How to Become a Counselling Psychologist?

Interested in becoming a therapist, but not sure if being a counselling psychologist is the right choice for you?

What is a Counselling Psychologist?

Counselling psychologists are talk therapists who integrate psychological theories with psychotherapeutic techniques.

Their goal is to help clients overcome and deal with problematic life events and mental health issues. This means helping to explore feelings and problems, in the hope that such things become easier to understand and navigate.

Counselling psychologists can also be involved in risk assessment and psychometric testing. They can also research and help formulate new explanations for psychological problems, and are a key part of multidisciplinary team work in supervising and training other mental health professionals.

(Note that we are not talking here about clinical psychologists. Read our article  Counselling Psychologist vs a Clinical Psychologist  if you are confused).

What issues do counselling psychologists work with?

They work with a broad range of mental health and life problems including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, learning differences, bereavement, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Where do Counselling Psychologists work?

One of the benefits of becoming a counselling psychologist is the variety of settings you can work in.

Although almost half of all counselling psychologists are employed in clinical roles such as health and social care. Many can also be found in industry, education and academic bodies.

They can also practice privately and act as consultants to other agencies and organisations.

In summary, there is a huge demand for qualified counselling psychologists. Listed below is a range of potential employers:

• NHS/health services
• private industry and commerce
• schools/education/universities
• prison and probationary services
• social services
• voluntary organisations
• student counselling services.

What skills/personal qualities do you need to be a counselling psychologist?

You would need to have a Masters degree in counselling psychology at a minimum. And also you’d need to have the interpersonal skills required to build trusting relationships with clients.

Appropriate personal qualities include being empathic, accepting, and able to not let your own personal beliefs and attitudes lead to judging the people you are ultimately trying to help.

How I can become a counselling psychologist?

Given this information, there is a clear path to becoming a counselling psychologist. To become a chartered member of the society (BPS) through the counselling psychology training route you will need the following qualifications:

1. Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC, formerly known as GBR). This can be achieved by completing a society accredited degree or conversion course. The British Psychological Society has a full list of all accredited undergraduate and conversion courses in the UK and can provide you with all the information you need to get started.
2. Society accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or the society’s qualification in counselling psychology. In order to use the title counselling psychologist, you will need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HPC). This will involve completing a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology that has been approved by HCPC.

Further advice

Often another entry requirement for the counselling psychology course is relevant experience in a helping or counselling related field, such as befriending or telephone counselling.

You may find that some of these opportunities can be offered in your local area. This could look like undertaking some voluntary work with a local organisation for a few hours a week.

These experiences will not only enhance your resume (CV) but will also give you an idea of some of the skills you will eventually need as a counselling psychologist.

Further, some programs may ask for a basic counselling skills course for which the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has more detail on where to find these courses and what is involved.

Are you looking to hire?

Harley Therapy accepts applications from Chartered counselling psychologists to work from its therapy rooms in Harley Street and in the City of London. To apply, you must be accredited with the BPS, BABCP or UKCP.

Unfortunately Harley Therapy does not offer counselling placements. However, do read our guide on Finding a Counselling Training Placement. Thank you.