Training to become a counsellor

09/30/2020

Training to become a counsellor

Counsellors play a significant role in the lives of their clients. It is a rewarding career, but it is not easy as well. Proper training and education will help the counsellor provide quality services to the client.

Becoming a counsellor

Here are 3-steps that will help you start your journey as a counsellor:

Step 1: Take an introductory course

Take an introductory course about counselling. An introductory course will give you an overview of the training that will be involved as well as the necessary counselling skills you need to develop. With this, you can decide whether counselling is the career you would like to pursue and if you are ready to commit to it.

Deciding to take an introductory course and not pursue a counselling career later on, is still helpful as this course will help you develop skills that can be applied to your daily life as well as relationships. This introductory course can last up to 12 weeks.

Step 2: Get a certificate in counselling skills

After deciding that you desire to take a career path in counselling, the next step is to get a certification in counselling skills. This course is a more in-depth study of theories, techniques and principles of counselling and provides a solid foundation that can be applied during the training process. It is an excellent avenue for you to enhance your counselling skills that can be used in this field.

Universities and colleges usually offer certifications. Online learning providers also provide certificates upon course completion. Taking an online course rather than attending a university has benefits and you may read it here.

Entry requirements for this course may vary. Getting a certification may be done on a part-time basis and may last for a year.

Step 3: Undergo a core practitioner training

The core practitioner training is an in-depth training programme that meets the internationally recognized quality and competence standards. The programme provides trainings in reflective and ethical practice.

This core practitioner training must also be at the minimum level of a diploma in counselling or psychotherapy.

The training includes knowledge-based learning such as theories and their application, ethics and the law, philosophy and human development. It also covers therapeutic competencies such as relationship building, communications, monitoring and evaluation, strategies and interventions and self-awareness. Lastly, it encompasses research awareness such as methodology, application and accurate research findings.

The course must include supervised placements so that skills can be practice with clients. Practicing it with clients while being supervised by an instructor or mentor is a great way to put all the learned theories into practice. The mentor can also give valuable inputs and evaluation to the student for a more meaningful learning xperience. Aside from theories, experiencing working as a counsellor will allow students to fully explore the world of counselors.

Typically, the minimum hours of training are 100 hours, though; some training providers require higher number of hours. The training cost also depends on whether it is full-time or part-time and the level qualification it provides.

After the completion of training, others go to higher studies on a part-time basis. Some start to work in facilities, private companies or work on a freelance basis while others decided to work and study simultaneously.

Conclusion

Being qualified to work as a counsellor is more accessible and more manageable now, especially there are online providers like BIRA. BIRA offers students an opportunity to consolidate learned knowledge and skills through assessments and case studies so that upon course completion, learners can put theory into practice. BIRA’s courses benefit both novice and qualified counsellors because the areas covered offer professional counsellors with additional tools while in the comfort of their homes, at their own pace and affordable prices.

Ready to start your journey towards becoming a counsellor? Learn and grow with us! Check our courses here.

We are also offering a FREE introduction to counselling course. Check it out and avail a 25% discount on other courses upon the completion of this free course.

Where do counsellors work?

09/29/2020

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Where do counsellors work?

Counselling happens between a client and a counsellor at a specified time. During this time, the client has the opportunity to talk deeply about his emotions and experiences while the counsellor shows empathy, provides an unbiased and safe environment, and actively listens to the client. The counsellor may also teach the client several techniques that may help regulate emotions and cope with stressful situations. Counselling also involves several approaches and a counsellor may integrate two approaches to help the client effectively.

Trust is the foundation of counselling. Counsellors know the value of the client’s confidential information and not unless the law requires the counsellor to disclose it to the client’s close family members, the counsellor shall not disclose it with anyone.

Now let’s take a look at the working hours and the workplaces of a counsellor.

Working hours of a counsellor

Counsellors’ working hours vary depending on their workloads and workplace. Some counsellors work full time while others do it on a part-time basis..

If the counsellor has no sessions with a client, they do administration work. They conduct research to learn more about how they can fully help their clients and write notes about their previous sessions. If a counsellor can work from home, they set their sessions based on the standard working hours while others work in the evening if that is their clients’ availability.

