Congratulations on your qualification! Counselling training is tough. From the academic demands to the financial pressures of studying or perhaps you’ve been juggling a family or a job alongside your studies. However it was for you, now it’s time to take a moment and reflect on your next steps.
Take a break
It’s perfectly natural that you would want a break from all the pressure you’ve been under. All training tends to get more stressful towards the end of courses with assessments and assignment deadlines. Maybe it’s time for some self care. Whether that’s sitting in your own garden or jetting off to sip cocktails under a beach umbrella.
Stay with your placement
A lot of organisations rely on trainee counsellors to provide free / low cost services for clients in need. Whilst you decide what your next step is, some people choose to stay on with their placement allowing them to continue working with clients, building their hours and keeping their hand in. If you choose to do this, remember to have suitable supervision arrangements in place and check with your insurance provider that you continue to have appropriate coverage.
Look for employment
Paid employment can be tough to find for counselling / therapy positions. Many employers look for potential applicants that are accredited which can rule out the newly qualified. If you know where you’d like to work it might be worthwhile trying to get in touch with them, or connect with other therapists / counsellors who already work in that sector. Find out what employers are looking for and how to get yourself noticed.
Membership Bodies
Counselling and Therapy in the UK is largely unregulated. Anyone can set themselves up in business and call themselves a therapist / counsellor. However, there are a number of membership bodies who only admit qualified members and membership to one of these organisations demonstrates to the public your commitment to professional standards. An important point here is that a membership body is not a governing body and as such there is no requirement for you to join but all members are bound to adhere to the ethics and codes of practice as well as membership terms (generally there are rules around supervision and annual CPD hours).
Go Into Private Practice
This is probably the most common option for newly qualified counsellors. Whether you want to see only one or two clients a week, or if you’re intending to set up full time in private practice there’s lots to think about. My top tip would be to find yourself a good supervisor. Someone who understands your vision and ambition and is willing to support you. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask questions, the right supervisor is essential to your success.
If this is the path for you, check out our Business of Counselling workshop. This is a one stop workshop that covers everything you need to know to put your new qualification to work. From business structure, legal and ethical requirements, paperwork and handling enquiries. You’ll leave the workshop feeling empowered and confident to get to work.