Naomi Said:

How can I get experience to be a counselling psychologist in the UK?

We Answered:

I don't feel confidentiality has to be a problem. Providing you understand that you have to keep total confidentiality - you can't discuss cases with family or friends or anyone connected with the client. You can discuss cases with other professionals so long as you don't reveal anything that would allow the client to be identified. You need a potential work experience giver to be happy you understand this.

One concern I do have is that you are not yet an adult, so you are not as able to cope with some things. Clients of a psychologist can bring serious problems they want to discuss. This might be distressing to you, and anyone giving you work experience would have a duty of care towards you so that you were not exposed to things that you could find hard to cope with. However perhaps it would be possible to get involved with counselling people of your own age group under the guidance of a professional.

Apart from formal work, just getting experience in chatting to people could be useful. Are there local centres for the elderly / visiting schemes where you could help out and lend a friendly ear?

I assume you have looked into an accademic route towards your goal. I imagine a psychology degree would be useful. There are other therapy roles that don't need degree level qualifications.

Theresa Said:

Are there any counselling volunteer work?

We Answered:

Try these links:
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/listings.…
http://www.childline.org.uk/volunteercou…
http://www.careers.ed.ac.uk/STUDENTS/Som…

Lydia Said:

Work experience for counselling?

We Answered:

I can let you help on my website
http://teen4help.webs.com

Frances Said:

How to get counselling Work Experience..?

We Answered:

For general mental health experience becoming a Healthcare Assistant/Axillary Nurse/care worker in a Psychiatric hospital is a very good start. You can do this on a informal basis (either by joining a temp agency or joining your local hospital's nursing bank (try NHS professinoals if you're in the UK). There you can chat to people on a one-to-one basis, learn how to deal with mental illness, learn how to build up a theraputic relationship, hone your skills etc.

Cassandra Said:

I'm 17 and want to find work experience in London? I want to go into counselling/human rights/criminology?

We Answered:

Why don't you email some places that focus in what you're interested in (such as a counsellors place) and tell them you're interested in volunteering for them for work experience, attach your cv and see how it goes.