What is counselling?
Counselling is a cognitive talking therapy that allows clients to improve their mental health and wellbeing. The main responsibility of counsellors is to guide their clients to better deal with and overcome their behavioural and emotional issues. They assist their clients by helping them determine their strengths and capabilities so that they can cope with a range of conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Family-related stress
- Suicidal thoughts
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Work-related stress
- Bullying
- Life transition
- Trauma
- Bereavement
- Anger management
- Eating disorders
- Infertility
- Issues with sexual identity
- Relationship problems
After completing your studies in counselling will be eligible to apply for membership with these professional counselling associations in Darwin:
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Should you complete a counselling course?
Do you want to help others to help people by providing them with guidance to overcome their life problems? If this aligns with your career aspirations, then counselling is the perfect career path for you! In Darwin, some of the traits and characteristics that employers look for when hiring counsellors:
- High levels of professionalism and a strong understanding of the duty of care that you must uphold at all times with clients.
- Empathetic and supportive attitude to help foster a non-judgemental environment where clients feel comfortable in expressing their concerns.
- An attentive listener in order to get a better understanding of a client's point of view and concerns.
- Good communication skills in order to communicate the strategies that clients should take in their lives to resolve their problems.
If there is a match between your career ambitions and interpersonal skills, continue reading to gain insight into the next steps you should take in your educational and professional journeys in order to become a counsellor in Darwin.
What are the course and study options for counsellors in Darwin?
You must complete an undergraduate degree specialising in counselling such as a Bachelor of Counselling in order to work as a counsellor in Darwin. These universities offer a variety of delivery options to suit your preferred learning style. This includes on-campus or online options.
During your studies, you will learn about a wide variety of topics from professors who have extensive experience working either in the counselling field as a practitioner or researcher. This includes psychology, mental health, counselling methodologies, relationships and ethics. You will also be required to complete a clinical placement internship. This will allow you to work with a professionally trained counsellor and put into practice everything that was learned in the classroom.
At the top of this page, you will discover some counselling courses near you in Darwin. After you shortlist the options that best suit you, you can contact the school directly about any questions regarding their accreditation, term dates and curriculum. This will help you make a well-informed decision.
What happens after you complete your counselling course in Darwin?
As a counselling graduate, it is highly recommended that you become a member of a professional counselling association. This will help build your credibility as a counsellor. You also have many different options when it comes to the places you can work, which include:
- Educational facilities
- Mental health facilities
- Hospitals
- Crisis phone lines
- Aged care centres
- Community health centres
- Rehabilitation centres
Some counsellors after a couple of years of practice decide to start their own private practice where they continue to provide counselling services. Self-employment is a rewarding career path as it allows for a greater degree of autonomy of their business management. If this is something that you decide to pursue in the future, Natural Therapy Pages can provide you with valuable assistance in helping you grow your business by driving traffic and awareness. This is achieved by listing either your in-person counselling services or online sessions on the relevant practitioner listing page.
If you are looking to further your studies, it is highly recommended that you complete a Master of Counselling. This will allow you to improve your employability and open you up to new career opportunities in research or teaching.
