Counsellors work closely with clients to provide information on social, environmental and educational issues, helping clients to identify and work through issues in their lives, careers and relationships.
Counsellors may work in a variety of industries, including working in school counselling, drug and alcohol counselling, rehabilitation counselling and relationship counselling. As such, the nature of your work and the issues you discuss with clients will vary, depending on your role. However, you can generally expect to perform tasks like:
- Meeting with clients and asking questions to determine their background, environment and emotional and social issues;
- Examining and recording information relevant to the client and assessing client needs and goals;
- Providing information and resources to the client, including career advice, study and employment options, skills training, resources for drug and alcohol abuse, and information about other services;
- Conducting group or couple interviews with client and other family members, partners and relevant stakeholders;
- Assisting clients and stakeholders with understanding and adjusting attitudes, expectations and behaviours to develop more effective interpersonal relationships;
- Providing and demonstrating cognitive behaviour tools and therapies;
- Discussing avenues for behaviour change;
- Consulting with clients to develop rehabilitation plans, taking into account the broader societal context of the client’s environment, and their specific emotional and social needs;
- Providing general information, understanding and advice to clients.