Workplace of a counsellor

Workplace of counsellors is not limited to one setting only. They can work in various settings like centers, hospitals, facilities, clinics, prisons, schools, businesses and homes.

They can work for a large organization or be fixed in a specific location. They can also move to different places to meet their clients. The only requirement for them to conduct their counselling sessions is a private place where they can discuss with their clients without any disturbances and interruptions.

1. Hospitals and clinics

Counselling professionals with a degree in counselling can work in hospitals. They may provide services to families who experience loss of a loved one, patients who might have trauma and stress disorders because of an illness, accidents or other past experiences. They can also assist patients with psychological and behavioural problems.

Counsellors in hospitals and clinics work with physicians, other mental health professions, psychiatric nurses and psychologists. They may conduct diagnostics, mental health assessments and referrals for further treatment of the patients.

2. Centers

Centers can be detoxification centers that specialized in giving treatments to clients with drug or alcohol problems. Counsellors help clients attain recovery from substance abuse. They can work in inpatient facilities wherein they care for patients who need 24-hour care while others work in outpatient facilities. Counsellors who work in outpatient facilities only assist patients during the day.

Counsellors help their clients in identifying behaviours and problems related to their addiction. Counsellors may also conduct programs to assist the client in establishing effective coping strategies.

3. Facilities

Facilities can be mental health facilities or residential care facilitates. Counsellors may conduct individual counselling sessions or group therapy. A counsellor with a master’s degree can be employed as a social worker, mental health counsellor. At the same time, those with doctorate are qualified to work as a coordinator or director of the agency. They may also work with therapists, physicians and social workers.

Residential care facilities, on the other hand, give services to those who need continuous supervision. They live temporarily in the facility until they can return to their family, community or workplace. Residential care facilities cater to troubled youths, children with autism or people with mental and physical disabilities. Counsellors in this setting provide vocational and personal counselling and management support.

Substance abuse and addiction counsellors may also work in facilities while other counsellors cater to the elderly population in facilities. Elders are placed in care facilities if their families cannot provide the treatments and assistance they need. Counsellors who deal with the elderly are called geriatric counsellors and they provide long-term or short-term services.

Counsellors who work in correctional facilities or prisons help clients achieve rehabilitation by preparing programs for them. They also provide support to their clients as they transition back to the community after being released. Rehabilitation counsellors can also assist during trials and give referrals.

4. Schools

Counsellors play an essential role in helping students achieve their goals, discover their potentials and maintain a balanced personal and study life. They give several guidance services throughout the school year.

Additionally, counsellors may also guide graduating high school students in choosing their colleges or universities and support them in knowing the career path that will fit them most. Various teenage problems such as peer pressure and self-worth may also be encountered by the students and the counsellor may provide help for them.

Counsellors in colleges and universities may also teach undergraduate students provided they have enough educational background. They help in internship programs, admission requirements and career programs such as job hunting skills,interview techniques and resume writing.

Counsellors may also help in the curriculum and program planning, conduct research and even write books.

Counsellors can also work with teachers, school administrators and parents to help students who are experiencing stress, family-problems, time management and other personal issues that may interfere with their studies. They can also suggest strategies and techniques that will help the students achieve success.

5. Businesses and companies

Some counsellors work in companies and help employees who are experiencing stress, emotional issues and other problems. They may also help in employment and career transition challenges.

6. Home or private practice

Others have chosen to offer services from their home. They may conduct online sessions depending on the availability of the client. Others also rent or buy their own office spaces to practice privately. They have more flexibility since they can choose their location and work schedule.

The opportunities for counsellors are vast. They can choose their specialization and select their desired workplace. Counsellors are a vital part of the community and they can be part of different sectors. People need guidance and support wherever they are and having counsellors in their areas will surely help them.

If you are interested to know how much counsellors in the US and UK earn, click the article here. You can also check out the counselling courses offered here and start your career as a counsellor!

We are also offering a FREE introduction to counselling course. Check it out and avail a 25% discount on other courses upon the completion of this free course.

