Getting into counseling does not happen overnight and should really not be rushed. After all, you want to support people in the future, help them and offer professional advice. This is not recommended without sound counselor training, as otherwise you will lack the basic knowledge and counseling skills required for this sensitive work. You should therefore first look for providers who offer courses in the area of counseling that interests you and then request some training materials from them. Read through the courses carefully and see which ones are most suitable for your needs. As you have no previous training as a psychologist, counselor, doctor, coach, therapist, social pedagogue or similar, you should choose a course that introduces you to counseling from the ground up and gives you an understanding of this subject area. Some weekend seminars will therefore not be sufficient without prior training and are more suitable as specific continuing education, further training. As a complete reorientation, counselor training will certainly take a few years, but you can do it alongside your current job.

The following training consultants are frequently offered:

• Coaching and consultant training
• Psychosocial counseling training
• Systemic counseling training
• Psychological counseling training
• Life counseling training
• Family counselor training
• RAV consultant training

Here at Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch you will find a wealth of offers relating to training and continuing, further training in a wide range of specialist areas, including offers for consultant training. However, as most of the courses on offer do not lead to federally recognized qualifications, such as a Federal Professional Examination (FPE) or a Diploma of Higher Education (CHE), the courses are structured very differently depending on the school and award different qualifications, such as the Diploma in Stress Regulation, Intermedial Art Therapy or the Federal Diploma of Higher Education (SVEB 2). Therefore, please inform yourself comprehensively about the individual offers of the schools for a counselor training and have all the necessary documents sent to you by e-mail.

There are various official consulting professions:

• Consultant early childhood
• Consultant for respiratory disease
• Counselor in the psychosocial field
• Consultant SGfB
• Animal psychology counselor
• Teaching consultant
• Career counselor
• Fitness consultant

The target groups of the individual training courses and continuing education, further training in the field of counseling are very different, depending on the focus and degree. In addition to counselor training for those without specific professional experience, you will also find courses aimed primarily at psychologists and doctors who wish to gain in-depth training in psychotherapy, for example. Training in existential analytical counseling is very suitable for teachers and pastoral workers, while continuing education, further training in person-centered counseling is suitable for all professionals in counseling, education, social work, health or human resources who are involved in psychosocial counseling and want to expand their knowledge. Please contact the respective educational institutions and enquire about the exact target groups and admission requirements for the individual courses.

Some of the training courses you will find here are considered preparatory courses for federal qualifications, such as training to become a trainer or a Bachelor of Psychology (UAS or university). However, counselor training can also be recognized by a professional association, such as the EMR or ASCA, which enables you to bill your patients for your services via supplementary health insurance. You can also obtain a cantonal practice permit with training in counseling. Please always clarify the recognition of the individual counselor training courses in advance and make sure that you are choosing a professionally conducted and reputable continuing education, further training course.