How to Become a Counsellor Counsellor with Chrysalis Courses
Thinking about a career in counselling but not sure where to start? You're not alone. Every year thousands of people make the decision to retrain as a counsellor, many of them career changers looking for more meaningful work.
Whether you're coming from teaching, nursing, HR, social work or something completely different, becoming a counsellor is achievable regardless of your background. You don't need a degree or any prior qualifications to begin training.
This guide covers everything you need to know, from what counsellors actually do day to day, to the qualifications you need, how long it takes and what you can expect to earn once qualified.
What Does A Counsellor Do?
Counsellors provide a safe, confidential space for people to talk through their problems and feelings. Unlike giving advice, counselling is about helping clients explore their own thoughts and emotions so they can better understand themselves and make positive changes.
As a qualified counsellor your day-to-day work might include:
Conducting one-to-one therapy sessions with clients
Working with couples, families or groups
Assessing new clients and agreeing treatment plans
Keeping confidential session notes and records
Attending regular clinical supervision
Continuing your professional development
Counsellors work in a wide range of settings. Some build private practices and set their own hours. Others work within the NHS, schools, charities, employee assistance programmes or addiction services.
One of the most common reasons people choose counselling as a career is the flexibility it offers. Many counsellors work part-time or build a practice around other commitments, making it particularly appealing for career changers.
What Skills and Qualities Do You Need?
You don't need to have all the answers to be a good counsellor. In fact some of the most important qualities can't be taught in a classroom.
Successful counsellors typically share these traits:
- Empathy — the ability to understand and share another person's feelings without judgement
- Active listening — really hearing what someone is saying rather than just waiting to respond
- Patience — progress in therapy takes time and every client moves at their own pace
- Self-awareness — understanding your own emotions and how they might affect your work with clients
- Resilience — the work can be emotionally demanding and you need to be able to look after yourself too
- Genuine interest in people — a real curiosity about what makes people tick
If you're someone that friends and family naturally turn to for support, or if you've been through your own challenges and want to use that experience to help others, counselling could be a natural fit.
Many of our students come to Chrysalis with no formal experience in therapy but with a strong desire to make a difference.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Counsellor?
In the UK there is no single protected route into counselling, but to practise professionally and gain membership of a recognised professional body you need to complete accredited training.
The standard qualification pathway is:
Level 3 — Introduction to Counselling Skills
This is your starting point. You'll learn the fundamental skills of counselling, including active listening, empathy and core counselling theory. No prior qualifications or experience needed. This is where most people begin their journey.
Level 4 — Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory
This builds on your Level 3 and goes deeper into counselling theory, models and approaches. You'll start to develop your own therapeutic style and understanding of how to work with clients.
Level 5 — Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice
This is the qualification that allows you to practise as a professional counsellor. It includes a supervised clinical placement where you work with real clients under supervision. On completion you are eligible for professional body membership.
You can also continue to Level 6 and beyond if you want to specialise in areas like working with children and young people, or counselling research.
The entire pathway from complete beginner to qualified practitioner typically takes 3 to 4 years studying part-time, which is how most people train alongside existing work or family commitments.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Counsellor?
Most people train part-time alongside other commitments. A typical timeline looks like:
Level 3 Certificate – 11 classes over approximately 6 months.
OR
Level 3 Diploma – 10 classes over 12 months.
Level 4 Diploma – 10 classes over 12 months.
Level 5 Professional Diploma – 12 class over 14 months, including 100 hours of supervised practical placement.
Total time from beginner to qualified: 3 years to 4 years part-time depending on the route you take.
At Chrysalis our courses are designed to fit around your life, with part-time, weekend class available at venues across the UK
Some students move through more quickly, others take longer, there is no single right pace. At Chrysalis our courses are designed to fit around your life, with weekend and weekday options available at venues across the UK.
How Much Do Counsellors Earn?
Counsellor earnings vary significantly depending on where you work, your specialism and whether you are employed or self-employed.
As a guide:
- NHS counsellors typically earn between £32,073 and £56,515 per year depending on band and experience (Source: NHS employers)
- Private practice counsellors set their own fees. Session rates typically range from £40 to £80 per hour depending on location, with London rates often higher
- Charity sector counsellors typically earn between £22,000 and £35,000 (Source: Access Pathways)
- School counsellors typically earn on average £33,162 (Source: Indeed)
Many counsellors combine employed work with private practice to build an income that works for them. The flexibility of the profession means you can scale your practice up or down to fit your lifestyle.
Professional Bodies and Registration
Counselling is not currently a legally regulated profession in the UK, which means anyone can technically call themselves a counsellor. However, in practice, employers, clients and insurance providers expect you to be a member of a recognised professional body.
The main professional bodies for counsellors in the UK include:
- The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Completing an accredited training programme like those offered by Chrysalis entitles you to full professional membership of the NCPS, which includes listing on their public therapist directory, professional insurance options and ongoing CPD support.
Learn more about our accreditation.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Getting started is simpler than you might think:
1. Request a free prospectus to explore your options
2. Apply online, no prior qualifications needed for our Level 3 course
3. Attend a short informal interview
4. Begin your training
Our enrolments team is available to talk through your options and help you find the right starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Counsellor
Q: Do I need a degree to become a counsellor?
A: No. You can begin counselling training with no prior qualifications. Our Level 3 Certificate is designed for complete beginners from any background. While some university routes do require a degree, the professional diploma pathway through Chrysalis does not.
Q: Am I too old to retrain as a counsellor?
A: Absolutely not. Many of our students are in their 40s, 50s and beyond. Life experience is genuinely valued in counselling and often makes you a more effective therapist. There is no upper age limit.
Q: Can I train while working full-time?
A: Yes. Our courses are designed for people with existing commitments. Classes typically run one weekend per month so you can study alongside work, family and other responsibilities.
Q: How much does counselling training cost?
A: Costs vary by course level. We offer flexible payment plans to spread the cost. Request a prospectus for full fee details or speak to our enrolments team.
Q: What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
A: While there is significant overlap, counselling tends to focus on specific issues over a shorter period, while psychotherapy often explores deeper patterns over a longer timeframe. Our Level 5 Professional Diploma qualifies you in psychotherapeutic counselling which combines both approaches.
Q: Will I need to have my own therapy?
A: Personal therapy is strongly recommended during training, however this is not a requirement. Many students find it valuable for their own development and understanding of the therapeutic process.