Arts & Humanities

Volunteering and counselling

Arts & Humanities

Posted by: sukhy

22nd Nov 2011 08:11am

Can anyone help me..I am based in Auckland and would like to know how I can volunteer and develop counselling skills at the same time..A double whammy if you like...tried telephone counselling and it just wasnt for me..need to do more face to face but I don't have the qualifications..

Comments 4

Anonymous
  • 13th May 2014 08:57pm

Have you ever thought of Lifeline... awesome training, very rewarding experience. :-)

Angel
  • 18th Nov 2012 10:47pm

Hopemyou've found something in the last year I'm doing community services which is a welfare course and you have to do volunteer work as a part of it..mof you already have our ticket do some free stuff... If you haven't been trained don't!!!!!! No matter how much life experience you have you can't possibly do it with out the training...

simla
  • 29th Sep 2012 05:15pm

hi sukhy, In my experience counsilling is a serious business, it impacts on peoples lives in a HUGE way, all counsellors need extensive study to equip them for this. It's a good thing you have a passion for this, as when the going gets rough, it is this that will keep you going. Firstly, there are correspondence courses [University of Tasmania has an excellent one] in Social Work with a component in Philosophy as a part of it to allow you to develop a balanced viewpoint, a quality often missing in welfare cases[no biases allowed] ...You'll end up with a B.A.[ Bachelor of Arts Degree .] You'll also have the opportunity of adding Psychology to the list of electives, another string to your bow...the entry requirements are not that strict for mature aged students, so give it a go. Good luck, cheers, Simla.

sherri
  • 3rd Dec 2011 11:28am

speaking from an Australian perspective:

Would have thought telephone counselling as the easiest practical form to access, but you have already done so,and it is not for you.

Very few volunteer orgs use volunteer counsellors unless they have the appropriate formal qualifications....(for obvious insurance reasons) - but if you are able to pursue those qualifications, then part of your course will be a practicum that may well lead to further opportunities.

As I said, I don't know the NZ landscape, but I have a NZ friend (from Christchurch) who is studying counselling here in Tas She may have some ideas. If I remember to ask her when she returns in the new year, I will post another reply here.

Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.

AMCS
Australian Marine Conservation Society are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of scientists, educators and passionate advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
Reach Out
ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.