What jobs can you do with a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree?

Courses are specific, so students generally go on to practise as counsellors or therapists. With experience, you could become a more senior clinician or manage departments and teams. Numerous companies offer graduate schemes in this subject area, including BACP. Alternatively, you could work with general health or social services, teach, go into research or start a private practice. Graduates also go into roles such as careers adviser, tutor, nurse, psychologist, probation or prison officer and youth worker.

What qualifications do you need to study Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy?

Entry requirements usually ask for two or three A Levels, with one in a science or social science. You’ll also need five GCSEs in grades C and above, including one in science. Other equivalent qualifications include relevant BTEC, HND, HNC, NVQ, Highers and Access courses. Courses often involve practical experience working with members of the public. You’ll need to complete a DBS disclosure check (for criminal records) for public protection and safety.

What degrees can you study?

BSc Psychology and Counselling BA Counselling and Psychotherapy BSc Occupational Therapy Course combinations mix the subject area with other disciplines such as Criminology, Sociology or Education.

Study Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy, why & how to study

Q: Why study Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy?

These are professions where the means and methods of study and care are constantly evolving. Therapeutic models are consistently being researched, and you can be at the forefront of improvements. Courses provide a balance between academic work, skills development, professional practice, individual personal development and self-awareness. There are plenty of opportunities to work in the community during placements where you'll gain real-life experience.

Q: How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in various ways, including lectures, skill improvement work and presentations such as posters or group talks. There may also be written coursework or end of year exams, depending on where you study. You may also be assessed while working on placement. This is based on a knowledge and skills framework that's fully explained to you once you begin the course.

Q: What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Common postgraduate degrees include: MSc Psychotherapy and Counselling MSc Counselling Studies MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) PgDip Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) Further examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include in Addiction Psychology School Counselling, Career Management and Coaching, Dispute Resolution and Supervision Studies.

Counselling and therapy are essential professions, especially for mental health. Study Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy, and you'll know how to impact people's lives.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 06 Oct 2023

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College Student Meeting With Campus Counselor

What’s Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy?
What Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree?
What topics does a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy?
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree?
What do Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy
Have any questions?

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What’s Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy?

Counselling and Psychotherapy are types of verbal therapy that allow a person to talk through their problems, thoughts and feelings in a confidential and dependable environment. A counsellor or psychotherapist is trained to listen with empathy and without judgement, to understand the patient’s problems and help them deal with negative thoughts and feelings.

Occupational Therapy is the support given to people with mental or physical disabilities. Occupational therapists improve patients’ lives by helping them learn new ways to do things and changing their environments to make everyday tasks easier.

What Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy include:

Options may include an integrated foundation year or master’s degree. Courses include practical placements.

For occupational therapy, degree apprenticeships may sometimes be available, where you can work and earn at the same time as gaining a qualification. You must apply through an employer, and you’re not eligible for student grants.

What do you need to get onto a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree?

Must have

Most undergraduate Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy courses ask for 88–152 UCAS points. Qualifications may include:

A Levels: AAB–CCC
BTECs: DDD–MMP
Scottish Highers: AABB–CCCCC (Advanced Highers: ABB)
International Baccalaureate: 33–25
Some universities will request an interview
Due to the nature of this work, you’ll need to complete Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks (PVG scheme in Scotland)

Good to have

Studied a science or social science at A Level (or equivalent), particularly if studying Occupational Therapy
Talked to a practitioner to understand the requirements of the role
For occupational therapy, work experience or shadowing in a hospital or clinic, care home or day care centre
For counselling or psychotherapy, completed an introductory or active listening skills course
Volunteered in a support role with diverse groups of people, such as for a mental health charity or with disabled children
Found out more about the profession and its work from the websites of bodies like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or Royal College of Occupational Therapy

What topics does a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in counselling and psychotherapy include:

Cognitive behavioural therapy
Core counselling skills and processes
Developmental psychology
Humanistic frameworks
Introduction to listening skills
Psychodynamic counselling
Supervision
The integrative practitioner
Understanding the therapeutic process and ethical awareness

For courses in occupational therapy, modules may cover:

Inter-professional working in health and social care
Investigating trends in occupational therapy practice
Leadership and enterprise: essential skills for practice
Occupational performance through the lifespan
Occupational perspective of population health
Professional reasoning for occupational therapy practice
Structure and function of the human body

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary depending on what you study:

Coursework
Essays
Exams
Presentations such as posters or group talks
Skill improvement work

Why study Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy?

Career-specific skills, depending on your course:

Counselling skills including active listening or techniques like CBT
Development and management of therapeutic groups
For OTs, use of special equipment, such as wheelchairs and hoists, and designing adaptations to living environments
Plenty of opportunities to gain real-life experience throughout your course

Transferable skills:

Communication and other interpersonal skills
Empathy and nurturing
IT literacy
Problem-solving
Self-awareness

Professional accreditation:

Undergraduate degrees in Counselling & Psychotherapy may be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), offering a route to professional membership
Degrees in Occupational Therapy must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and may be accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy graduates earn?

Occupational Therapy graduates will work within the NHS, with most roles paid between £27,000–£40,500 (NHS Band 5 or 6). Higher salaries are paid to those who manage a team or a department.

Counselling & Psychotherapy graduates can also work in the NHS within IAPT services (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) if they have the right qualifications. In 2021, a paid training pathway was piloted for counsellors in the NHS, with training offered at master’s level. Counsellors might be paid on NHS Band 5, 6 or 7 (up to £47,500) depending on their role and experience.

Outside the NHS, salaries can be variable. Other sectors employing counsellors include schools, with pro-rata pay commonly around £25,000–£30,000. Often work is part-time, and many counsellors and psychotherapists will also work in private practice or as part of a counselling agency. As with most occupations, managerial experience brings with it higher earnings.

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What do graduates do and earn?

What jobs can you get as a Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy graduate?

Courses are specific, so students generally go on to practise as counsellors or therapists. With experience, you could become a more senior clinician or manage departments and teams. Alternatively, you could work with general health or social services, teach, go into research, or start a private practice. Roles could include:

Community-based mental health OT
Counsellor
High-intensity therapist
Nurse
Occupational therapist
Probation or prison officer
Psychologist
Social worker
Special educational needs (SEN) teacher
Trainer or lecturer
Wellness coach
Youth worker

READ MORE
How to become a counsellor or therapist

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate courses also offer a way to train as a counsellor or psychotherapist and may be accredited by a professional body. For occupational therapy, those with a first degree in a related subject can take a graduate-entry pre-registration course to qualify. Other postgraduate courses provide the chance to specialise or extend your skills.

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

Advanced Occupational Therapy MSc
Art or Music Therapy MA
Counselling Studies MSc
Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc
Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) PGDip/MSc
Rehabilitation MSc

Similar subjects to Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy

If you’re interested in providing practical support to people or in the workings of the mind, you could also consider:

Have any questions?

If you’ve got any questions about studying Counselling, Psychotherapy & Occupational Therapy, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!