What is counselling?
Counselling is a profession that allows you to listen, understand and work with others to resolve their problems. A counsellor creates a safe environment where their clients can remove their protective covering and reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings that are holding them back from their goals. People seek counselling for many reasons, including financial issues, health problems, relationship problems, unsatisfactory careers, or just to talk through some things. Counselling helps people make choices that are based on what they think is best for them rather than what anyone else thinks might be good for them.
Certified counsellors in Coffs Harbour can benefit massively from joining peak counselling organisations such as those listed below. It will get them the support they need to flourish and advance in their careers.
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Holistic Healers and Counsellors Association (AHHCA)
- International Institute For Complementary Therapists (IICT)
Should you study counselling?
Taking a counselling course allows you to develop essential skills that can help you maintain your mental health throughout your life as well as make a difference in the lives of others. The more immediate rewards include job security and a good salary. Furthermore, you can adopt the ideal qualities of a counsellor, which will improve your life in many ways. Some of these include:
- Active listening skills and willingness to take the time to understand the root cause of a client's concern so that you can help them access their personal resources to find the solution to their issues.
- Patient and empathetic towards others, knowing that if their situation hasn't caused a severe setback in their lives, they won't seek your assistance
- Open-minded and non-judgemental, while relating all their problems back to your own life experiences so that you can demonstrate just how much you understand them
- Articulate and able to effectively communicate valuable advice about how best to deal with a problem
- Curious and intuitive as both will help you uncover hidden patterns people may have
If you are passionate about helping other people live better lives, then becoming a counsellor might be the right career choice for you! Continue reading to learn about the courses available to help you become a qualified counsellor.
What are the course and study options for counselling in Coffs Harbour?
Many colleges and institutions in Coffs Harbour offer counselling courses, which are taught by highly qualified instructors. You can complete your course on campus, online, or through a blended learning system, which gives you the best of both worlds. Too busy to study full-time? You can opt for part-time study or study in the evenings or weekends―whatever suits you!
A certificate course is ideal for students who want to learn the fundamentals of counselling and experienced counsellors who want to meet their organisation's continuing education requirements. It normally takes about six months to finish.
A diploma qualification is a minimum requirement that you need to satisfy in order to practise counselling in a professional capacity. This one-year course teaches you basic counselling skills that you can use in your community.
A bachelor's degree in counselling is the most comprehensive study you can get into if you see yourself growing old in the counselling industry. Depending on your preferred mode of study, it takes three to four years to complete. Not only will you be able to handle a range of patient problems after completing this course, but you will also be able to choose which industry you would like to work in.
You can find other counselling courses at the top of the page. Feel free to contact the school of your choice to learn more about the syllabus, course fees and delivery methods of your preferred program.
What happens after you complete your counselling course in Coffs Harbour?
There are many different specialisations within the field of counselling, so completing a course that matches your interests and career goals will help you land your dream job. You can work as a social worker, a school counsellor, an addiction or substance abuse counsellor, a life coach, or even a spiritual adviser.
Many counsellors have gone on to establish their own private practice. If you choose to go down this road, know that Natural Therapy Pages will be there to support you every step of the way. On the practitioner listing pages, you can list your services and categorise which ones are available in person and online to attract more clients to your clinic.
Enrolling in additional courses related to your field of expertise is another excellent strategy to speed up your progress. Here are some relevant courses for counsellors in Coffs Harbour: