The OutHouse is an LGBTQ+ specialist charity providing support, advocacy and community services across Colchester and North Essex. Counselling forms an important part of our wider commitment to supporting the wellbeing, safety and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people.
We are looking for an experienced, affirmative counsellor to join our counselling service on a freelance basis, working in-person from our East Hill, Colchester, premises on Thursdays between 10am-5pm.
We are particularly interested in hearing from trans+ and LGBTQ+ community counsellors as well as those with strong experience supporting LGBTQ+ and trans+ clients within a relational, ethically grounded and culturally competent framework. We are seeking:
- a counsellor able to work with both adults and young people or
- separate counsellors specialising in either adult or young person work
For applicants wishing to work with young people, a recognised qualification in counselling children and young people is essential.
Applicants must:
- Hold a recognised counselling qualification where training included 100+ placement hours.
- Be a registered member of an appropriate professional body (e.g. BACP, NCPS or equivalent).
- Hold current professional indemnity insurance.
- Be registered with the ICO.
- Have external clinical supervision in place.
- Have substantial experience working with LGBTQ+ and trans+ clients.
- Be able to work in an affirmative, inclusive and anti-discriminatory way.
- Demonstrate understanding of the complexities affecting LGBTQ+ communities, including identity, discrimination, minority stress and intersectionality.
- Have understanding/experience of supporting neurodivergent clients.
- Have understanding/experience of trauma informed practice.
Working Arrangements
- Sessions are 50 minutes in duration
- Work is offered on a self-employed/freelance basis
- Counselling takes place from our premises on Thursdays
- Referrals are allocated according to client need, suitability and availability
- We currently hold a waiting list, however an immediate full caseload cannot be guaranteed
- Caseloads may build gradually and appointment times may vary across the day
Payment
- £20–£25 per attended counselling session, dependent on experience
- Payment is made per client session delivered
- No additional expenses, retainers or administration time are paid
This opportunity may particularly suit counsellors already working in private practice, freelance or portfolio roles who are looking to contribute to a specialist LGBTQ+ service within a supportive charity environment.
