Is counselling training right for me?

Thinking about becoming a counsellor but unsure where to begin. This guide explores what counselling training involves, the qualities that support success and how to decide whether this rewarding path is right for you.

Many people imagine that the moment you decide to train as a counsellor is a sudden realisation, but for most it begins as a quieter and gentler pull.

You may find yourself drawn to meaningful conversations, more aware of the emotions of those around you, or increasingly curious about what sits beneath the surface of people’s thoughts and behaviour. You may also have experienced therapy yourself and found it life changing. However, the desire forms, something inside begins to ask whether counselling training might be the right next step.

This blog offers a warm and realistic look at what counselling training involves, what qualities help students flourish and how to choose the starting point that suits you best.

Why people choose to train as counsellors

People arrive at the idea of counselling training through many different life experiences. Some feel a steady desire to support others. Some work in healthcare, education or support roles and want to deepen their interpersonal skills.

Others come from corporate roles and seek something more meaningful and human centred. Many carry personal experiences of grief, change or growth that inspire them to help others on similar journeys. There is no single background that makes someone suited to counselling.

What matters is that you feel drawn to understanding others, that you are open to learning about yourself and that you value empathy, honesty and personal growth. The therapeutic profession attracts people who want work that feels purposeful, values relationships and creates positive change in both small and significant ways.

What counselling training feels like

Counselling training is different from most educational experiences. While there is theory to learn, the heart of the training is relational and experiential. This means that learning happens through doing, discussing, reflecting and connecting with others.

Students often say that the training feels warm, supportive and surprisingly life enhancing. You may find that you understand yourself more deeply, that relationships feel richer and that communication becomes more intentional. This is because counselling training encourages self-awareness and empathy through practical experience.

A typical class might include:

• Exploring a counselling theory and how it applies to life
• Pair or group activities that practise listening and responding
• Reflective discussions about emotions and relationships
• Journalling and personal exploration
• Tutor demonstrations or guided exercises

You will not be expected to share personal details unless you choose to. Training is about awareness, not disclosure. Tutors hold the learning space carefully and sensitively so that students can grow at their own pace.

The personal qualities that help you thrive as a counselling student

There is a misconception that counsellors must be endlessly patient, naturally wise or have everything in life figured out. In truth, counsellors are ordinary people with a willingness to learn, reflect and grow.

Qualities that support success in counselling training include:

• Curiosity – an interest in understanding yourself and others
• Openness to learning – a willingness to explore ideas and experiences that may challenge you
• Self-reflection – the ability to think about your own thoughts, feelings and reactions
• Empathy – a natural inclination to consider how other people feel
• Emotional courage – not about being unshakeable, but about being willing to engage with feelings in a gentle and honest way
• Patience – counselling is a profession where change happens gradually, and learning reflects that same pace

These qualities can grow through training. You do not need to possess them fully before you begin.

What early counselling training teaches you about yourself

Students often arrive expecting to learn about counselling. They are surprised to discover that they learn just as much about themselves. This is one of the reasons counselling training is deeply valued even by those who choose not to become practising counsellors.

You may find yourself noticing:

• Your natural communication style
• Moments when you want to help or fix and how that influences connection
• Feelings that arise when someone shares something personal
• Patterns in your relationships
• How you respond to silence, vulnerability or emotion

This insight does not happen all at once. It unfolds gradually as you take part in group discussions, skills practice and reflective exercises.

How to know when you are ready for counselling training

Deciding whether counselling training is right for you is deeply personal. Here are some signs that you may be ready to begin:

• You feel drawn to understanding people and relationships
• You enjoy meaningful conversations
• You want a career that aligns with your values
• You are open to emotional growth
• You feel curious rather than fearful about self-reflection
• You want skills that improve communication and understanding

These signs do not need to be strong or certain. Even a gentle sense of curiosity is enough to begin.

When training might not feel right just yet

It is equally important to recognise when training might feel overwhelming or premature. You may want to pause if:

• You strongly prefer learning that is purely academic
• You would find group discussion extremely uncomfortable
• You are going through a period of instability that makes emotional reflection difficult
• You want a quick qualification without personal involvement
• You prefer a more directive, advice-giving style of helping

None of these are permanent barriers. They are simply things to consider when deciding on your timing.

The emotional experience of counselling training

Counselling training is often as emotional as it is educational. You may find yourself touched by what others share, moved by your own insight or challenged by a moment of self-awareness. These experiences are part of the growth process and help build the emotional presence required for future counselling work.

Tutors are trained to hold these experiences safely. You are not expected to manage them alone. Training centres create a thoughtful and supportive environment where emotions are respected, contained and explored gently.

Where counselling training begins

Unlike many professions that have one fixed entry point, counselling training offers several starting places. This makes it accessible to people who are curious but not yet ready to commit to a full qualification route.

At Aloe Counselling Training, students usually begin at one of two points:

1. Introduction to Counselling Skills (CPCAB Level 1)

A gentle, accessible course designed for people who want to explore counselling without pressure. It helps you understand what counselling is, what it is not and how foundational helping skills work.

Many students use Level 1 to gain confidence before moving to Level 2. Others take it purely for personal growth or to improve communication skills in their current roles.

2. Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

A deeper introduction to counselling skills, reflective practice and personal awareness. Level 2 is suitable for those who already feel confident that they want to explore counselling more seriously.

It is not yet professional training, but it lays the groundwork for therapeutic work and prepares you for Level 3.

Choosing your next step

If the idea of counselling training speaks to something in you, your next step is to choose where to begin.

Both Level 1 and Level 2 are designed to help you explore counselling in a supportive and structured way. And if you are still unsure, we are always here to speak with you about your goals, questions and concerns.