In this post
- Meet Amber
- 1. You don’t have to know how to fix everyone’s problems
- 2. It’s not like the movies and TV shows; and the stereotypes aren’t 100% accurate
- 3. It’s essential to have been a client, and to have supervision
- 4. The values you have as you get started may well fuel your career, but they may expand too
- 5. The industry is not a utopia
- 6. Sometimes the clients who end up loving the process are different to who you’d expect
- 7. You may never know the impact you have on clients (although when you find out, it’s amazing)
- So you know what to expect, do you have the skills to become a counsellor?
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Counsellor

In this post Show
- Meet Amber
- 1. You don’t have to know how to fix everyone’s problems
- 2. It’s not like the movies and TV shows; and the stereotypes aren’t 100% accurate
- 3. It’s essential to have been a client, and to have supervision
- 4. The values you have as you get started may well fuel your career, but they may expand too
- 5. The industry is not a utopia
- 6. Sometimes the clients who end up loving the process are different to who you’d expect
- 7. You may never know the impact you have on clients (although when you find out, it’s amazing)
- So you know what to expect, do you have the skills to become a counsellor?
Whenever you begin anything new – whether it’s embarking on a different career, or trying out a recipe – there is always an inevitable moment where you think, “I wish I’d known that earlier.” One of the best ways to prepare for a career is getting advice from people who’ve been there.
Amber Rules, a practicing psychotherapist, counsellor, clinical supervisor, and facilitator, shares with us some of the things she wished she knew before becoming a counsellor.
Meet Amber

Amber specialises in working with people impacted by addiction. She is the Director and Founder of Rough Patch, an affordable counselling clinic in Sydney, NSW, offering lower-cost counselling and other mental health supports.
Here are her insights into the reality of being a counsellor.
1. You don’t have to know how to fix everyone’s problems
“I thought that being a counsellor was about knowing all the answers and giving people advice,” Amber says. “It was only later that I realised counselling is about compassionately and curiously lending your mind to someone for 50 minutes, and seeing what comes of that.”
People are often drawn to counselling to help others in their everyday lives and out of an interest in human behaviour. But counsellors can’t decide what their clients should do. Rather, they need to listen closely to their clients, engage in discussions, and ultimately help the client come to their own insights, goals, and conclusions.
Key takeaways
- The pressure isn’t on you to know everything.
- You do, however, have to build listening skills to be patient and attentive to what the client has to say so you can facilitate their therapeutic process and help them set goals for themselves.
- Expect the unexpected!
- Conversations could go in many different directions, and your clients may come up with their own creative solutions.
2. It’s not like the movies and TV shows; and the stereotypes aren’t 100% accurate
Amber remembers her own stereotypical views of counselling: “I imagined every counselling office was like the typical psychoanalysts’ office with a Persian rug, Freud volumes and dark furniture!”
The stereotypes aren’t exactly wrong, as Amber says, “I often joke with my colleagues that to be a counsellor, you’re required to own pashminas and chunky bead necklaces, or plaid jackets with corduroy elbow patches.” But they give a limited account of a diverse workforce where people have an array of approaches and specialisations.
“Like the rest of us, counsellors come from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all life-experience,” Amber explains. “We’re all different, which is really important for ensuring anyone can find a counsellor they feel comfortable with and that understands their experiences.”
In fact, it’s important that health professionals have a variety of perspectives and come from a range of backgrounds. Different counsellors build a natural rapport with different clients, so it benefits clients when they have a variety of professionals they can choose from. On top of this, counsellors who are from underrepresented communities can provide uniquely informed clinical services in a range of counselling fields.
Key takeaways
- If you don’t fit the stereotype, that’s okay, counselling practice doesn’t have to fit a strict mold.
- Diversity is important in the industry — it allows for choice, and for counsellors to be appropriately informed about the populations they’re working with. You may be particularly sought after in social assistance, community services, and counselling if you are: culturally informed; trauma-informed; LGBT-informed.
3. It’s essential to have been a client, and to have supervision
Amber believes that having done therapy before she started studying helped her know what to expect out of the career. But there are other benefits too.
