Volunteer Counsellor (Merton)

Via; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Merton is seeking a Volunteer Counsellor to provide support in their drug and alcohol counselling service. This role is ideal for individuals looking to gain therapeutic experience and work towards accreditation. You will see clients weekly, maintain records, and participate in training, all while adhering to company policies. Ideal candidates will be in their final year of counselling training or have relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Final year of undergraduate degree or higher in counselling/psychotherapy.
• Membership of BACP or UKCP required.

Responsibilities

• See between three and six clients per week.
• Maintain accurate records and report issues to supervisor.
• Participate in training sessions.

Skills

Positive Attitude

Non-judgemental Approach

Desire to Learn

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Counselling or Psychotherapy

Diploma in Counselling

BSc in Counselling

MSc in Counselling

Job description

Location: Merton

Days: 1 day per week

About Via in Merton

Via has a long history of delivering treatment services in London, the South East, and East of England. We are proud to be the lead provider in new partnerships responsible for treatment services, performance, and quality standards in Merton. Working with other agencies, our substance misuse services aim to deliver a recovery-focused, innovative treatment model committed to positive outcomes for all service users. Via Merton has been operating the drug and alcohol service since 1st April 2018, with a dedicated team of practitioners working alongside professionals including doctors and nurses.

About the counselling service

Our counselling service offers individuals private meetings with a counsellor for approximately 12 weekly fifty-minute sessions. These sessions are reviewed to address issues such as addictions, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, self-harm, relationship difficulties, loss, bereavement, anger, depression, trauma, and more.

How you can help

As a Volunteer Counsellor, you will:

• See between three and six clients per week.
• Maintain accurate records in line with Via policy.
• Report issues to your line manager/supervisor.
• Participate in training sessions as agreed with your clinical supervisor.
• Adhere to all Via policies and procedures.

You may also attend meetings and undertake additional tasks to support the counselling service.

This role is ideal for those seeking to develop therapeutic experience in the drug and alcohol field and accumulate hours towards future accreditation with BPS, BACP, or UKCP.

What skills do you need?

We are looking for individuals passionate about our work, with a positive attitude and a desire to learn. A non-judgemental, supportive approach to clients facing drug and alcohol issues is essential. Knowledge of the sector is desirable but not mandatory.

To ensure best practice and safety, candidates must:

• Be in their final year of an undergraduate degree or higher, or in their third year of a Diploma, BSc, or MSc in counselling or psychotherapy training.
• If not in the third year, be at least in the second year with relevant training undertaken or willing to undertake it prior to seeing clients.
• Be members of BACP or UKCP.
• Have completed a minimum number of counselling hours (details to be confirmed).
• Be working towards or intending to pursue counselling or psychotherapy accreditation.
• Provide supervisor and tutor references, with prior approval from Via.
• In some cases, provide their own clinical supervision.