Counsellor : Career development

Because most counsellors work part time and/or on a voluntary basis, the career structure is not well developed.

Counselling units generally tend to be small with flat structures and opportunities for promotion are therefore restricted. In larger units, for example in educational or health settings, management opportunities exist but these tend to be less involved with seeing individual clients and more concerned with strategy and policy implementation.

There are opportunities to specialise in areas such as substance abuse, sexual health, bereavement, mental health or family therapy. Experienced counsellors may also specialise in areas such as training or supervision. Experience in more than one setting may be advantageous for career development in general.

There is also the option of becoming a self-employed counsellor once you have significant experience and have undergone thorough training and therapy. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)  recommends that private practitioners should first acquire BACP accreditation, although it is not compulsory to do so. Self-employment can be combined effectively with part-time or voluntary work. As demand for counselling services continues to rise, more people are turning to private practitioners, making it a viable option. Professional indemnity insurance is recommended.