How much do counsellors earn in U.K. and U.S.?

09/24/2020

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How much do counsellors earn in U.K. and U.S.?

As mental health awareness increases nowadays, people start to turn to counsellors to help them with their mental and emotional problems. Starting a career as a counsellor is good timing as counselling gains more recognition and becomes more available to different community sectors.

Counsellor and counselling

Counselling is also known as “talking therapy.” Some exercises may include visualization and memory-focused processes to help the client explore feelings and memories deeply during a session. A counsellor may use several approaches but the goal is the same: for the client to recognize his potential and live fully even amidst challenges.

Counsellors may also meet with their clients individually or as a couple or family. Counsellors help people identify their problems, reflect on their experiences, and find alternative ways to help them deal with their situation. They help them lessen their confusion, find ways to cope with their challenges or change behaviours that will be beneficial for them.

Counsellors give time to listen to their clients, ask questions to clarify thought processes and show empathy and respect to their clients. They show no judgment and provide a healthy space for clients to talk about their lives freely. Making them feel relax and safe during the sessions can help build trust and respect. Respect and trust are the foundations of a good and professional counsellor-client relationship.

Issues about illness, loss of a loved one, relationship difficulties, uncertainties or general anxiety can be covered during a counselling session. Counsellors allow clients to explore on their own in a constructive way and guide them until they make their own choices. Beliefs and values can also be challenged so that clients may gain a new perspective.

Counsellors record confidential information about their clients to help them effectively. Sensitive information may only be disclosed to close family members if the client is in danger. Counsellors possess good organizational, administrative and listening skills. Moreover, the ability to work under pressure and remain calm are key skills they must have.

So if you are considering pursuing a career as a counsellor, you might be wondering how much does a counsellor earn?

Earnings of counsellors in U.K.

Starting salary may vary with location, education, experience, employer and specialization. The table below shows the range of annual salaries based on experience and the hourly rate of private practitioners:

Of course, counsellors with more experience, higher educational attainment, and specializations will earn more than those who are just starting in their careers. Others also do voluntary work that will let them gain more experience to help work their way up the career ladder.

Earnings of counsellors in U.S.

In comparison, salary of counsellors from the U.S. also vary depending on the location, employer, education and specialization.

Based on their specializations, annual salaries of American counsellors are the following:

The table below shows the annual salary range based on experience and the hourly rate of private practitioners:

Counsellors who work at local or government agencies receive the highest payment, followed by those working in the hospitals and care facilities.

U.K. and U.S counsellors comparison of earnings

Comparing the salaries received by the counsellors from U.S. and U.K.:

It is important to note that this is just the range of salaries and various factors may help increase or decrease the payment they are receiving.

Conclusion

Working as a counsellor has several opportunities and salaries vary depending on the field of expertise, educational attainment and the work location. Regardless, working as a counsellor is rewarding as it helps people live a better life.

If you want to start taking counselling courses now, you may check these courses offered by Bira International Institute.

We are also offering a FREE introduction to counselling course. Check it out and avail a 25% discount on other courses upon the completion of this free course.

Counselling Approaches

09/21/2020

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Professional counsellors use several approaches and different theories and philosophies set the groundwork for these approaches. Some counsellors may apply one approach, while others may combine approaches depending on the client’s needs.

COUNSELLING APPROACHES

Behavioural therapy

Behavioural theory is based on the belief that a person’s behaviour is influenced by past experiences. Since behaviour is learned, it is also possible to unlearn, modify or replace it. Therapists and counsellors may help a client by suggesting ways to effectively manage unwanted behaviours when triggered by stressful events.

2. Cognitive therapy

Thoughts and previous experiences influence a person’s behaviour. The client’s behaviour can be altered by recognizing, challenging and changing self-derogating thoughts. It is an interactive approach that focuses on the present rather than previous experiences and aims to solve problems. This approach has been applied to cases of depression, anxiety, panic and substance abuse.

3. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

It is a combination of cognitive and behavioural therapy. This stems from the belief that our response to external stimuli results from learned or conditioned behaviour.

