Student Counsellor Placements

Reach Out for Mental Health offers student counsellor placements for trainees who want structured, short-term client work within clear boundaries.

We provide free emotional support to adults (18+) in Essex who are struggling but not in crisis. Our counselling offer is short-term (up to 12 sessions) and focused on mild to moderate presentations.

Who This Placement Is For

This placement is suitable for student counsellors who:

  • Are currently in Level 4+ counselling training
  • Want experience in short-term counselling with clear endings
  • Can work steadily and reliably within defined service boundaries

What You’ll Do

As a student counsellor with ROFMH, you will:

  • Deliver up to 12 counselling sessions per client
  • Work in-person in Chelmsford and/or online via Microsoft Teams
  • Commit to a minimum of 3 clients per week
  • Keep clear, timely records in line with our requirements
  • Escalate safeguarding and risk concerns using our defined pathways

What We Offer

  • A clear service model and defined suitability criteria
  • Monthly check-ins with our Counselling Service Coordinator
  • Induction covering boundaries, safeguarding, escalation pathways, and record-keeping expectations
  • A consistent flow of suitable referrals (subject to availability and safe allocation)

Important: Supervision

ROFMH does not provide clinical supervision for student counsellors. You must arrange and maintain your own external clinical supervision throughout your placement.

Entry Requirements (Please Read Carefully)

To be considered, you must have:

  • Level 4+ counselling training (accredited course)
  • At least 20 hours of face-to-face counselling already completed elsewhere
  • An Enhanced DBS dated within the last 6 months, or registration on the DBS Update Service
  • Professional indemnity insurance
  • Professional body membership (e.g., BACP, UKCP)
  • Capacity to commit to minimum 3 clients per week

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to progress your application at this time.

What This Placement Is Not

To keep clients and students safe, please note:

  • We are not a crisis service
  • We do not provide long-term therapy placements
  • We are not suitable if you are primarily seeking complex trauma work

How to Apply

  1. Complete our online application form
  2. If you meet our criteria, we’ll invite you to the next stage of the process

Applly now by completing our application form

Questions

If you have questions before applying, please contact us at: info@reachoutfmh.co.uk