Paid Counselling Opportunities

Finding Paid Work as a Counsellor

Having the right qualifications does not guarantee you will walk straight into a paid counselling role. Competition for positions remains strong, partly because counselling attracts people from other caring professions who retrain later in their careers.

Many individuals from healthcare and educational backgrounds are increasingly interested in the potential for one to one therapeutic work. This steady flow of newly qualified practitioners means employers can afford to be selective.

That said, the range of settings where counsellors now work has grown considerably. The expansion of digital and remote counselling since the pandemic has created new employment routes, and understanding where to look can make a genuine difference to your search.

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Where Counsellors Are Employed

Paid counselling roles can be found across a variety of sectors. Some of the more common include:

• NHS services, including mental health trusts and primary care settings
• Educational settings such as schools, colleges and universities
• Workplace employee assistance programmes
• Charitable organisations and specialist support services
• GP surgeries and primary care networks
• Addiction and substance misuse services
• Bereavement support organisations
• Hospices and palliative care teams
• Youth work and young people's services
• Online and telephone counselling platforms

Note that NHS Talking Therapies roles often require specific training in modalities like CBT rather than general counselling qualifications. School counselling positions tend to be more regulated and usually require child protection training, with some employers expecting teaching experience.

Specialist areas like eating disorders, trauma and relationship counselling may require additional training or experience. Some employers will support you to develop these skills once in post, while others expect you to arrive with them.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Searching for Vacancies

Counselling jobs are advertised through several channels. The BACP and UKCP both have job boards on their websites. NHS roles appear on NHS Jobs, and local authority positions are usually listed on council websites. The NCS also lists vacancies, though their accreditation may carry less weight with some employers than BACP or UKCP registration.

General job sites like Indeed and Reed carry counselling vacancies, though you will need to filter carefully. Some agencies specialise in placing counsellors in short term or locum roles, which can be useful while you build experience.

Networking matters in this field. Many positions are filled through word of mouth or internal promotion. Staying connected with former tutors, placement supervisors and professional contacts can open doors that job boards alone will not. LinkedIn groups for UK counsellors and local BACP networks can help you stay informed about opportunities.

Voluntary experience often leads to paid work. Organisations like Mind, Cruse Bereavement Support and local counselling charities may offer sessional or part time contracts to volunteers who demonstrate reliability and skill.

Strengthening Your Position

Employers generally look for candidates whose training is accredited by a recognised body. BACP accreditation or UKCP registration will usually improve your prospects, though requirements vary. Some NHS therapy roles may require Health and Care Professions Council registration, particularly for positions with protected titles.

Continuing professional development helps too. Additional training in areas like CBT, person centred therapy or working with specific client groups can make your application stand out.

Keep your CV current and tailor it to each role. Highlight relevant placement hours, supervision arrangements and any specialist experience. A clear, well written application shows attention to detail and professionalism.

Be realistic about starting points. Many counsellors begin with part time or sessional work and build from there. Full time salaried positions exist but tend to attract significant interest. Patience and persistence are usually needed.

For information on NHS pay scales and working conditions, check the NHS Employers website or GOV.UK. Professional bodies like BACP also publish guidance on typical rates for private and agency work.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Counselling Approach Finder lets you describe what a client brings to you and find out which counselling approach is most evidence based for their situation. Try it now →