5 (Honest) pros & cons about being a counsellor.
I’ve been a counsellor for over 3 years. I’ve seen a lot, but theres much more to learn as well. in short, I think it’s just right amount of experience to write an article like this! Before we start, I want to disclose that this is my own views and experience, and I want to shed light on this industry for the sakes of my colleagues and aspiring counsellors everywhere.
Pros:
I’ts not about seeing the whole world change, but seeing someone’s world change. One of the biggest pros of being a counselor is the opportunity to make a positive difference in people's lives and seeing clients slowly but surely progress and overcome challenges can be incredibly rewarding.
Flexibility: Counseling can be a flexible career with various work settings, such as MNCs, MGOs, private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, schools, and more. You can also start your own practice, just like me, and have total control of your time. This allows you to spend time on what matters to you, like family and hobbies.
Continuous learning: The psychology industry is new and always growing, much more so with counselling. With so many courses available, counselors have the opportunity to continuously learn and grow through ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques. It also helps that we have the best community to support that growth as well. Everyone is (usually) very friendly and helpful.
A common question counselors get is: “Do you therapise yourself?” Well.. we dont, but having the knowledge does help in overcoming our personal issues. Counselors are often encouraged to practice self-care and engage in their own personal therapy, which can lead to personal growth and self-awareness.
Job security: Mental health industry is continually growing in popularity and awareness. There is a growing demand for mental health services, which can provide job security for counselors. Not only does the industry grow side-by-side with technology, it is also protected as one ofthe few occupations that centers on human connection which is hard, if at all possible, to replicate.
Cons:
It’s tough. Working with clients who are struggling with mental health issues can take an emotional toll on counselors, leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. Masters level counsellor are vigorously trained for this, but we are still human and may succumb to life’s challenges.
Challenging clients: Counsellors are motivated to help you get better, but we cannot move unless you want to. Some clients may be resistant to counseling or may not be motivated to make changes, making it difficult for counselors to help them. It’s part of the job, but that puts us in a very frustrating position.
Counselors have legal and ethical responsibilities, which can be complex and challenging to navigate. This may involve having sensitive discussions with lawyers, police officers, doctors, parents/guardians, and even our own licensing boards.
Administrative tasks: Believe it or not, our job extends beyond the counesling sofa. Counselors often have administrative tasks, such as managing client files and insurance paperwork, which can be time-consuming and take away from direct client care.
THE BIG ONE: SALARY. Although counseling can be a rewarding career, it may not be the most financially lucrative. Salaries for counselors can vary widely depending on the setting and level of experience.
There you have it, my personal pros and cons of the job. I hope that you have a better sense of what it’s like to be a counsellor and feel a sense of familiarity if you are one currently. If you have any questions of would like to know more, feel free to reach out and I’ll help you the best that I can.
