In Australia alone, there are almost 500 thousand people who experience mental health conditions during their lives. In 2019, there were just under 1 billion people around the world who had been diagnosed with mental issues, and these numbers will continue to grow as the world gets more challenging to live in. This is why experienced and qualified counsellors are so important: they’re seriously in demand!
But, how far do you have to study to become a counsellor, and is there any benefit to going as for as doing your master’s in counselling? Well, we’d say yes, but we won’t leave it there. Here’s why we think you should further your studies in counselling.
What do counsellors do, actually?
While this might seem self-explanatory, counselling is a pretty broad and diverse career with many sub-fields within it. As a counsellor, you could specialise in adolescent counselling and trauma counselling or have your own general practice where you counsel people from across the spectrum. In most cases, counsellors will act in a very similar way to therapists. They’ll invite you in, build a relationship with you to instill trust and listen to your problems while they diagnose your condition or situation.
Counsellors are generally great listeners, and they’ve studied various methods that have proven to help people through difficult circumstances and improve their mental health.
Do you need to complete a master’s course to be a counsellor?
Having a Master’s in Counselling isn’t required for you to be a qualified counsellor, but it would definitely be beneficial. In Australia, formal qualifications are required to become a counsellor. Starting from a diploma in counselling, you can get an undergraduate degree and then move to a post-graduate degree, like a graduate certificate or Master’s in Counselling. Those who choose to study further after their undergrad course are usually better equipped for the job and:
- Have a more appealing resume for potential employees
- Are exposed to new, innovative methods and techniques
- Are better suited to handling more complicated cases
- Generally, build trust with clients faster based on their experience
Benefits of studying a masters in counselling
Counsellors play an important role in Australia’s mental health services, offering support and guidance to people who are experiencing challenges in their lives. For that reason, it’s only fitting to share the benefits of why you should further your studies as a counsellor. Here are some benefits of having a master’s in counselling:
The satisfaction of helping others
If anything, the job of a counsellor is filled with compassion for others. As a counsellor, you’ll be in the thick of it with people, helping them get through some of the toughest times in their lives. Here’s where the good part comes in. When your clients have a break it’s incredible. The satisfaction of helping them come through their issues or get healing where they’ve been hurt makes the job all worth it.
Expanding your career opportunities
A Masters in counselling can open up doors for you in different career paths and companies. Having the option to diversify your skill set is a great way of ensuring that you have job security if you have to find another job.
Help you develop personal and professional
We’re always told to keep studying, whether it’s a formal qualification or in our free time. This is because studying aids in your personal development. By doing a master’s in counselling, you’re equipping yourself personally and professionally with the skills to handle more complex situations in your own life and to help others with their situations as well.
What jobs are available to graduates with their Master’s in Counselling?
As we mentioned in our introduction, counsellors are in demand all over the world. But what jobs can one take with a master’s in counselling? Here are a few examples:
Counsellor
As the name of the degree suggests, you can become a counsellor. This could either be a general counsellor, a school counsellor, or a counsellor with a more specialised practice like trauma counselling, Psychodynamic Therapy, or Humanistic Therapy.
Community health worker
As a community health worker, you’ll work in the health industry providing basic care to your local community. This might involve you assisting people with the best medical insurance plans, or helping those who can’t afford medical services at the local hospital.
Residential counsellor
Being displaced by an accident or because of poverty can be traumatic in its own way. As a residential counsellor, you would provide support for families or individuals who are living in harmful environments or who have lost their homes and are forced to stay in community homes or shelters.
Career counselor
At some stage in every person’s life, they need to choose a career to pursue in life. This decision can be extremely difficult for young people, and they often need someone to help them choose a beneficial career path. As a career counsellor, you’d assess a person’s character, likes and dislikes, and qualifications and assist them in making informed decisions about their careers.
Chemical dependency counsellor
A chemical dependency counsellor helps people with addiction issues and figures out why they’re addicted. They also work with patients’ families to explain their role in the rehab process and how they can support their loved ones.
Final Thoughts
You might not feel the need to get your master’s in counselling at the moment, but there’s no doubt that having it behind your name will definitely improve your career prospects and make you a better counsellor overall.