In Australia, it’s common for counsellors to have a supervisor, a more experienced colleague who offers ethical, personal, and professional development. A supervisor is like a mix of a counsellor’s counsellor and a consultant or mentor. They also supplement formal qualifications. Professional accredited bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) allow you to find a supervisor who meets high professional standards.
“I believe that regular counselling and clinical supervision is the most essential part of being a good counsellor with longevity in the industry,” says Amber. “You cannot be a good counsellor without having a regular time to reflect and work on yourself, and beheld compassionately accountable for providing good care to your clients.
“In my mind, it’s the same as taking your car to a mechanic who doesn’t know how to drive — they can have all the training in the world, but they don’t know what it’s like to sit in the driver’s seat and actually have the experience of driving. It’s the same with counselling — I don’t think you can truly offer empathy or understanding if you don’t know what it’s like to sit on the client’s couch.”
Key takeaways
- Supervisors provide valuable career development opportunities.
- Taking part in counselling as a client is one of the best ways to learn what to expect, and is also a great personal development opportunity.
- Having someone you can talk to is also helpful self-care in an industry where burn-out is common.
4. The values you have as you get started may well fuel your career, but they may expand too
When Amber decided to change careers to become a counsellor, she was compelled by the desire to do something meaningful and in line with her values. “My values remain the same,” she says. But they’ve also broadened.
“As I have learned more about the structural inequality of access to mental health care in Australia, I have become increasingly motivated to explore ways of making access and affordability better.” She founded her business, Rough Patch, as “a way to try and address the long waitlists and high costs (even with Medicare rebates) of counselling in Australia”.
Increasingly, she’s also interested in supporting counsellors through their careers. “There are so many services who are under-funded, under-resourced, overworked and — the expectations placed on counsellors who work in these systems are extraordinary, and often lead to burn out. So over time, my goals have expanded to include counsellors in the care and support that is often available to clients, but not to us.”
Key takeaways
- Consider what your motivation is: what makes you want to be a counsellor? This is something you can return to as you face career challenges.
- Expect that over your career, your motivations might change as you learn more — counselling is a career path that involves learning and changing over time, well after you first enrol in a course or get accreditation.
Should I Become a Counsellor or a Psychologist?
Discover more about the fields of counselling and psychology, and which might be better for you.
5. The industry is not a utopia
Looking back to when she began studying her counselling course, Amber recalls, “I had an almost utopian view of what work would be like! I imagined lots of really deep, meaningful conversations about therapy and life; plenty of time to think, feel and explore; endless moments of connection and joy.”
Amber maintains that counselling is a rewarding career and an important profession within Australia’s healthcare system. But it’s not all meaningful moments. “My biggest challenges have never been the therapeutic work, but rather the organisations and systems I’ve worked within. I didn’t realise how difficult all of the stuff that sits outside the counselling room can be.”
Amber has found a few aspects of the industry difficult. One was trying to find a job that was a good fit for her, which took a few years.
Another challenge is the salary. “I also expected that therapists made a significant wage. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case,” she explains. “For most of us, it costs a lot to be a counsellor, especially in private practice, and it takes time to be experienced enough to earn more or charge on the higher end of the scale.”
Key takeaways
- Counselling more than just counselling services. It may involve running a business full-time, which can be tough, as Amber explains: “Working in private practice is costly, time-consuming, difficult to get started, and is insecure work”. Alternatively, you may be working with employers, some of whom will be difficult.
- The job outlook is generally good for professional counsellors, but it may take time to find a workplace that’s a great fit for you. Qualified counsellor salaries also rise with experience (you earn more after a few years compared to an entry-level role) but there may be a lot of work involved with progression.
- Counselling jobs are often in underfunded services, which is stressful. “It’s hard to be fully present for a client when you’re worried about these things,” Amber says. “It’s a balance that I have learned over time, but continues to be a challenge.”
- Again, it’s important to invest in your own self-care to ensure that you can sustainably encounter challenges.
24.7%
job growth by 2024
Source
Australia’s Top 6 Highest Paid Fields in Counselling
There are so many different types of counselling careers, how do you decide where to specialise? Check out the top six highest-paying fields in counselling.
