Qualifications improve your chances; they do not gate the job. Level 4 is the most recognised.
Typical pay: £25,000 to £48,000Level 4 most recognisedOpen entry
Pay range: National Careers Service.
Your route in
Employers typically expect around L3
1
Qualifications employers recognise (Level 4)
Any of these strengthens your application.
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling L426 courses
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling L46 courses
- HNC in Counselling and Applied Psychology (Level 4) L45 courses
- Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice L44 courses
- Foundation Degree in Counselling Theory and Practice L42 courses
- Foundation Degree in Humanistic Counselling (Transactional Analysis) L42 courses
2
Add-on certificates
Complements to the main route. Where no level is shown, the awarding body does not specify one.
3
Where this can take you
If you're a new counsellor, It's important to get peer support to develop your skills. With experience you could: specialise in an area like bereavement support, relationships or addiction, become a counsellor supervisor or trainer, move into management or consultancy and set up your own practice and work for yourself.
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling L53 courses
- BA (Hons) Counselling Top-Up Degree (Part Time) L62 courses
- BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling L62 courses
- BSc (Hons) Person-Centred Counselling (Top-up Degree) L62 courses