Are you made to be a Counsellor?

For someone who wants to pursue a career in Counselling in Malaysia, it is advisable to first take up a Master in Counselling and upon graduation apply to be a Registered Counsellor with Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia( Malaysian Board of Counselling). Several universities here offer the Masters of Professional Counselling or Master of Education

( Guidance and Counselling) like HELP University , Monash University , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaya.

"Why do you want to be a Counsellor?" I bet my bottom dollar that everyone who is thinking of taking up Counselling is convinced they are on the right path. Often it is a personal journey that has culminated in this decision. Everyone has their own story to tell. The more important question is " Are you made to be a Counsellor?"

Are there issues in your own life you have yet to deal with?

It is a job that requires you to listen firsthand stories of abuse, betrayal, rejection, depression abandonment, distress, grief and loss, disappointment and hopelessness. Are you able to deal with the relentless tales of woe, day after day ? If you find that sad stories haunt and affect you deeply so that you cannot function, then you need to work on yourself first. To complete a full marathon in a respectable time, you need to train at least 3 months. Are there issues in your own life that you have yet to deal with? Deal with them first.

Sure you would have learnt all the theories and techniques of how to help your clients and sometimes there is success when clients go away from your sessions empowered and energised to start again. Are you prepared for other times when there seems to be no release from the pain and confusion no matter what you do? You think, "This technique has worked with many clients, it should work again with this one." Unfortunately you are wrong! For some reason, your client is still as miserable after many sessions and you are depressed!

The harsh realities of a career in Counselling can lead to burnout although there is much joy too. Besides self-care, the personality and of the Counsellor is undoubtedly extremely important in the long run.