In an era when many of us are becoming more open about discussing our mental health, more and more people are seeking the help of a counsellor or therapist. With that in mind, now could be the time to consider counselling as a career option. 

Being a therapist or counsellor can be a remarkably rewarding career, and there are lots of different paths you could venture down. Whether you ultimately train to become a school counsellor, for substance abuse counselling, or to work with children and families, there are routes available to suit a wide range of interests. 

Below are even more reasons why a career in therapy and counselling could be a great option for you.  

You can help others

 

Perhaps the most obvious reason, a career in counselling provides you with countless opportunities to help others, no matter what route you choose. Some choose a career in counselling because they have been told they are a good listener and others are comfortable confiding in them. 

Maybe you enjoy helping people find solutions to their problems and find that rewarding. It is important to remember, however, that you won’t always have the solution to every problem – but that is okay. Most therapists find that their support and involvement still makes a difference to the lives of their clients. 

 

You get a sense of fulfilment

 

Quite often, people who choose a career in counselling do so because they want to experience meaning in the line of work they do. Some are simply called to the field, feeling a need to be part of something larger than themselves. 

A lot of therapists become so later in life, because they are searching for that sense of meaning that their previous career may not have been able to offer. Connecting to others and helping them through tough times gives an intrinsic sense of reward that lots of people actively seek out. 

 

It is a growing field

 

Job prospects for budding counsellors is at an all-time high. The field has grown exponentially over the last five or six years, and employment growth is predicted to keep rising strongly for another five.

A growing number of areas are now offering positions for counsellors within their businesses. According to The Counsellor’s Guide, counselling is readily available in the workplace and education, as well as in the specialist fields you might think of when you consider counselling as a career.    

 

A healthy work-life balance

 

If you are looking for a career option that allows flexibility for your personal life and responsibilities, counselling is one you should consider. A counsellor generally racks up 34 working hours a week, on average. On top of this, you are able to determine your own schedule. You decide when people can schedule appointments and you can fit clients in around your own commitments. 

 

You need an amazing work ethic

 

Although a career in counselling and therapy can certainly offer all of the amazing perks listed above, it is very important to point out that there is a lot of training required for the job, that you will have to balance around your other commitments. 

If you choose to have a specialty as a counsellor, it could require years and years of study, as well as the amount of experience you would need to build up before sitting with clients. If you are looking for high-quality therapist training, consider Nscience. 

We offer online training courses for therapists, to help you constantly develop throughout the course of your career. Contact us today to find out how you can further your knowledge and skills as a therapist with our assistance.