6. Sometimes the clients who end up loving the process are different to who you’d expect
“Even after having been a counsellor for quite some time, what still surprises me are the people who really take to counselling as a means for growth and self-exploration,” Amber says. “I’ve often been surprised about the people who really take to long-term counselling and love it, and it still challenges my biases and judgements all the time.”
Clients come to counselling for a range of reasons, including some who aren’t particularly enthusiastic about being there. For example:
- Sometimes young people are pressured to go to counselling sessions by parents or schools.
- Some courts may recommend or order counselling.
- Some clients may be cajoled into counselling by concerned loved ones.
- Some clients might not trust the counselling process.
- Some clients may have behavioural and emotional issues; a mental illness; or health problems. These things can make it difficult for them to engage in counselling.
But even reluctant clients can be rewarding to work with. “I’ve had clients who didn’t really want to be attending counselling,” Amber says. “But by the end of our time together, they were thrilled to have done it. It never ceases to make me smile.”
Key takeaways
- Be prepared to have your assumptions and expectations challenged by clients — they can always surprise you.
- It’s important to be patient as you work with people with different attitudes, needs, and mental health issues. Anybody can benefit from counselling and make positive changes, even if from the outset they seem reluctant or like they’re having a tough time.
- Build counselling skills such as being open to the possibility that counselling may click for a client, and self-awareness of where your biases might be getting in the way.
7. You may never know the impact you have on clients (although when you find out, it’s amazing)
“Counsellors often don’t get to see the results of therapeutic work,” Amber explains. “In terms of gratification, it’s often low-yield!” Often counsellors will see clients over the short-term, for a limited number of face-to-face sessions, so you’ll be left wondering months or years down the track what’s happened to them, and if you’ve helped.
The bright side is that sometimes people do get in touch to tell you how they’re going. “For me, it’s an absolute joy when I hear from a client who says they are doing well, or have been able to shift some patterns they were unhappy with,” Amber says.
“In my specialty of addiction, there can be so much sadness and tragedy that leads people to become dependent, and it’s so rewarding when I get to witness someone healing, changing, and growing. It’s truly the most magical and privileged experience to work alongside someone as they do this work.”
Key takeaways
- It can be difficult not knowing the outcomes of your work. It’s important to have strategies in place or people you can talk to (such as a supervisor) to help you cope and build confidence in your practical skills.
- Building trust and seeing people change and grow is an amazing experience and goes towards a rewarding career and making a positive impact on people’s lives.
So you know what to expect, do you have the skills to become a counsellor?
Learn about five of the most crucial skills to have as a counsellor, and how to start developing them in everyday life.
(Hint: you might even already have them.)
Courses found:
Certificate III in Community Services (Sunshine Coast Only) CHC32015
Prepare yourself to work in a range of community service areas such as Aged Care, Disability, Youth Work and more. The social and community services sector is predicted to experience strong growth over the next 5 years with an excess of 50,000 job open...
Certificate IV in Ageing Support (Sunshine Coast Only) CHC43015
Take your passion for caring to the next level and upgrade your career! The health and aged care sector are experiencing strong growth, with the Australian Government expecting more than 50,000 job openings in the industry over the next five years. Thi...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Sunshine Coast Only) CHC33015
Become a valued and integral part of the health and community services industry with this qualification. You will learn how to support independence and wellbeing, gain a range of technical skills, and develop a range of transferable skills from communi...
Certificate II in Horticulture (Sunshine Coast Only) AHC20416
AHC20416 Certificate II in Horticulture is currently available as part of a school-based traineeship. The Certificate II in Horticulture will teach you the fundamentals of planting, potting and maintaining trees, shrubs and plants, how to recognize pla...
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (Geelong Only) CPC50220
Are you pursuing your builders registration, or looking for supervising or contract administration roles? The Diploma of Building and Construction course will help you achieve this goal. You will learn about the latest building industry skills required...
Diploma of Work Health and Safety (VIC ONLY) BSB51315
Are you currently working in a Work Health and Safety role, and would like to extend your skills and knowledge? This qualification is suitable for people who coordinate and maintain the Work Health and Safety (WHS) program in an organisation. It reflec...
