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Insights into a Career in Counselling By Mr Sam Kuna
Pre-Employment Training Pathways for Registered Counsellors
Job Opportunities
So You Want to be a Counsellor?
Pre-Employment Training Pathways for Registered Counsellors
Further details can be found in the SAC Constitution under the section on membership
* Possible major disciplines include Psychology, Social Work or Sociology.
** Training programme must include a minimum of 300 hours of counselling theory and skills practice from accredited educational or training institution and 100 internship hours (of which 1 hour of supervision is required for every 10 hours of counselling practice).
*** Recording of hours commences after completion of Pre-employment training (PET) for new entrants and once training commences for current social and/or counselling service providers/practitioners.
Job Scope
Job Scope Counsellors help people with problems,
needs, and difficulties. They provide individual, couple,
family, and group counselling through listening and
developing awareness. They are skilled in structuring and
guiding counselling intervention. They provide neutral
space for discussions without getting emotionally involved
with the people or affected by the process.
Counsellors are found in many settings, including
hospitals, schools, family service centres, rehabilitation
services and agency administration.
Personal Qualities
Counsellors believe in the dignity of the human person and
the uniqueness of the individual. They respect
confidentiality and privacy. Counsellors are people with
good listening and interpersonal skills. They place
responsibility on each person to decide and initiate
change and are sensitive towards their clients. They also
have a high degree of self-awareness.
Minimum Requirements (Following
Singapore Association for Counselling guidelines)
For University Graduates: In Singapore, the minimum
educational qualification to be a counsellor is to have
completed post-graduate courses in counselling theory with
100 hours of supervised practicum experience. This should
be accompanied with at least one year of counselling
experience. Graduates who are unable to attain the course
requirements may qualify in the Non-Graduate Category.
For Non-Graduates: Applicants must complete a minimum of
300 hours of recognized counselling theory and skills
practice. This should be accompanied with at least two
years of counselling experience.
Basic Salary Range
The starting salary varies from Agency to Agency but
hovers about $1,800 for a graduate and $1,400 for a
non-graduate. This can increase to over $5,000 with 8 to
10 years of experience and having completed a Master's
Degree. Experienced and qualified counsellors can also
take on a managerial or director position within an agency
or department.
Professional Development
There are many continuing education courses and seminars
for counsellors. Post-graduate educational opportunities
such as post-graduate diplomas, masters' and doctoral
programmes are available locally and overseas.
Counsellors can specialize in various branches of therapy
such as solution-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioural
therapy, child counselling, educational counselling,
school psychology, addiction counselling, art therapy,
marriage & family counselling and others. These areas of
specialisation serve as platforms for professional
development. With an advance degree, counsellors may even
set up private practices to provide specialist treatment
in areas of "service gaps" and/or function as Head of
agencies and perform executive roles.
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