I
imagine that you are reading this because you may want to pursue a career in
counselling, or at least find out more.
Did you know that anyone can call themselves a counsellor? It’s a bit scary. Any person could put a plaque up on their
garden shed, ‘The counsellor is in’ – and start seeing clients.
Of
course, reputable people will seek counselling
training to ensure that they gain some expertise and get some practice,
before seeing their first paying client.
How then, do you choose a counselling course?
The
first caution is to find a course that has been recognised, that is
‘accredited’ by a worthy organisation, eg the University of Surrey, or the
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). If they have had a good look at the
curriculum, the student intake and the tutor group, then you can rely on that
course.
Another
way to ensure that your counselling training is bonafide is the intake requirements. Is the course just accepting anyone and
everyone who can pay their fees? I would
be wary of that. However, if the course
joining criteria mean that the tutors are selective about the students they
take, then I would be reassured.
There
are many courses around and if you find a good one, then you will find the
content and its requirements of you to be challenging, thought provoking and a
little uncomfortable.
But
counselling is a very worthwhile career and worth the early tribulations.