Diploma of Beauty Therapy (Geelong Only) SHB50115
This nationally recognised, Free TAFE course, is very highly regarded in the industry with our graduates achieving a 100% employment rate for the last two years! Advance into the next level of your beauty therapy career, expanding on your foundational...
Diploma of Engineering – Technical (Geelong Only) MEM50212
Are you looking to develop your engineering career, or gain practical engineering experience before undertaking a university degree? This course is designed for those wanting to work as an engineering technician, carrying out tasks such as engineering...
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (Geelong Only) CPC40110
If you are looking to move into estimating/supervision roles within the domestic building industry this course will prove to be a valuable tool. During this course, currently run using MBAV resources and support, you will learn estimating principles, ...
Certificate II in Building and Construction (Carpentry) Pre-apprenticeship (Geelong Only) 22216VIC
Are you looking to enter the construction industry, or get a taste for the carpentry trade before undertaking an apprenticeship? This pre-apprenticeship course is designed for you.
Diploma of Graphic Design (VIC ONLY) CUA50715
This nationally recognised course gives you an immediate qualification to work in a creative, diverse, constantly evolving industry. Advance your natural technical and creative abilities, and learn about corporate branding, commercial printing and free...
Certificate IV in Information Technology (Geelong Only) ICT40118
This nationally recognised TAFE course is for all the future IT whizzes out there ready to step up in their careers. If you’re already dabbling in IT and ready for more responsibility, a fatter pay check, or a promotion, this course is your secre...
Certificate IV in Visual Arts (VIC ONLY) CUA41315
This nationally recognised course, will enhance your creativity and launch your artistic career in the thriving arts world. Find your niche, and learn the techniques of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewellery making, photo digital imaging,...
Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Geelong Only) MSL50118
This nationally recognised, Free TAFE course is tailored for individuals seeking to advance their career in modern science. If you hold a certificate in lab techniques, have a profound love for science, a thirst for understanding how things operate, an...
Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (Geelong Only) MSL40118
This nationally recognized, Free TAFE course is perfect for individuals who have a genuine passion for science, a curiosity about how the world functions, and a penchant for variety. If you’re also someone who leans towards meticulous planning an...
Certificate II in Animal Care (VIC ONLY) ACM20117
Calling all animal lovers! This free, nationally recognised TAFE course is for those with a heart full of love for our furry friends, offering a paw-some start in the animal care world. Opening doors for a career such as: Animal Care Attendant Animal S...
Certificate IV in Building and Construction (SE Melb Only) CPC40120
The Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120) is designed to meet the needs of people working in the building industry and who aim to be builders and managers of small to medium-sized building projects. This nationally recognised qualifica...
Certificate III in Process Manufacturing (Perth Only) MSM30116
Advance your knowledge, gain more skills in Process Manufacturing. This course is tailored to students interested in advanced production work utilising a range of different support functions related to producing products. You will gain skills across va...
Certificate III in Business (QLD Only) BSB30120
Get the practical skills to succeed in business. This course introduces you to business processes, tools and technology, and is packed with practical real-life activities. Whether you are working in the business environment or hoping to kickstart your...
Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational) (Geelong Only) 22261VIC
Are you looking to enter the electrical industry, or get a taste for the trade before undertaking an apprenticeship? This pre-apprenticeship course is designed to give you the core skills and knowledge for the industry, and increase your opportunities...
Online courses also available
Latest Articles
Your Ultimate Guide to a Successful Career in Bookkeeping
Embarking on a career in bookkeeping is not just about dealing with numbers, it’s about playin...
How to Grow Your Bookkeeping Career in 5 Simple Steps
Financial literacy and accountability for decision-making are key to the success of many small to me...
Xero vs MYOB: Which Course is Right For You?
When it comes to bookkeeping and accounting software, the debate often boils down to Xero vs MYOB. B...
Want to read more?
More than Physical Support: A Realistic Look at Aged Care Worker Duties and Skills
Thinking of getting started in the caring career of aged care? Learn about the various duties and re...
Change Careers, Change the World: How a Chef Became a Sustainable Food Educator
What do you do if you long for something more meaningful, but you’re still in love with the industry...
7 Rewarding Pathways into a Community Services Career
The health care and social assistance industry is both the largest and fastest-growing industry in A...