This approach is done by examining how feelings and behaviours are affected by a person’s thoughts. Negative thoughts that come to mind automatically are dealt with by replacing it with more objective and rational thoughts. For example, continuous thoughts about accidents may cause a person to stir away from activities he believes would cause him accidents. To eliminate this kind of behaviour, self-defeating beliefs are changed. The client must recognize that though several things around us are uncontrollable, we have the power to control our responses and interpretation in a given situation. They must learn to discriminate between reality and their distorted thoughts.

This approach is mainly used for people with anger issues, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Relaxation techniques, journaling and exposure are also used as tools.

4. Existential

A philosophical approach of psychotherapy that aims to understand the purpose of a person’s life and his whole condition- a balance between acknowledging limitations and applauding capabilities.

This approach aims to explore and analyse a person’s dilemma. The client, viewed as an ever-changing person, examines his potentials and learns how to make logical choices to attain goals. The client must experience an encounter with self, ideals and values as he embarks on a search for meaning and entirely takes ownership of his life.

Moreover, the person recognizes his limits and realizes that anxiety is a natural feature of human life. Some things are inevitable and acceptance is essential to live authentically.

Unlike other approaches and theories that focus on past experiences, this approach focuses on the present. The counsellor also acts as an active participant during the session to connect with the client personally.

5. Person-centered

A client freely leads the discussion to express emotions and understand feelings in a person-centered approach. This approach stems from the belief that humans have the resources to enable them to face whatever trials they may encounter and reach their full potential. With this, the person has the capability to find the most appropriate solution to an issue encountered. In this process, the person experiences self-discovery.

On the other hand, the counsellor only facilitates, listens, and validates the client’s experiences and feelings. Empathy is the core of person-centered therapy and many other approaches. One of the challenges the client may experience during the session is when he cannot recognize his abilities because he owns the opinions of others towards him. He may fail to realize his innate abilities because of this. However, when he receives empathy and value from the counsellor during this process, he may start to learn his real self.

6. Psychodynamic

This well-known approach is based on Freud’s idea that a person’s problems may be comprehended by understanding the conscious, subconscious and unconscious areas of a person’s mind.

Previous experiences and beliefs play a significant role in current behaviour; therefore, the therapist and client explore the client’s significant childhood relationships. In this way, they may gain insight how recurring patterns have developed over time and may take steps to change it. Repeated patterns might have been used as defense mechanisms to evade unpleasant situations.

This approach aims to gain insight from the past and provides a straightforward solution to the problem.

7. Reality therapy

This approach arises from the belief that human issues arise from unmet needs such as love and belongingness, freedom, enjoyment, basic survival needs and power.

This approach helps the client determine what they want and assess if those are attainable by examining their behaviour, setting out clear criteria and creating positive plans. It also emphasizes that instead of focusing on others’ behaviours, one must focus on one’s behaviours, which they are capable of managing. The client must realize that he has the power to choose whether to react responsibly or not in a given situation.

Since this approach emphasizes present experiences, blaming past experiences or other people as an excuse to behaviour is avoided.

8. Transactional analysis (TA)

It is laid from Sigmund Freud’s theories of personality belief that several roles play in a person. The role can be a ‘child,’ ‘adult’ and ‘parent’ self that interacts with one another.

The role of the parent is to record external events from birth to approximately five years of life. These external events are not recognized by the child and are associated with another person, such as parents. The parent role may also appear to be critical or supportive. On the other hand, the child perceives the emotions linked with the external events while the adult has the capacity to understand scenarios different from a parent and child roles. The adult role is the most rational as it acts on the present and is not influenced by the past.

These roles affect the way we live and how we interact with others. A specific role can dominate the rest and distort our perspective, so the client must learn to recognize each role. The main goal of transactional analysis is to reinforce the role of the adult.

Conclusion

Several approaches are used nowadays but we have to remember that no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to counselling. Professionals must identify what suits their clients the most. One approach may be advisable to one but not with the other person. In the end, the goal is to achieve healing and freedom so that we can live to the fullest.

We are also offering a FREE introduction to counselling course. Check it out and avail a 25% discount on other courses upon the completion of this free course.

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