In counselling, the trust between the counsellor and the client plays a big role. As a client, you not only need to trust your counsellor with all of your problems, but also allow them a fair chance to redefine your perspective.
When trying to seek help through counselling, it is crucial to choose a qualified and trustworthy counsellor because not all counsellors are created within the regulatory bodies.
In some regions around the globe, counseling is considered an unregulated profession, which means there are no legal requirements or regulatory bodies for counsellors to be registered or licensed to practice. And this resulted in two types of counsellors, registered and unregistered counsellors.
While both can provide counseling services, they have significant differences. Unregistered counsellors provide counselling services without being certified or licensed by a professional regulatory body or organization. They may have varying levels of education, training, and experience, and may operate independently or as part of a private practice.
On the other hand, registered counsellors are licensed through a regulatory body. Let’s go through the rest of the article to have a better understanding of who a registered counsellor really is, what are the requirements to become one and what are the benefits of working with a registered counsellor.
Who is a registered counsellor?
A registered counsellor is a licensed counsellor or a mental health professional who has met specific educational, practicum, clinical supervision, and ethical standards set by the regulatory body or organization in the country. The regulatory body oversees the practice of counselling in their respective region/country and gives licenses to the counsellors who have completed the recognized counseling program and met the registration requirements of a professional organization.
Registered counsellors are trained to work in various types of counselling, some of the most common types include Couples Counselling, Family Counselling, and Individual Counselling.
The primary aim of a counselor is to assist their clients in comprehending and addressing a range of mental health issues, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, anger, grief, and difficulties in relationships. Counsellors help their clients by providing guidance, insights, new perspectives and psychological techniques.
The requirement to become a registered counsellor differs in every country but they all nearly match the required educational and practicum experience. Let us take Singapore as an example. To become a registered counsellor in Singapore, you need to complete postgraduation in counseling psychology programs that are recognised by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC).
During postgraduation, students are also required to complete their first 100 hours of practicum with 10 hours of clinical supervision. Practicum allows the students to provide face-to-face counseling services to patients or clients while working under the supervision of a licensed counsellor or other mental health professionals. This makes a practicum a critical component of a postgraduate counseling program.
After the completion of the practicum and clinical supervision period, to apply for a registered counsellor, the student needs to complete 600 hours of face-to-face counseling sessions and 60 hours of the clinical supervision period within the span of 3 years after postgraduation.
The requirements of a registered counsellor itself demonstrate that all individuals who carry the title of the registered counsellor are qualified enough to be trusted and have hundreds of hours of expertise. Finally, let’s talk about some benefits you get when you take counselling from a registered counsellor.
What are the benefits of working with a registered counsellor?
Confidentiality and Ethical Standards – Registered counsellors commit themselves to follow a code of ethics, guidelines, and professional standards set by the regulatory body or organisation which includes guidelines for confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries. This ensures the clients receive ethical and responsible counseling services. A registered counsellor aims to help clients feel safe and secure in sharing personal information, as anything discussed will remain confidential.
Expertise and Training – Registered counsellors come through a rigorous and recognized counselling program which educates and trains them practically at a higher level. The registration requirements to become a registered counsellor involve more than 600 hours of face-to-face counseling and other high-value skills. So if someone is able to acquire the title of registered counsellor by completing all these requirements then they are definitely a trustworthy mental health professional.
Ongoing professional development/Continuing education – To continue their registration, registered counsellors need to participate in continuous professional development and training. This means they are constantly learning and keeping up with the most recent studies and best practices in the industry. This guarantees that clients are provided with the most up-to-date and effective alternative treatments.
Tailored Treatment – Registered counsellors are trained to provide tailored treatment plans, this means that they collaborate with their clients to create a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific needs.
Evidence-Based Approaches – Registered counsellors are trained in evidence-based approaches to counselling, which means that they use techniques and interventions that have been proven to be effective through research. The counsellor uses methods that have been shown to work for specific mental health concerns and conditions, based on the available research evidence.
For example, if a client presents with symptoms of anxiety, a registered counsellor may use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which has been shown through research to be effective for treating anxiety.
After getting a better sense of understanding about the benefits of working with a registered counselor, if you are looking to be counselled by one, head over to our website https://incontact.com.sg/ to book an appointment with one of our registered therapists today.
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