How do you become a counsellor?

Published on 09 Jan 2025

5 estimated read time

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where someone is pouring their heart out, and you feel like you just know exactly what to say to help them? If this sounds familiar, maybe you’ve considered a career in counselling. It's a profession that requires deep empathy, a genuine desire to help others, and a strong set of professional skills. But how do you become a counsellor?

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about becoming a counsellor, including the skills, qualifications, and experience you’ll need, plus a few insights into why enrolling in a solid counselling programme may be right for you.

What does a counsellor do?

The role of a counsellor is to help people navigate through personal, emotional, and psychological challenges. Whether it’s dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, or trauma, counsellors work with individuals or groups to help them better understand their feelings, gain new perspectives, and work toward solutions.

Counsellors are highly trained to provide a safe, confidential environment where clients can freely express their emotions and explore difficult situations. It’s a deeply rewarding job, but it’s also one that requires a lot of training, empathy, and patience.

How do you become a counsellor?

Step 1: Understand the role and responsibilities

Counselling can take many forms, from individual therapy to family or relationship counselling, to even supporting clients through grief and trauma recovery. Counsellors typically use a variety of techniques, such as active listening, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and person-centred approaches, to help clients address their concerns.

It’s not just about giving advice—it’s about providing support, offering guidance, and helping people find the strength within themselves to overcome their challenges. This is why having the right training through a counselling programme is so crucial.

Step 2: Get the right education

Most counselling careers require formal training, typically in the form of a degree, diploma, or certification from an accredited institution. There are a variety of counselling programmes available, depending on the specific type of counselling you want to pursue.

A foundation or diploma in counselling is often the first step toward qualification. These programmes will give you an introduction to the theories, techniques, and ethical considerations you’ll need to be a successful counsellor. But if you want to take your career to the next level, you may want to consider a degree in counselling.

UEL’s BSc (Hons) Counselling programme is designed to give you the tools and resources you need to build a solid foundation in the field, preparing you for real-world scenarios. This kind of education helps ensure that you’re ready for the diverse range of situations you’ll face as a counsellor.

Step 3: Develop key skills

Active Listening. Listening is at the core of being a counsellor. It’s not just about hearing words—it’s about understanding emotions, body language, and the unspoken feelings behind the conversation. Developing strong listening skills will help you connect with your clients and allow them to open up in a meaningful way.
Empathy. A great counsellor must be empathetic, meaning they should be able to put themselves in the client’s shoes without judgment. Empathy is essential in creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their feelings freely.
Communication skills. While listening is crucial, it’s equally important to express yourself clearly and concisely. Your ability to communicate in an honest and compassionate way is a key skill in building trust with your clients.
Problem-solving. Counsellors don’t provide all the answers, but they do help clients explore options and find their own solutions. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are necessary to guide clients through difficult situations.
Emotional resilience. Working with people who are experiencing emotional pain can be taxing, which is why emotional resilience is an important skill for counsellors. Learning how to manage your own emotions while supporting clients is key to preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy balance.

Step 4: Gain practical experience

One of the most valuable parts of a counselling programme is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Theoretical knowledge is essential, but practical experience is what truly prepares you to become a counsellor. Many counselling courses, including those at UEL, offer placements where students can work directly with clients in real-life settings, such as mental health clinics, schools, or community centres.

Step 5: Choose a specialisation

As you gain experience in your counselling programme, you may find that you’re drawn to a specific area of counselling. Whether it’s working with children, helping those dealing with addiction, or supporting people through grief, there are many specialisations within the field.

When you study at a place like UEL, you’ll have the chance to explore various areas of counselling through internships and special interest modules. Choosing a specialisation will not only help you focus your studies but also make you more attractive to employers who are looking for professionals with specific expertise.

Step 6: Professional accreditation

Being accredited demonstrates that you have met high professional standards and can be trusted to provide ethical and effective services. Many employers require professional accreditation, so it's an important part of establishing your career.

While this isn’t always a requirement to practice, becoming a member of a professional body like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is an important step in building credibility as a counsellor.

Why study at UEL?

If you’re looking for a counselling programme that combines in-depth academic knowledge with practical experience, UEL offers a well-rounded degree that prepares students for the challenges of being a counsellor. The course focuses on both theoretical learning and hands-on practice, helping you build the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in the field.

UEL’s counselling course is designed to give students access to volunteering, placements, internships, and a supportive academic environment. The university also offers a diverse and inclusive community that can help you build connections with people from all walks of life, essential for any aspiring counsellor.