Could a Master of Counselling transform your career?

With almost half of Australians aged 16-85 years experiencing a mental health condition at some time in their lives, counselling is an in-demand profession. And it provides a rewarding vocation for those seeking change.

Postgraduate qualifications — like a Master of Counselling — can provide the skills and knowledge required to become an effective counsellor.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of postgraduate study to become a counsellor and the opportunities available after completion, keep reading. Here, we also speak to Georgina Akers, the Course Coordinator for the Master of Counselling at Edith Cowan University (ECU), to better understand what’s involved when enrolling in a postgraduate course in counselling.

A master’s degree in counselling: foundations for a new career

“Counselling provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, gain insights into their experiences, and develop strategies to overcome challenges,” Georgina says. “Postgraduate courses are designed to equip students with practical skills, theory and knowledge to make a positive impact.”

Counsellors provide an invaluable service to clients, their families and the broader community. Postgraduate study can be a stepping stone to a career in this space. If you’re serious about a rewarding new profession in the healthcare industry, GlobalHealth Education’s university partners provide Master of Counselling course options to help you take the next step.

With an accelerated mode of study, students can complete these courses in as little as two years. “This format provides the opportunity to gain accreditation and start working as a professional in the field as soon as possible,” Georgina says.

Both programs include a field placement, with Georgina explaining how this training enriches students’ learning experiences. “A placement fosters students’ development as future counsellors and prepares them to apply their skills in real-world settings effectively, while under the guidance of qualified supervisors.”

Do you need to complete a master’s course to be a counsellor?

While you don’t need to complete a master’s degree to become a counsellor, it is highly valuable in many ways. Georgina states that counsellors who complete a Master of Counseling have:

• greater recognition from employers 
• understanding of new and emerging theories and research
• increased confidence in handling complex presentations
• greater confidence from clients who want to see a registered counsellor

Completing a postgraduate qualification can arm you with the skills and knowledge to work as a counsellor and support people effectively.

As integral providers of Australia’s mental health services, counsellors support people during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Georgina outlines the many benefits for healthcare professionals considering a Master of Counselling.

• Supporting patients and families
  Being able to support clients and families during times of crisis and emotional distress is a key responsibility of a counsellor. For existing healthcare professionals, this empowers them to “enhance the emotional wellbeing and overall care of their patients and colleagues”.
• Expanding skills and career opportunities
  “A Master of Counselling course provides many career opportunities in various settings, including community organisations, educational institutions and research.” For existing healthcare professionals, this means diversifying their career paths and finding new ways to make a positive impact.
• Personal and professional growth
  “Postgraduate study encourages self-reflection, self-evaluation and ongoing development. Counselling programs emphasise the importance of self-care, resilience and emotional wellbeing.”
• Alternative to a healthcare career
  A Master of Counselling can assist healthcare professionals seeking a change in an alternative career path. Through the flexibility of counselling as a career, such as establishing a private practice, work-life balance may be easier to maintain. By gaining a master’s in counselling, your salary may also increase.

Career paths after completing a Master of Counselling

The broader scope of career opportunities is one of the biggest benefits of completing a master’s course in counselling.

“After completing an accredited Master of Counselling, students will be eligible for Level 2 registration with the Australian Counselling Association, our accrediting body,” Georgina says. As a registered counsellor, there are many career paths one can pursue, including:

• counsellor or therapist
• rehabilitation counsellor
• school counsellor
• community counsellor
• crisis counsellor
• private practice.

Georgina also highlights emerging areas of demand in the counselling field for graduates. They include:

• teletherapy and online counselling
• trauma-informed counselling
• geriatric counselling
• cultural diversity and inclusion
• workplace mental health.

Regardless of where or how they work, counsellors provide a valuable service. “A good counsellor can profoundly impact both individuals and communities,” Georgina says. “By working with a counsellor, clients can enhance their wellbeing, develop coping skills and achieve personal growth.”

Another benefit of having a master’s degree in counselling, is the salary boost that may accompany this qualification upgrade. For example, the 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey by Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) reported that graduates with postgraduate qualifications earned approximately 35 per cent or $23,600 more in their median full-time salary compared to those with undergraduate education.

The next move in your healthcare career

Interested in pursuing a career as a counsellor? With an attractive choice of postgraduate courses, units and opportunities, it could be a wise next move for those working in healthcare and looking for a change.

GlobalHealth Education partners with Australian universities offering counselling courses. Whether progressing your counselling career further or beginning a new professional journey, there are various courses to help you achieve your goals.