Counselling psychologist

As a counselling psychologist, you'll use evidence-based psychological theory and research in therapeutic work to help clients manage mental health difficulties, emotional distress and life challenges.

Mental health difficulties may include:

• anxiety
• depression
• eating disorders
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• psychosis.

These conditions are often linked to traumatic life experiences such as:

• bereavement
• domestic violence
• relationship difficulties
• sexual abuse
• traumatic experiences.

You'll work collaboratively with clients in a holistic and insightful way to enable them to consider change and take control of their recovery. Clients can include children, adults, families, couples and groups.

Practising as a counselling psychologist requires a high level of training and also self-awareness, developed through personal therapy, supervision and reflective practice.

Responsibilities

As a counselling psychologist, you'll need to:

• undertake assessments of mental health needs, including ongoing risk assessment and psychometric testing
• establish and maintain a collaborative therapeutic relationship with clients based on trust, respect and psychological safety
• formulate a psychological understanding of your clients' difficulties, exploring their experiences, thoughts, feelings, behaviour and relationships
• plan and deliver evidence-based psychological therapies to help clients understand and address their difficulties
• empower clients to make positive changes, build coping strategies and take control of their recovery
• monitor, review and evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions
• collaborate with colleagues, the broader multidisciplinary team and referrers to plan and coordinate care
• communicate complex and sensitive information clearly, both orally and in writing, to clients, their families and carers
• work in line with ethical, legal and professional standards, maintaining accurate records and practising in a culturally sensitive way
• engage in regular supervision, reflective practice and continuing professional development to maintain and develop your skills.

With experience, you may also:

• train and mentor trainee psychologists
• manage a team including other psychologists, assistant psychologists and other health staff
• provide clinical and professional supervision for trainees and more junior psychologists
• manage, audit and develop counselling psychology services.

Salary

• Salaries for trainee counselling psychologists in the NHS are on band 6 of the Agenda for Change - pay rates, which ranges from £38,682 to £46,580.
• Once qualified, salaries typically range from £47,810 to £54,710 (band 7). With a few years' experience, salaries can rise to between £55,690 and £74,896 (Bands 8a and 8b).
• Consultant counselling psychologists, who have significant experience and responsibility, typically earn between £76,965 and £105,337 (Bands 8c and 8d). Heads of psychology services may earn more.

NHS employees also receive a range of benefits, including a pension and access to schemes such as the NHS Blue Light Card. Salaries are higher in London and surrounding areas due to high-cost area supplements.

Research and lecturing posts at universities often follow academic and related staff scales. For salary details, see the University and College Union (UCU).

Counselling psychologists working in private practice, commerce or industry should expect pay at a similar level to those in the public sector.

Figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually Monday to Friday, typically between 8.30am and 5pm, for jobs in the NHS, although some flexibility may be required.

Many counselling psychologists are self-employed or combine NHS work with private practice. If you're self-employed you may choose to work some evenings or weekends to suit your clients.

There are good opportunities for part-time work and job-sharing.

What to expect

• You'll usually work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes other healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists, occupational therapists, community psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, wellbeing practitioners and social workers.
• Work may take place in a range of settings, including clinics, hospitals, community services or private practice.
• The work can be rewarding but also challenging as it involves contact with people who are often distressed. You'll receive regular clinical supervision to support safe and effective practice.
• Jobs are available throughout the UK. More varied opportunities may be available in larger cities. Some health authorities prioritise psychological therapy, making more jobs available.
• If you work for more than one employer or are self-employed, you may need to travel locally to meet clients.

Qualifications

To practise as a counselling psychologist in the UK you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), which involves training at postgraduate level.

To begin training you'll normally need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is achieved by completing a psychology degree or conversion course accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS). For a full list of GBC qualifying courses, see the BPS directory of Accredited Psychology Courses.

You'll then need to take a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, which is approved by the HCPC and accredited by the BPS. Entry is competitive and typically requires:

• a good first degree (usually a 2:1 or above)
• relevant work experience, which can be either paid or voluntary
• evidence of research skills
• basic training in counselling skills.

Some course providers may consider applicants with a 2:2 who also hold a higher qualification, such as a Masters in psychology that demonstrates research ability. Entry requirements vary, so it's important to check individual course details.

Before starting training, you must also complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme in Scotland) and an occupational health assessment.

Doctoral courses usually take three years full time (or the equivalent part time). Training includes supervised clinical placements in a range of settings, such as the NHS and other public services, voluntary organisations and private practice. You'll also undergo personal therapy throughout your training.

