Counsellors Returning After A Career Break
Are you a qualified counsellor who is having a career break (of any length), and gearing up for a return to professional practice?
Perhaps you're dipping your toe back in the water already, and it feels like A LOT.
You are in the right place!
(And if this isn't you, feel free to navigate to my Counselling and general Clinical Supervision pages instead.)
As well as one-to-one clinical supervision sessions, I have recently launched a FREE online network for counsellors & psychotherapists who are anticipating a return after a career break - a place to access support, information, and find a buddy who is in the same boat.
Why is this a thing?
It's my view that returning to a counselling role after a career break has a very unique quality to it, and generic practitioner guidance/support often misses the mark. When I was in this position some years ago, my Google searches unearthed one brief podcast episode on this theme... and that was pretty much it!
If you're a counsellor looking at re-entering professional practice, you might be:
Feeling out of the loop and unsure, in terms of navigating the requirements of membership bodies, insurers, legal compliance and so forth
Noticing an absence of peers and networks that you feel aligned with
Wondering whether your skills have gone rusty, and questioning your capabilities - "am I good enough to sit in that seat again?". The imposter syndrome can be loud, when you're comparing yourself to other counsellors long immersed in the field
Fearing the impact on your mental wellbeing or family life if you resume practice, especially if your break followed a period of burnout, physical illness or changing personal circumstances.
Why am I in a good place to support counsellors with this?
I'm able to bring:
Personal experience of taking a career break from counselling (for a few years, I sidestepped into other non-counselling opportunities in the helping professions, as well as taking a few years out for family reasons). When I was gearing up to re-enter professional counselling practice, finding a buddy in the same position was a game changer in terms of motivation and support - and I'm excited that the network can facilitate this for others.
My experience as a manager in the charity sector, which included supporting staff and volunteers returning after a career break
My experience of designing & coordinating mentoring schemes, skills sharing forums and professional networks to bring people together
My understanding as a certified Clinical Supervisor, having supported counsellors through changes in their practice
My interest in working with burnout and life's transitions, and seeing how important self-care and connection with others can be when you're stepping back into counselling work.
Like to chat? Whether it's about one-to-one support, or joining the peer network, you can contact me here.
