Counselling, along with psychology and social work, is one of the most in-demand jobs in Australia, according to the online job marketplace SEEK. Additionally, counselling jobs are expected to grow by 14.5% in 2025.
Registered counsellors, especially those who deal with complex issues, have an annual salary of up to $95,000. Continue reading to learn what it takes to become a qualified counsellor who can bring about long-term change in people's lives.
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a form of therapy that helps a person deal with the difficulties and distress in their life. A counsellor provides their client with a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment where they can talk about any issues that are stopping them from living their life to the fullest, including life stress, family relationship issues, child abuse, emotional issues, personal development, substance abuse and financial hardship, among other things.
Counselling can be divided into two categories:
- A social worker counsels groups or individuals who need assistance in areas of their social life. Family counselling, career counselling and marriage counselling are examples of this.
- Psychotherapists work with individuals to help them overcome mental health issues or explore the deeper regions of consciousness.
Counselling is a holistic discipline, and a certified counsellor may address issues such as insecurity, lack of self-esteem and other psychological problems. In the course of treatment, a psychotherapist may also address issues such as marital problems and behavioural patterns.
A career in counselling is ideal for anyone interested in helping others. Finding a niche that aligns with your interests, beliefs and values is as simple as finding an appropriate counselling school and obtaining the necessary credentials.
Styles of Counselling
With such a broad range of issues to address and so many different approaches to these issues, there's a wide range of counselling styles or relevant modalities available. Some of these include:
Applied Kinesiology
Ideally used in person-centred therapy, this modality allows a counsellor to tap into the energetic body's system of "knowing". A variety of techniques may be employed, including Touch for Health, Thought Field Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, and many others.
Hypnotherapy
This tool is used by counsellors to unlock the power of the subconscious mind. A counsellor may usehypnotherapy to access subconscious blocks and implant positive affirmations.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Although counsellors have active listening skills, they do not simply sit and listen in counselling sessions. The counselling profession allows practitioners to use their analytical skills in addition to soft skills such as compassion and empathy. Counsellors provide their clients with a modelling system patterned after the actions and thinking patterns of successful people in their field. NLP improves how they view their problems, ranging from depression to addiction to anger management.
Life Coaching
This counselling tool helps clients set personal and professional goals for themselves and achieve them through ongoing periodic life coaching sessions.
Psychotherapy
Counsellors who have received psychotherapy training use several techniques and tools to identify deeply-rooted destructive behaviours and help clients free themselves from the grip of these self-sabotaging behaviours. A psychotherapist deals with the full spectrum of psychological issues.
What Qualifications Must a Counsellor Have?
Completing a Diploma of Counselling is the minimum requirement for an entry-level role in the counselling industry. However, if you want to be a registered counsellor and join professional organisations like the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), which is the national peak body for counsellors and psychotherapists, you must first complete a Bachelor of Counselling or a degree in psychology or social work.
As well as an opportunity to work in a wide range of settings, a degree qualification allows you to enrol in a Graduate Diploma of Counselling or earn a master's degree later on. Undergoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will expand your portfolio and ultimately increase your client base.
Successful counsellors not only have the academic credentials but also the qualities that clients and employers value, such as empathy, honesty, open-mindedness, respect, a good sense of humour, and commitment to bring about change.
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What Career Opportunities Await Would-be Counsellors?
A plethora of rewarding careers are in store for counsellors; the sky's the limit! Depending on their chosen area of specialisation, qualified practitioners can work as:
- School counsellors
- Mental health counsellors
- Financial counsellors
- Substance abuse or alcohol counsellors
- Family therapy counsellors
- Corporate counsellors
Because the demand for mental health services is on the rise, job opportunities for professional counsellors are available in a variety of industries.
What Subjects Are Covered in a Counselling Course?
Completing a counselling course will provide you with the practical skills you will need to succeed in your career. However, some courses offer more than others. Short courses, such as a certificate program, will give you an overview of counselling principles and techniques just so you have an idea how it works.
Pursuing a diploma or bachelor's degree is an excellent option if you want to be job-ready after school. Both will teach you the methodologies and practical applications of counselling, though a degree course will be more in-depth.
A degree, as opposed to a diploma, which qualifies you for entry-level positions, provides more career opportunities because it provides a broad range of academic skills. Degree holders can practise counselling, conduct research, publish academic articles and advance up the career ladder faster than diploma or certificate holders.
A typical counselling course will cover the following topics:
- Fundamental counselling skills
- Advanced listening skills
- Human psychology
- How to facilitate group and individual counselling sessions
- Counselling techniques that are tailored to a client's specific issues
- Empathy
- Ethics in counselling
- Legal requirements for counsellors
Where Can You Study to Become a Counsellor?
The first and most important thing to look out for when deciding between different course providers in your area is the accreditation of each institution. If its curriculum isn't nationally recognised, you'll be wasting your time and hard-earned money.
What sets a qualified school apart from others that are just out to do business are the following factors:
- The course provider must be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) authorised to give training in any discipline.
- The school is recognised by a professional association. For example, the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) is a professional body that represents over 65% of Australian natural therapy practitioners. If your preferred university is recognised by the PACFA, then you're in good hands.
- If you're training for a specific modality, the course provider should be a member of a related professional association. An example of this is the Australian Hypnotherapists Association (AHA).
Make sure that the school you enrol in offers the level of training required to be eligible for membership in a related professional association. Joining the relevant organisations is just as important as completing your studies at a reputable school, as it will boost your professional profile and secure your professional insurance.
Whether you're planning to pursue a degree, diploma or certificate, you'll find a wide range of qualified schools and course providers in Australia. Here are some of them that provide extensive programs that will lead to a successful counselling career:
- Calm Mind College
- Australian School Of Holistic Counselling
- Natural Energies College
- College of Complementary Medicine
- The Awakening Group College
- Edwina Van Der Westhuizen
- Soul Embodiment Psychosomatics
- Embrace Empowerment Courses
- Healing Dimensions
To learn more about the above-mentioned institutions' curricula, delivery methods, tuition fees, and other relevant information, feel free to get in touch with them.
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