COUNSELLOR BAND 5/6

Job Description:

Counsellor Band 5 or Band 6

• You'll hold sessions with individuals and groups in a safe and confidential environment. You'll encourage your patients to examine their choices and find their own way to make a positive change.
• Some counsellors specialise in working with particular problems, such as depression, bereavement, loss or addiction. Others work with particular groups, such as children and young people.
• You could work in a wide range of contexts and at different levels. Within the NHS, most counsellors work in an NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Service (formerly known as IAPT). Here, experienced counsellors with specific accreditations are trained to deliver forms of counselling and psychotherapy particularly recommended for depression.

Other counselling roles within NHS-funded services may:

• provide help, care and support to patients with cancer and their families
• work with people who have drug- or alcohol-related problems
• help people understand and deal with genetic disorders
• provide support for families with an unplanned pregnancy

Your role depends on building a relationship with your patients. You'll do this by:

• agreeing with them what will be discussed
• encouraging them to talk about their feelings
• listening carefully, asking questions and checking that you understand their situation
• empathizing with the patients issues, but challenging them when necessary
• helping patients to see things more clearly or in a different way

• You'll encourage your patients to examine their choices and find their own way to make a positive change.
• You could work in community centers, GP surgeries, hospitals, schools or advice centers. You could also counsel people over the phone or by video call.
• You will be provided with ongoing supervision to help you engage in self-reflection, seek and respond to feedback, and develop your professional knowledge and skills.