5 signs you should become a Counsellor

It can be a truly rewarding experience to help another person out of the depths of despair and into a life of health and abundance. According to WHO, depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015.

The greatest thing about counselling is that the older you get, the better at it you’ll be. With age comes wisdom and experience. No matter where you are in your life, or how far you’ve gone in another career direction, you can always become a counsellor.

Our student Will Booney decided to become a counsellor after years as the Managing Director of a national organisation. “I had moved from Corporate Finance 10 years earlier in search of meaning and purpose. Even though I was working for a ‘for purpose’ organisation, I was still not feeling authentic meaning. I was motivated to make significant changes and seek out a new way of being. I have found that being of service to others as a therapist and having rich interactions is delivering the meaning and purpose for which I was searching.”

Here are some signs that you’d be a great counsellor.

1. You’re passionate about making a positive change in other people’s lives.

You love watching people grow and change for the better. 

2. You love learning about human behaviour

Psychology books are stacked by your bedside table and you’re constantly wondering why people act the way they do.

3. You’re an empath.

You genuinely care about others around you and can feel their pain.  

4. You understand what mental illness feels like.

You have gone experienced some level of mental illness and pulled yourself out. Your own experience of mental illness can build trust and authenticity to your work.

5. You want to give back to your community.

You want to touch the lives of those around you and make an impact.