How to Launch Your Career in Counselling: From Education to Professional Practice

Do you want a career where you can partner with God in bringing meaningful change to people's lives? Morling College has been training counsellors for over 30 years. Our post Covid society is facing an avalanche of mental health issues and counsellors are part of the solution.1 Counsellors are an in demand profession growing by over 1000 positions annually.2 Counsellor positions are available in private practice, schools, mental health organisations, and other industry sectors. Perhaps you have a heart to help and are considering counselling as a career.  A Master of Counselling at Morling College is accredited by PACFA and ACA for professional registration. That means you will graduate with completed registration requirements for immediate employment and specialised counselling knowledge for a range of clients (adults, children , adolescents, couples, families, groups). So what next?

1. ENROL IN A MASTER OF COUNSELLING

The Master of Counselling can be completed full time over two years or part time over six years. The course provides professional training in counselling with a focus on integrating counselling practice with a biblically sound Christian worldview. Our approach to learning includes on-campus weekly, live online, intensives and semi intensives. which allow you the possibility of studying around work and family commitments. 

Entrance to the Master of Counselling is based on evidence of a capacity to undertake higher degree studies including a: Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Honours degree or Graduate degree. It’s ok if you need a stepping stone! A small step forward to help you embrace a career change or begin your studies. If you are interested in a career change to counselling but would like to get a feel for the subject area you might prefer to begin with a Graduate Certificate. A four subject starter!  

For those over the age of 21 without an undergraduate degree there is an experience based pathway. Don’t discount the value of non-tertiary study such as VET, professional studies and documented life experiences. Your starting point might be just one subject to enter via the experienced based entry scheme. Even if you do not have an undergraduate degree you may be eligible to begin your studies. 

Applicants via both pathways are invited to attend an interview in order to demonstrate their capacity for a career in counselling.  This forms part of the application process.

The skills gained through a Graduate Certificate can be utilised with your existing career as you gain listening, communication skills and deepen your understanding of human behaviour and development.These subjects can be credited towards a Master of Counselling should you choose to continue studying.

2. EXPERIENCE BEING EQUIPPED AT MORLING

Our class sizes are small and our lecturers are all experienced professionals who are currently in practice. This ensures you are able to gain from the skills and experience of those who work in the area of counselling. Units include subjects such as Interpersonal Therapeutic Skills & Practice, Reflection & Integration of Theology in Therapeutic Practice, Human Development, and other units of study that cover mental health and group dynamics, and crisis and trauma. (For more information please see our Course Guide). 

At the heart of the Morling Counselling course is a model of working with others that facilitates the capacity for therapeutic presence with clients, which brings with it the potential for deep and lasting change. Our units are underpinned by a Christian worldview providing opportunity for learning that enhances professional, personal, and spiritual formation. Once you have completed the core units there is a range of electives which allow you to focus on more specialised areas such as, working with children, adolescents, couples, or families. Through studying at Morling you will gain insight into how interpersonal processes can affect relationships in different settings and develop strategies to improve communication and foster healthy relationships.

3. KNOW YOU ARE PREPARED THROUGH PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The capstone of your educational experience is the Supervised Counselling Practicum undertaken within a professional counselling environment. You will spend one day a week over two semesters working directly with clients whilst being supervised by a practising counsellor and accredited supervisor, provided by the college. This gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have gained whilst expressing your own creativity. The time dedicated to this allows space to refine and develop your skills in a safe and nurturing environment. The goal of the practicum is to prepare you for professional practice as a counsellor.

Our world is in need of counsellors with deep understanding of people, skilled listeners who can walk beside people through change. A stand out feature of our course is the practical experience you gain to enable you to bring Christ’s love to bear on a hurting world. Contact our Future Students Advisors today for a call back with more information.

¹https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/prevalence-and-impact-of-mental-illness

²https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/labour-market-insights/occupations/2721-counsellors