Be a PF Counsellor

Be a PF Counsellor

Volunteering as a Counsellor with the PF Counselling Service is professionally and personally satisfying, as well as being crucial to our service.

The PF Counselling Service offers an opportunity for counsellors to provide counselling on a voluntary basis to clients from a wide range of backgrounds. Our current requirement is for more experienced counsellors who are qualified to diploma level, who may be working towards BACP, COSCA or UKCP accreditation. However we also welcome applications from trainees who already have some supervised counselling experience, and we have limited opportunities for trainee first placements.

Counselling at the PF offers a lot more than ‘hours in your professional log’.  With a community of over 100 counsellors from numerous backgrounds and modalities, the PF is a lively, friendly, professionally and personally supportive environment.  Our Counsellors’ Room and Library provides a sociable space for informal exchanges in your time between clients, over tea and biscuits (provided free!), as well as somewhere to write notes, reflect and read.

You can read some of the things our counsellors have to say about the PF on our Counsellor Feedback page.

Volunteer counsellors are required to work with at least three clients per week, but you are welcome to have more clients than this, according to your capacity. In return we provide one hour of individual supervision plus the opportunity to join a two-hour monthly supervision group, subject to availability, free of charge. We offer a minimum of two CPD workshops per year, either fully funded by the PF or at a significantly reduced cost. Our aim is to develop a centre of excellence for the counselling of adults in Edinburgh.

You would be required to be cleared under the PVG Scheme Membership Disclosure (Working with Protected Adults).

If you are interested in being a volunteer counsellor at the PF

Qualified Counsellors who would like to work with our diverse, disadvantaged, and sometimes complex client presentations are particularly welcome at the PF.

Student Counsellors looking for First or Second placements can also apply to the PF.  We receive a large number of requests for placements, with limited space for only a small proportion of applicants.  Make sure you tell us what you will be contributing to the life and community of the PF!

Applications

If you would like to join our highly respected team of counsellors, please send the following to the Director:

  • a copy of your full CV
  • a short statement outlining why you would like to volunteer with us, and what you would offer
  • the days and times you would be available to see clients
  • the name of two referees who are familiar with your counselling work (e.g. supervisor, tutor).

If you have any questions, please contact the Director using our web form or by email:

alison(at)pfcounselling.org.uk