If you’re good listener, and enjoy helping other people discuss their issues and work towards a solution, then a career in mental health counselling and therapy might be something to consider. Qualified counsellors are increasingly needed in the NHS, private practice, schools, and charities, so read on to learn how you could build a career while helping others.
Updated: 25 Jan 2026
You’ll primarily use talking therapy techniques to help clients develop strategies to deal with a range of emotional or psychological challenges, such as anxiety, relationship issues, or trauma.
Your day-to-day work will be a mix of direct client work, planning sessions, and record keeping. Tasks may include conducting consultations with new clients, one-to-one approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), group workshops on stress management or peer support.
You’ll spend time writing session notes, contacting specialist services or making referrals, and meeting with colleagues to discuss patient care and new developments in the field.
Fostering trust
You’ll create a respectful, and unbiased environment in which your clients feel safe to explore sensitive topics with confidence
Active listening
You’ll be able to discern not just what your clients are saying, but the underlying meaning that even they might not realise themselves
Ethical awareness
Navigate issues like confidentiality, consent, and safeguarding in line with BACP or UKCP codes of practice
For most undergraduate routes you’ll need two or three A-levels (or equivalent), with subjects like psychology, sociology, biology, and chemistry being highly valued. Mathematics is also a big plus, since statistics form a considerable part of psychological research, and being able to confidently interpret graphs and numerical data is important. Hands-on experience can really boost your uni application, showing initiative and commitment, and also giving you something interesting to talk about in your interview.
There’s a wide range of undergraduate degrees that will set you up for a career in counselling and therapy. The important thing is to ensure that your degree is accredited with a professional body with whom you can register after graduation, allowing you to work in your chosen field. In the UK, professional bodies include:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
British Psychological Society (BPS)
National Counselling Society (NCS)
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
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Like many healthcare related courses, counselling involves a mixture of classroom- and practice-based study. You’ll complete at least 100–200 supervised practice hours in placements within community centres, schools, or mental health services, and will be assessed via a range of methods including exams, essays, case-study presentations, and supervised practice sessions. Most full-time courses last three years.
If you already hold an undergraduate degree in a related subject area, there are several types of postgraduate diploma or master’s programme which allow you to convert to counselling in just one to two years.
The next step is applying for BACP membership as a registered counsellor or pursuing UKCP registration if you studied psychotherapy. Entry-level roles have starting salaries around £24,000–£30,000 in the NHS and various healthcare charities. Working in private practice or specialising in a particular area such as child and adolescent therapy, trauma, or family therapy can increase your earnings to above £40,000 per year.
Stay current: Mental health is a rapidly evolving field, so staying up to speed with new developments will demonstrate your engagement, as well as ensuring your answers and talking points are relevant
Experience: Detail any direct support roles you’ve held. Many counsellors have work experience in a related field like teaching, social work, or nursing before moving into this career
“The best aspects of the course would include the opportunities provided by the uni (I was able to secure a really good placement through my course).” — Hannah, BSc Psychology with Professional Placement at Cardiff University
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How long does it take to become a therapist?
Undergraduate degrees take three years; postgraduate diplomas one to two years; master’s programmes three to four years.
Can I travel overseas with my counselling work?
Typically not, due to national accreditation requirements you’ll usually help clients in your city or region.
Can you work from home as a counsellor?
Increasingly, yes. Counsellors and therapists are offering virtual sessions, which allows them to work from home, as well as conducting face-to-face sessions from the office.
If you’re feeling confident about a career in counselling, then it’s about time to choose a course. Compare a wide range of BACP-accredited counselling and psychotherapy degrees, and begin your path to becoming a qualified mental health counsellor.
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