It takes courage to ask for help. Not everyone who seeks support is necessarily in a crisis but may just want to process a personal issue. Other life difficulties may overwhelm them and impact on their mental wellbeing and ability to cope. In either situation people often turn to counsellors or psychotherapists for support.

As a counsellor or psychotherapist, you will work with people when they are often at their most vulnerable. Through your work you will meet many different people from all walks of life and backgrounds. A counsellor may work with clients who have short term goals or to help with a specific difficulty, whereas a psychotherapist may work with clients with deep seated issues over a prolonged period of time. Your role is to put your client at ease and establish a confidential, trusting relationship where they feel safe to talk about the issues they are experiencing. It takes time to build rapport and for your client to share their story at their own pace. A therapeutic contract is drawn up at the beginning of the therapy agreeing on the number of sessions. Your role is not to give advice but to help your client explore their difficulties and empower them to find their own solutions.

Every counsellor or psychotherapist works with their clients using different therapeutic approaches according to their needs, so one size does not fit all. You may work with clients who are experiencing anxiety because of career or financial related stress. Others may have phobias, relationship difficulties or problems caused by addiction. Some may have experienced traumas that are rooted in their childhood such as sexual and physical abuse. These are just a few of the myriad of human issues you may come across and have the privilege of helping your clients to explore and work through.

To work as a psychotherapist or counsellor you should be emotionally stable, empathetic, and non-judgemental. Good communication, interpersonal and active listening skills are essential to build a therapeutic relationship with your clients. You should be patient, compassionate and have a genuine interest in helping others.

CORU, which is responsible for regulating health and social care professions in Ireland, is currently working on the criteria for standards of proficiency, education, and training for the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist. It is expected that once these are finalised you will be required to register to use the protected title of counsellor or psychotherapist. There is no firm date for this to happen yet.

To work as a counsellor or psychotherapist you require an undergraduate degree plus a postgraduate qualification and accreditation with a professional body. There are a number of professional accreditation bodies for counselling and psychotherapy, each of whom have different requirements. The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the largest accrediting body in Ireland for the profession. A list of accredited courses is available from the Irish Association of Counselling & Psychotherapists. Many other people working in these professions have undergraduate degrees in areas such as medical, psychological, social and education. Therefore, there are many opportunities to qualify as a counsellor or psychotherapist and you should check entry requirements carefully before applying for any courses. Many are available on a part-time or hybrid basis.

As part of your training, you will complete supervised placements with your clients and be required to undertake a period of personal therapy. This is to enable you to put yourself in your clients’ shoes and gain an understanding of what it feels like to attend a therapist. This process can also raise your awareness about your own personal unconscious biases and any unresolved issues that may interfere with your work. To maintain your competence and professional accreditation you will also be required to regularly discuss your work with a supervisor.

The work can be emotionally draining so you need to be resilient and take care of your own mental health. Supervision for the counsellor is important. Although challenging and not everyone can be helped, it can be an incredibly rewarding career. Helping someone in their life’s journey, empowering them to overcome challenges and witnessing changes to their emotional wellbeing can be hugely satisfying.

Further information available here and from;

Counsellors and Psychotherapists - General FAQs - Coru

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland (APCP)

National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy (NAPCP)

Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS)

Addiction Counsellors of Ireland