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Counselling Psychology

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What do Counselling psychologists do? How do I become a Counselling psychologist? What is relevant experience and how do I get it? How much will I get paid? Where are jobs advertised? What if I'm a mature student? Where do I find out more?

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What do Counselling psychologists do?

What they do
Counselling psychologists are a relatively new breed of professional applied psychologists concerned with the integration of psychological theory and research with therapeutic practice. The practice of Counselling Psychology requires a high level of self-awareness and competence in relating the skills and knowledge of personal and interpersonal dynamics to the therapeutic context.

Key tasks include:

• Assessment, including assessment of mental health needs, risk assessment and psychometric testing.
• Formulation; i.e. a psychological explanation of the genesis and maintenance of the psychological problem
• Planning and implementation of therapy
• Report writing and record keeping
• Evaluation of the outcome of therapy
• Supervision and training of other psychologists
• Multidisciplinary team work and team facilitation
• Service and organisational development
• Audit and evaluation
• Research and development
• Management of services

Where they work
Counselling psychologists work almost anywhere there are people. For instance counselling psychologists are currently employed in industry, commerce, the prison service and in all layers of education from primary school to university. About half of all counselling psychologists are employed to do clinical work in health and social care settings. Other career paths can be found in teaching and research for academic bodies. Counselling psychologists can also practice privately as organisational consultants.

Who they work with
Counselling psychologists may work directly with individuals, couples, families and groups, or act as consultants.

How do I become a Counselling psychologist?

• First you need a qualification in psychology giving the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR).
• Two routes to train:
  • Take an accredited course to fulfil the Qualification in Counselling Psychology.
  • Take the independent route to training: building up your own plan of training with the help of a co-coordinator of training to fulfil the requirements of the Qualification in Counselling psychology. More information and the regulations for the Qualification can be found under the Society Qualifications section of the website.
    
• No funding available: contact the courses to find out what possible sources of funding are available.
• 3 years full time, or equivalent part time.
• Apply direct to the courses.
• The accredited courses are listed on this website. Search the up to date list of accredited courses

What is relevant experience and how do I get it?

It is often an entry requirement of the Counselling psychology courses to have completed a basic counselling skills course. For more information on where to find counselling skills courses, please contact the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

How much will I get paid?

In the NHS, pay scales for Applied Psychologists in Health and Social Care have been agreed nationally by the Department of Health in negotiation with the BPS/Amicus Joint Professional Liaison Committee. A fully qualified counselling psychologist will earn from £26,000 p.a. and the salary scale for senior consultant psychologists extends up to just under £70,000. Most NHS psychologists earn between £30,000 and £50,000. The same is true for the Prison Service, where the Home Office has nationally agreed pay scales. Psychologists working in private practice or in commerce and industry should expect to be remunerated at a comparable level to those employed in the public sector.

Where are jobs advertised?

There are good career prospects in the NHS and the Prison Service. There is a high level of demand throughout society for qualified counselling psychologists who can offer psychological therapies. The following shows the range of potential employers:

• NHS services
• Prison and Probationary Services
• Social Services
• Voluntary Organisations
• Employee Assistance Programmes
• Occupational Health Departments and Services
• Student Counselling Services

Assistant psychologist posts and qualified positions at all levels are advertised:

• In Psychologist Appointments, which is part of The Psychologist, the Society's monthly publication.
• In the National Press, e.g. The Times, The Guardian, The Independent
• In specialist publications such as Health Service Journal, DoH website .

What if I'm a mature student?

• Mature students often ask us if their age will prevent them from succeeding in a psychology career. You can find out more here.

Where do I find out more?

• Courses: Contact courses direct for more information about content, entry requirements, application procedure etc…
• DCoP: the Division of Counselling Psychology of the BPS. Access to publications, conferences, and special interest groups and chat rooms with membership.
• BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
• Contact us: request form for further specific information.