How do I become a psychosocial counselor? What educational paths and degrees are there in psychosocial counseling?

Entry into the profession of psychosocial counselor usually takes place via a training course. Psychosocial counseling courses are offered by schools with different theoretical bases and orientations, such as individual psychology, humanistic psychology, person-centered psychology, integrative counseling, transactional analysis and existential analysis counseling.

The psychosocial counseling courses conclude with the school's own certificates. At some schools, the certificate is also a diploma in the corresponding method. For example:

• Psychosocial counselor with the school's own diploma
• Transaction analyst, transaction analyst
• Individual Psychological Counselor, Individual Psychological Consultant

Graduates of schools that are affiliated to the umbrella organization "Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Beratung SGfB" can then apply for membership of the association. This membership entitles them to additionally use the protected professional title of "SGfB counselor".

Requirements Psychosocial counseling:

• Most schools expect you to be of legal age, in good physical health, have a good command of German and be of good repute.
• Some schools require a completed apprenticeship or a comparable qualification.
• Training in psychosocial counseling requires a healthy psyche and emotional maturity. It is not a substitute for personal psychotherapy.

Course provider Psychosocial counseling for "Psychosocial counselor (cert.)"