As the saying goes, life wasn’t meant to be easy, though sometimes a sympathetic ear and a little support can make the world of difference and this is exactly what being a counsellor is all about. If you want to pursue this rewarding career, explore the selection of counselling courses on offer today.
There are many different levels of Counselling courses to choose from, including:
Counsellors are experts in the art of active listening and provide their clients with the information and support that they need to make positive life decisions, which can be a particularly huge benefit to those who are dealing with personal turmoil or a crisis.
Counselling specialities range from relationship and grief counselling through to dealing with personality disorders, chronic depression and even addictions. This challenging role often involves working closely with other healthcare professionals as well, such as social workers, psychologists and medical practitioners.
In Australia, there are an estimated 20,000 counsellors currently working throughout the country, most whom are based in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The average working week is around 36.7 hours long and the average income for professional counsellors right now is $59,956 P/A.
To thrive in this difficult role, you’ll need the backing of in-depth and up-to-date credentials, particularly if you want to work with children, youth or other vulnerable peoples where legal requirements are often frequently used.
There are plenty of courses available to you, from short counselling courses online right through to multi-year psychology courses that feature a blend of in-class and online study. Each program has also been approved by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), so whether you study counselling courses in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth or online, your credentials will be widely recognised.
TAFE counselling certificates are ideal for those looking for an introduction to counselling basics and can be completed in less than 12 months. These are also perfect for students interested in expanding their current skill set or simply being a better support to family, friends and loved ones. A Certificate in Counselling, for instance is a course that is perfect in developing your skills fast and ensuring you complete your training with a taste of what the industry has to offer. It typically involves developing communication and analysis skills as well as how to build relationships and provide advice on a range of topics. Depending on the level of qualification, some certificates act as a short course and can take a matter of days to complete, while others–often at the certificate IV level– can take a year or so to complete. The great thing about these counselling courses is that they tend to be quite broad, so you can get a feel for what area interests you the most, such as grievance, relationship or child counselling, as well as life coaching.
If you’d like to work in roles such as support worker, family advisor or counsellor, you will get the skills and confidence you need via one of the many diploma programs we advertise. A typical Diploma of Counselling will usually take between 10 months to a year to complete and often includes a focused work placement, while some will even qualify you for membership in the Australian Community Counselling Association. Diploma counselling courses can be broad, or more focused on a specific area. Just about all diplomas in counselling will cover client coping strategies, theories and how to resolve issues in an effective manner while keeping your patient’s needs in interest.
Those planning on a long-term career in counselling will be well served by a bachelor level credential, as these widely respected courses cover everything from conflict resolution and developmental psychology to counselling theory, skills and practice. Keep in mind that to be accredited as a professional counsellor by bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association, a Bachelor of Counselling Degree is required. Bachelor degrees usually take three years to complete and tend to involve some aspect of work placement so you can develop your skills under a professional. Counselling frameworks and theories are covered in greater detail, as well as how to adapt methods to individual patient’s situation.
As a professional counsellor, you’ll have a broad spectrum of career opportunities available, because counsellors can work anywhere from schools, hospitals and youth centres through to welfare agencies, emergency shelters or even in their own private practice. You’ll find opportunities outside of the industry as well, as your expert people-skills will be highly valued in professions such as sales, marketing and human resources.
Few jobs are more future-proof than those in the helping professions such as counselling; after all, one thing that robots are unlikely to ever fully understand is the range of human emotions. There are expected to be as many as 5,000 additional counselling jobs available by 2020 (compared to 2015 levels) and with Australia’s population ageing rapidly, counsellors interested in elderly care will likely have ample opportunities.
By studying through TAFE, you will not only get the skills and knowledge you need to be the best counsellor possible, you will be trained up by some of the most sought-after institutions in the country.
A career in counselling certainly isn’t for everyone, as it’s an extremely challenging role that is both mentally and emotionally draining; however, you’ll feel great knowing that every day you’ll be directly helping to improve someone’s quality of life.
So, are you ready to put that calm demeanour and sympathetic ear of yours to work? If so, use our course finder to find your perfect program, sign up, and start your journey into the world of counselling today!