presuming plus very nervous at the time.
Yh I am ready, I am in my 40s now and it was 20 years ago so I have processed my trauma. I kind of over it and really want to help others because no one deserves it. To live life with trauma is horrible but once you realise it’s not you, it’s them then it all changes.
Thank you.

@hka32
Hi, I see you have some excellent and accurate advice already. I did the MSc Psychology (conversion) at Arden which was brilliant, but it probably isn't the correct pathway into counselling. A lot of people doing the course wanted to go into areas like educational and clinical psychology (to be a 'psychologist' in the UK you need to have done doctorate level study).
Your local F.E college or University centre might be worth talking too to see if they do relevant courses. I've taught in F.E for over 10 years and quite often there are counselling course next door and they often involvement a certain number of 1 2 1 sessions with members of the public
Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador