Any counsellors out there?

[summerly]

I have already posted in the studying thread so I apologise for doubling up, but I thought I might get more information this way.

A friend of mine would like to study counselling in the hope of eventually running her own business or working in the counselling field on a part time basis.

Is anyone able to help us by telling us the best way to get there? What you would recommend to study and which institution is the best for counselling courses. We are currently looking up distance education courses because she is living in the country.

any help would be appreciated, thanks!:)

[giblet]

technically anyone can call themselves a counsellor with no training, experience...hey there is no registration so put a sign on your door and away you go. Otherwise i suggest you study psychology which is 6 years of study or else look into doing drug and alcohol counselling which i think is through tafe. D&A counselling is easy to get into and not much study...and not much pay. Counselling courses are a take and get you no where

[zenifa]

Yes it is true that almost anyone, from a short course to a full degree can technically put out a shingle on their door and call themselves a counsellor - but this can pose its own issues.
Check out some of these professional organisations, which may assist your friend in finding the right course for her.

Most commonly, counsellors are professionals with qualifications in either social work, psychology or counselling. As well as doing a course, a person is required to do field placements (practical) to gain experience and supervision by a qualified practitioner.
Often its also worth working in either community or government organisations to gain experience before opening up your own private practice plus it expands your networks which will help with referrals.
You can do university degrees, via open learning, or externally so being rural is not a barrier and also there are networks for rural practitioners that provide post-grad training and supervision and support.


Its worth checking out the requirements for registration, professional indemnity insurance etc.

www.aasw.asn.net.au
www.psychology.org.au/
www.theaca.net.au/

Good luck!

[kylza]

:D Aren't we all counsellors on here.:laughing:

[summerly]

Thanks everyone, :) and I agree, we are all counsellors of some sort anyway, especially being mums, but I do think my friend is well suited to helping others.

[zenifa]

:D Aren't we all counsellors on here.:laughing:

Many like to think they are......;) but sadly there is a difference between being a good listener and giving good advice (they don't always coincide) :rolleyes:

I think we all have something to offer each other, but its still very different to what an appropriately trained professional can do.