Originally Posted by
mikeandcaroline
So is a level 5 qualification in NZ not seen as the level to allow you to practice as a counsellor?
Does the NZAC say you have to be above Level 5 to practice?
When did you have your qualification assessed before or after you emigrated?
We have seen quite a few jobs for counsellors that dont mention the need for a particular level of qualification is there an assumption that you will be qualified to a certain level?
Have you been practising as a counsellor in NZ or was all your work experience from the UK?
Any help and guidance gratefully received.
Hi Mikeandcaroline
It's a tricky one when you 'know' you're a qualified practitioner in the UK, but unless you hold a level 6 NZQA equivalent in NZ you are not able to become a member of NZAC. The knock on effect from that is not being able to register with other service providers, to maintain a steady income. Because the training courses here are to a level 6, anything under that is not fully regarded as being fully 'qualified', which is why CAPL has been such a godsend.
I was lucky as I found employment very quickly in the role of being a counsellor and a mental health service coordinator, so managed to bridge the two, whilst working towards my BA.
As in the UK anyone can use the title counsellor, but and this is a BIG difference, cannot use the title or even the word psychotherapist in any way to refer to themselves or their service unless a registered psychotherapist here. Difficult when the training in the UK can encompass both.
I had my qualification assessed before I left, but was so determind to make this work came over anyway
And it did.
Yes, I believe there is an assumption on the whole that a counsellor here will have at least a level 6 qualification, and there's a lot of assuming going on in general I have found in the culture.
I am working in NZ and have been since we got here, as a counsellor. I'm not in private practice
and loving it. To gain the BA I had to have expereince of working here also, to demonstrate an understanding of the culture here being one of a bi cultural nature and not multi cultural as in the UK.
Please feel free to PM or email me if you'd like to know more of my journey. Good luck to you both in getting over here.