1. Keep up-to-date with ongoing training and development
To maintain your accreditation and stay current with developments in the counselling profession, you will need to undertake ongoing training and development or Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD requirements vary depending on:
- accrediting body
- professional organisation
- level of accreditation.
It’s important to check requirements with your accrediting body or professional organisation to stay current on your CPD.
There's lots of specialist CPD providers out there that can expand your knowledge. Some examples of CPD topics for counsellors working with children and young people are:
- domestic abuse and the impact it has on children and young people
- dealing with difficult and/or challenging behaviour
- body image
- development of identity in childhood.
You can find CPD through your accrediting body. Alternatively, there are lots of options on the CPD Certification Service's website.
2. Introducing child counselling into your existing portfolio
If you're already a counsellor qualified to work with adults, there's training available that will give you the skills to work with children and young people. Expanding your work to include children and young people has lots of benefits, including:
- increasing your versatility and personal fulfilment
- helping you to continue learning in your role as a counsellor
- allowing you to be involved in early intervention
- boosting your employability
- helping you in addressing family issues when counselling.
If you're a qualified adult counsellor, you can expand your work to include working with children and young people by completing our Level 5 Certificate.
Child Counselling for Adult Counsellors (Level 5 Certificate)
Our Child Counselling for Adult Counsellors (Level 5 Certificate) will enable you to build advanced counselling knowledge and play skills that will allow you to work therapeutically with children and young people.
Learn more about our Level 5 Certificate
3. Become a clinical supervisor
Are you an experienced counsellor, working with adults and/or children, and looking to take the next step in your career? Becoming a clinical supervisor will:
- improve your leadership and mentoring skills
- deepen your understanding of therapeutic processes
- help you contribute to developing ethical, effective, and culturally sensitive counsellors.
As a clinical supervisor, you'll be responsible for overseeing trainee and qualified counsellors, providing constructive feedback to their practice. You'll also encourage reflective practice, promote professional growth and provide a broader perspective on counselling practices to your supervisees.
Counselling Supervision Certificate (Level 6 Certificate)
Completing our Level 6 Certificate will enable you to practice as clinical supervisors in line with ethical standards. During the course, you’ll learn about the importance of knowledge growth and skills practice while encouraging joy when you’re supervising. You’ll have the opportunity to:
- experiment with different supervision activities
- share themes and ideas in a safe space
- build your practice in line with equality, diversity and inclusion in mind
- develop ideas to support your ongoing development in the therapeutic field as a counsellor.
