Volunteer Counsellor

ABOUT CITY LIT

At City Lit, we aim to help people achieve their goals. As one of the country’s leading destinations for evening, weekend and daytime courses, we inspire thousands of learners with over 5,000 courses each year.

We pride ourselves on offering an array of online and face-to-face courses across a massive range of subject areas including art and design, history, writing, computing, massage, languages and much more. We cater to those with busy schedules, with courses running during the daytime, evenings and weekends.

Our online courses mean that people can learn a new skill or take up a new hobby from the comfort of their own home. Learners from across Britain are able to benefit from joining the City Lit community without the need to travel into central London.

WHAT’S THE OPPORTUNITY?

We are looking for a Volunteer to offer counselling to City Lit students who have requested it, and who need counselling to help them complete their courses. This opportunity would be ideal for someone in their final year of a training course in humanistic/integrative counselling.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Becoming part of a friendly and supportive team.
• Regular ongoing supervision with an experienced supervisor at no cost (fortnightly on Tuesdays at 6.30pm – 8.30pm).
• Reimbursement of travel costs incurred when coming to City Lit for work (when we return to face-to-face counselling). Counselling is currently online or by phone.
• Access to all short courses at City Lit with 85% discount.
• Access to relevant courses as continuing professional development at no cost.

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

• Offering short-term counselling (6 sessions) to City Lit students.
• Conducting initial assessments of clients who are referred to you, and working with your supervisor to decide whether you feel able to work with the client.
• Negotiating counselling contracts with your clients, within service guidelines.
• Attending supervision sessions, and providing the Lead Counsellor with updates and information as required.
• Keeping records of attendance and notes of sessions and, when we return to face-to- face counselling, collecting fees and issuing receipts.
• Working within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework.

WHO WOULD THIS OPPORTUNITY SUIT?

This opportunity is ideal for you if:

• You are undertaking a humanistic or integrative counselling course.
• You have at least 65 hours of supervised clinical practice.
• You have experience of delivering counselling remotely (online and/or phone).
• You have experience or knowledge of adult education.
• You have experience or knowledge of mental health issues.
• You are a member of BACP or equivalent.
• You have a clear theoretical model of counselling and the ability to describe how this relates to your practice.
• You are in personal therapy, or have adequate support to be resilient enough to take on counselling work.
• You have the ability to work with clients with a wide range of presenting issues who are typically aged between 19 and 70.
• You have access to additional supervision while still completing your training.
• You can promote equality and diversity, and can deal with safeguarding issues.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location – Online/Covent Garden

Time commitment – Up to three clients per week, ideally Monday afternoons.