Starting as a self-employed counselor: Everything you need to know

Whether you’re considering leaving your current role or a total career change, private counseling promises a fulfilling and lucrative opportunity.

In 2022, almost 170,000 workers left the NHS and other core health organisations, with over 16% of those seeking a better work-life balance. If you already have the right qualifications, opening a private practice could give you more control and direction in your field.

Alternatively, starting from scratch could help you to take the necessary steps towards successful self-employment. No matter your circumstances, it’s worth knowing a few essential steps to becoming a private counselor.

Get the right qualifications

The first step should be obtaining the necessary certifications and qualifications. To practice as a counselor, you’ll typically need to have:

• A diploma or one of several accredited counselling courses.
• An undergraduate degree and, occasionally, a postgraduate degree.
• Membership with an official governing body, like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

• Set up a business.

Don’t underestimate the work and commitment involved.

When you set up any business, you must obtain the licenses and permits to trade legally. Appointing staff if you’re working independently is not essential, but brick-and-mortar practices could benefit from administrative teams. Regardless of your approach, your business structure should adhere to patient confidentiality, data protection laws, and health and safety regulations.

Choose your setting

No matter your niche, it’s essential that you set up a professional and confidential counseling environment. Whether it’s an office in town, a home-based practice, or a virtual platform you can access remotely, your choice should be carefully considered. You’ll need to consider the practical reasons behind your choice of setup and your personal preferences.

Start trading safely

With the proper measures in place to set up the physical aspect of your business, you need to finalize the process before opening your doors. Where financial management is concerned, you should establish transparent practices and routines. You might seek consultation from a financial advisor to manage your income, expenses, and tax obligations effectively.

As with any business that provides service to a client, it can be prudent to consider what happens if something goes wrong. If you’re setting up independently, checking whether you have the appropriate level of counsellors’ insurance might be a valuable step to help protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances.

Find your first clients

Finally, you need to develop a marketing strategy to attract potential clients and build the beginnings of your professional reputation. Try to leverage your existing professional network and work alongside peers on various channels.

Traditional marketing techniques shouldn’t be overlooked: they should complement robust social media and online marketing strategies for the most effective results. Once you’ve completed your first appointments, asking for feedback and reviews will help you respond constructively and improve your services – not to mention that positive reviews can be helpful to marketing.