Why counselling can be an empowering career choice for women – Are you considering a career in counselling? It can be a hugely rewarding role for many women, allowing them to utilise their skills to support others.
Yet it takes a huge amount of time, education and commitment to qualify and may present some emotional challenges. Beyond training and accreditation, other considerations for aspiring professionals include counsellors’ insurance and acquiring suitable office space if freelancing.
If you’re wondering whether this could be the right path for you, professionally and personally, then you’re in the right place. Here, we explore why counselling might be a rewarding and empowering career choice for you.
Control over work-life balance
One of the reasons that counselling appeals to women is the flexible working hours. If you decide to become a freelance counsellor, you can decide the hours that you work and offer appointments to clients around other commitments.
Employed roles may also be available on a part-time basis, which frees up periods of the day to enjoy hobbies, spend quality time with family and look after your own mental and physical health.
This allows you to create a balanced work-life dynamic and have greater autonomy over your personal and professional responsibilities.
Potential to help others
Counselling provides a safe space for people to share issues that they may not be able to talk to anyone else about.
Providing a listening ear, empathising with their situation and helping them to make positive steps forward can be hugely rewarding.
It may give you a sense of purpose and fulfilment to know that you’re making a real difference in people’s lives.
Create positive change in communities
As a counsellor, you can help break down social stigmas around receiving professional support – encouraging those who may shy away from reaching out or neglect their wellbeing for fear of how they’ll be perceived.
You can create a diverse portfolio of clients and inspire people from various backgrounds to seek help.
This can ultimately lead to a more open and supportive society that recognises everyone’s need for support, regardless of their gender, age and so on.
If you think a role in counselling is right for you, you’ll need to look at earning qualifications. This involves getting a diploma, degree or postgraduate degree in counselling or psychotherapy, before registering with a professional body such as the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
But there’s no doubt that a career in counselling can be hugely rewarding for many women so, if you feel a calling to help people, it’s worth exploring the steps to get you there today.
Poppy Watt