counselling

[counsellor]

I'm just about to start a 1 year certificate course in counselling and wondered if anyone knew wether i would be qualified to practice after this years course or do i have to complete the diploma?

[Buenchico]

It's impossible to give a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer to this question:

Anyone can call themself a 'counsellor'. It's not a 'protected title' (like 'dietician' or 'music therapist)'.

Certificates and diplomas provide evidence of training but (because anyone can use the title 'counsellor') they don't serve as a licence to practice.

If you're hoping to gain employment within an organisation, then it will be up to that organisation to decide whether they'll accept a certificate or whether they require the diploma. (Different organisations will have different policies).

If you're planning to provide a private counselling service, you can do so right now (without any formal training). Obviously, I don't recommend that course of action. In a year's time, you'll be able to describe yourself as a 'certificated counsellor'. You wouldn't need to study the diploma course, although you might wish to do so to further your professional development.

Chris

[gustavklimts]

Hi, I hope you enjoy your course but you do need to complete the diploma in order to practice professionally as a qualified counsellor...good luck

[WendyS]

I think you will find that if you want to be employed by any bona fide organisation these days you will have to complete the diploma. This is not a cheap option as you will have to to undergo your own counselling therapy (which you will have to pay for) and will also have to complete a minimum number of hours voluntary counselling of clients, which also will be unpaid.

The 1 year certificate course is a good foundation but if you want to be taken completely seriously, and especially to set up your own practice, I think the diploma is a "must".

Be very sure that this is what you want to do. I have known two people who have done the certificate and then the diploma, and by the time they have finished, they have felt emotionally burned out to practice, or realised that having invested the money in their training, the financial rewards are insufficient to earn them a full-time living.