Counselling psychologist : Training

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:

•  post-qualification courses which help develop knowledge of different theoretical approaches;
•  received or conferred professional supervision;
•  presentations;
•  attendance at conferences;
•  topical research;
•  development of expertise with a particular client group.

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.