Counselling psychologist
Counselling psychologists work therapeutically with clients who present with a variety of mental health problems and difficulties regarding life issues. Life issues may include bereavement, the effects of childhood sexual abuse, relationship issues, domestic violence or major trauma. Mental health problems include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychosis. Counselling psychologists work collaboratively with people to explore underlying issues and empower them to consider change.
Counselling psychologists use a holistic framework when working with clients and examine issues within a wide context. They also focus on personal insight and the relationship with the client.
Counselling psychologists aim to help individuals make decisions for themselves in order to improve their sense of personal wellbeing and alleviate distress. The work is concerned with the application of psychological theories and techniques to help people deal with everyday problems associated with life events and mental health issues. Contact is mainly in a community/social, health/medical or organisational setting with the following clients:
Tasks typically include:
The work may also involve teaching, supervising and training other counselling psychologists or related professionals.
There are two steps to becoming a chartered counselling psychologist.
You need to achieve the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBS) which can be done by completing a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate degree or a conversion course. Conversion courses are usually at least one year in length. See British Psychological Society (BPS) Accredited Psychology Courses for further details.
Following your degree, you need to complete a BPS accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or the BPS Qualification in Counselling Psychology.
Full details about qualifying to become a chartered counselling psychologist are available from the British Psychological Society (BPS) .
In order to use the title ‘counselling psychologist’, you must register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) . In order to qualify to register, you must have completed a PhD or BPS Qualification in Counselling Psychology.
Entrance with an HND only is not possible.
Entry to postgraduate courses is becoming increasingly competitive with courses requiring a good first degree (at least a 2:2 and usually higher), relevant paid or voluntary work experience and often some basic counselling skills qualifications. For more information on basic counselling skills courses, contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) .
In order to get relevant work experience, potential candidates should consider looking for paid work and volunteer placements in a supportive mental health role. These types of vacancies can generally be found in the non-profit, health and human services sectors. Evidence of long-term volunteering is also beneficial, as this demonstrates the ability to be emotionally robust.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
Postgraduate training is likely to be self-financed. It is also usual for students to pay for their own personal therapy and, in certain cases, for their required supervision. Some trainees secure posts as assistant psychologists first and negotiate part or total funding towards their training. It may also be possible approach psychology departments for sponsorship. Students can find out more about possible funding from RDInfo .
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
In addition to the placements provided and the professional experience gained en route to chartered status, training is an integral part of a counselling psychologist's career.
Chartered counselling psychologists are obliged by the Health Professions Council (HPC) to take part in continuing professional development (CPD). The British Psychological Society (BPS) also says that continuing professional development is important in order to make sure that counselling psychologists are working within their own competence.
Examples of relevant professional development include:
The BPS supports the CPD of members by providing learning opportunities (including courses, workshops and conferences) through the BPS Learning Centre .
This is a career in which further study and specialism development is usually encouraged and supported. Most counselling psychologists have a supervisor or mentor to whom they can turn on an ongoing basis for advice, guidance and inspiration in dealing with challenging situations, clients or groups.
The National Health Service (NHS) , HM Prison Service , probation services, the civil service and local authorities all provide clearly defined career paths for suitably qualified psychologists.
Counselling psychologists tend to work fairly autonomously, which gives them a certain amount of choice in organising their time and workload. After qualification, there is the opportunity to move into various specialisms and to choose to work with specific client groups. With specialisms, there is a relatively short promotion ladder in the NHS and other areas, but individuals can move up the salary scale by gaining qualifications and experience.
There is also the opportunity to move into self-employment as you gain knowledge and experience or to combine self-employment with part-time work for an employer such as the NHS. Additionally, counselling psychologists have the opportunity to become involved in teaching, consultancy, supervision and training of other counselling psychologists.
Counselling psychologists are often employed by the National Health Service (NHS) in settings such as:
See NHS Careers for more information.
Counselling psychologists are also employed in private hospitals, independent practice, schools, colleges, universities and a wide range of voluntary organisations.
Other employers include the civil service (see Civil Service Jobs ), the prison service (see Careers in the Justice System ), probationary services, occupational health departments and social services.
Although fewer in number, opportunities also exist in the private sector including providing psychological therapy services to industry and in employee assistance programmes (EAPs). Within these settings, counselling psychologists may work directly with individuals, couples, families and groups. They may also act as consultants to other professionals.
Local press and hospital websites also advertise vacancies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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