According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, counselors’ earnings can range from $35,000-$80,000 annually. That is in the United State, if converted to Naira , that should be about 9 to 20 Million naira. Even though many will argue that Africa is not yet prepared for theraupic services, i think our society needs counselors and therapy more than the developed world. People are depressed, couples are cheating and marriages are breaking on a daily basis, in fact religion is not helping because we live in hypocrisy and practice the "holier than thou" attitude. It is high time youth consider taking up a career in the field of counseling and psychotherapy because our society is advancing and very soon people will start appreciating such services to help them rediscover themselves and live their life to the fullest?

The good news is that there are institutes of counseling where one can easily register and specialize now in Nigeria. If you think you have the passion for helping people, try and convert it to money by taking up a certificate or diploma course now. Shalom!

Not everybody who calls themselves ‘counsellor’ can provide professional counselling services in all over the world. There is no regulatory body or association for governing the practice of counselling in Nigeria and many other countries. This has unfortunately led to anybody with or without formal training, calling themselves as counsellors.

Therefore there seems to be confusion and misinformation about the nature, role and activities of a counsellor, in the mind of the general public today. ,The term ‘counselling’ is used freely by anybody providing services in the spheres of advising, guiding and healing.

It is important for you to know what professional counselling is, so that you are in a better position to discern the real thing.

Qualities of a professional counsellor
He/she has a minimum of a certificate, diploma or degree in counselling from a recognized counselling institution or University
He/she follows professional guidelines, processes and ethics while providing counselling services to people. These are standards that govern the counselling practice, regulated and monitored by a professional body
He/she does not rely on intuition or personal opinion rather basis their counselling on scientific knowledge, psychological theory, research based approaches and skills.
He/she refrains from advising, fixing problems or providing instant solutions. A professional counsellor is defined as ‘a skilled therapist whose purpose is to release and strengthen the individual, rather than to intervene in his life. He/she does not suggest, advise or persuade, but rather encourages the client to take responsibility for making new choices.’
He/she bases their practice on the science of psychology, and not based on a particular religion and worldview. However professional counsellors are bound by ethics to understand a client from the religion, culture and worldview they come from in order to help them better.
He/she does not enforce their personal beliefs and values on the client.
His/her understanding of the client is neutral, objective, fair and unbiased.
He/she is trained in the acquisition of basic and advanced counselling skills that help build a warm, empathetic, genuine and congruent relationship with the client.
He/she is ethically bound to maintain confidentiality of what clients share. Client safety and wellbeing are protected and nurtured.
He/she charges a fee for their service and meets the client only in a professional setting. Professional counsellors don’t meet clients at home, coffee shops or any other informal setting.
He/she does not provide answers or solutions but helps the client to discover their own answers or solution.

Good intentions are not enough in the counselling profession. One also needs to be professionally trained and qualified to provide quality and safe counselling services. A person who may not have all the above professional credentials, but perhaps has a genuine desire to help people is generally referred to as a ‘lay counsellor’.

Dont miss this opportunity , lectures start with January

I am very interested in this cause I am passionate about counseling. Thinking of doing a professional certificate in an area. Can u publish the list of your professional certificate courses?