On successful completion of a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, you'll be eligible for:

• chartered membership of the BPS
• full membership of the BPS Division of Counselling Psychology
• entry onto the HCPC register as a counselling psychologist.

The Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP), which is the independent route to training and an alternative to a university-based doctorate, is currently under review and not accepting applications. Check the BPS website for updates.

Skills

You'll need to show:

• interpersonal and psychotherapeutic skills
• excellent communication skills
• counselling skills
• an open-minded and sensitive approach when dealing with clients
• the ability to explore emotional issues with clients
• a healthy curiosity and research-minded approach to work
• analytical skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• the capacity to look at how and why things are working, or not, with clients
• independence and self-motivation
• self-awareness, self-knowledge, security and self-belief
• capability of working under pressure
• time management skills to be able to manage a caseload
• IT skills
• understanding of cultural and religious diversity.

Work experience

Training providers typically expect you to have around a year of relevant work experience in a mental health or counselling role. Experience can be paid or voluntary, but should involve active, face-to-face work with people experiencing psychological or mental health difficulties, usually within a structured setting and with access to supervision.

Providers look for evidence that you can reflect on your practice, understand professional boundaries and work safely with distressed clients, so roles based solely on befriending, mentoring, shadowing or observation are insufficient.

Experience in the following roles may be particularly useful:

• assistant psychologist
• counsellor
• health or social care support worker
• healthcare assistant
• mental health support worker
• psychological wellbeing practitioner.

Experience with mental health charities, victim support services, or in areas such as bereavement or relationship counselling may also be relevant. Work experience requirements vary between courses, so it's important to check with individual providers.

Once training begins, building professional networks through conferences, events and professional bodies can support your ongoing development.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Many counselling psychologists provide clinical services in health and social care settings. Employers include:

• NHS general hospitals (in areas such as acute admissions, psychiatric care and rehabilitation) and psychiatric hospitals
• private hospitals
• health centres
• GP surgeries
• NHS Talking Therapies services
• Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services
• specialist child and family services, such as Child and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) and community mental health teams
• local authority mental health and social care services.

Opportunities are also available in the prison service, voluntary sector, educational settings, such as schools, colleges and universities, research, forensic settings, occupational health and employee wellbeing services, and industry.

Alternatively, you can work independently, either alone or in a group practice, or as an organisational consultant in the public or private sector, where you may be involved in training, development or conflict resolution.

There are also some opportunities for experienced counselling psychologists to work abroad, with organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Health Organization.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Jobs in Psychology
• Jobs.ac.uk - academic and research jobs
• NHS Jobs (England and Wales)
• NHS Scotland Jobs
• Jobs.hscni.net - Health and Social Care Northern Ireland Jobs.

Vacancies may also be advertised in the local and national press and on hospital, local authority and charity websites.

Professional development

Once qualified, continuing professional development (CPD) is an integral part of your career and is an essential requirement for maintaining HCPC registration and chartered membership of the BPS.

Most counselling psychologists continue to work with a supervisor or mentor, who can provide advice and guidance on managing complex or challenging work with clients or groups.

Further study and specialist development are encouraged and should include a mixture of directed and self-directed activities, supported by reflective practice, such as:

• post-qualification courses to develop your knowledge of different theoretical approaches
• professional supervision
• lecturing, teaching or giving presentations
• attending workshops or conferences
• topical research, writing articles or papers
• mentoring, supervising or assessing trainees
• developing expertise with a particular client group.

You're expected to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of CPD activities, demonstrating how they contribute to the quality of your practice and benefit clients and services.

With two years' experience of working in psychotherapy, you may be eligible to join the Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy (ROPSIP) at practitioner level. After at least eight years' psychotherapy experience, you'll be eligible for senior practitioner status.

It's also possible to train to become a clinical supervisor and join the Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPS).

Further information is available from the BPS Professional Development Centre.

Career prospects

Clearly defined career paths are available with certain employers, including the NHS, Civil Service, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and local authorities. With the right combination of skills and experience, you can progress through the grades, taking on increased responsibility for clinical work, staff supervision and the development and management of counselling psychology services.

As your career develops, there are opportunities to specialise in areas of practice, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or to focus on working with specific client groups, including children and young people, older adults or people with complex needs. Within the NHS, experienced counselling psychologists may progress into senior, principal or consultant-level roles, where responsibilities can include clinical leadership, service development, supervision of other professionals and strategic input at an organisational level.

With experience, you can choose to become self-employed or to combine private practice with part-time employment in settings such as the NHS.

As you progress, you may develop a portfolio career that includes consultancy work, teaching and training, clinical and professional supervision, or involvement in research. Some senior counselling psychologists may hold academic posts alongside clinical practice.