Counselling Courses

About Counselling

Counselling is a growing profession and a vital part of overall healthcare, as more people turn to Counselling as a way to deal with trauma, mental health issues, and other difficulties. Counselling can be a powerful tool used to improve people’s lives, and being a counsellor can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Getting training can allow you to work with patients and clients and help them unpack and deal with any issues they may be facing. Through various Counselling skills and techniques, these professionals work to create an inclusive and supportive environment to assist clients in a multitude of areas.

Careers in Counselling

What are the steps you can take to begin your career in Counselling? There are many different roles you can take on with a qualification in Counselling, including that of a careers counsellor, youth worker, rehabilitation counsellor, student support worker, psychologist, and more.

To become a counsellor in Ireland, typically you’ll need some training, such as a dedicated course or relevant degree in sociology or criminology. Looking at an in-person or online course can be a great way to begin your professional development in this area.

There are no strict entry requirements to some Counselling courses, but when looking for professional training, some providers may need you to have prior qualifications. When looking for work as a counsellor, employers will look for academic qualifications that demonstrate your ability to work effectively as a counsellor. 

Some learners may start off with a beginner’s course in Counselling, or may use a part-time short course to complement their background knowledge in a related area. Accredited or advanced courses will feature modules and course content that will give you the skills needed to begin a career in professional counselling and begin work at a professional practice or other settings. 

Anyone with knowledge of human behaviour, through an honours degree in psychology, psychotherapy courses, or other related qualifications, may be well suited to seeking out further education in Counselling and could look at postgraduate programmes aimed at helping them move into this sector.

Once you’re qualified in this area, you may offer counselling services at a private practice, in the social care sector, in clinical supervision settings, or offer services on a full-time or part-time basis in a self-employed capacity. Some counsellors are well-placed to become psychotherapists or offer other personal development services.

Counselling Skills

A career in Counselling can be an extremely rewarding and worthwhile choice. The opportunity to deliver emotional support for individuals going through a tough time is a dynamic and challenging path. 

There are many opportunities and specialisations within the Counselling industry, which means you’ll need a broad skill set if you want to succeed in this career field. Active and critical thinking skills are crucial. Having an open mind and respect for all people is important as well. Here are some other key skills you’ll need to succeed in your career as a counsellor.

• Excellent listening and empathy skills
• Self-awareness of your own attitudes and responses
• Interpersonal skills
• The ability to remain objective and unbiased
• Patience
• An understanding of confidentiality and boundaries
• A humanistic and person-centred approach to problem-solving