Is a Career in Counselling Right for You? 7 Key Considerations

January 24th, 2026 News & Tips

If you’re a person who naturally listens closely, communicates well, and values empathy, you might have considered a career in counselling. In Aotearoa New Zealand, counsellors are central to building stronger, healthier communities by supporting those in need of practical and emotional help. The profession offers the chance to make a genuine difference, enabling constant personal growth and purposeful, impactful work.

Whether you’re thinking about switching careers or are just starting out, it’s important to understand what counselling in New Zealand involves. Here, we outline six compelling reasons why joining the field may be both professionally and personally rewarding.

1. You Make a Tangible Difference in People’s Lives

Counselling is one of the few careers where your actions can create a real and lasting benefit for individuals, whānau (families), schools, and entire communities. In New Zealand, demand for mental health and wellbeing support continues to rise – highlighted by Ministry of Health research, which shows that around one in five New Zealanders experience mental illness or significant mental distress each year (Ministry of Health, 2023).

Your role might involve helping a young person navigate anxiety at school, supporting a family through bereavement, or providing strategies for managing stress during tough times. Kiwi counsellors often find deep satisfaction in knowing that their work not only helps people cope but also strengthens resilience and wellbeing throughout entire communities.

2. Diverse Career Opportunities

While private one-on-one sessions are a significant part of the profession, counselling in New Zealand extends far beyond. With the right qualifications, your skills are valued in primary and secondary schools, community health organisations, the justice system, addiction and rehabilitation centres, marae (Māori meeting houses), and workplaces.

You might choose to specialise in:

• Youth and school counselling
• Whānau and relationship support
• Grief and loss counselling
• Addiction and substance use intervention
• Workplace wellbeing programmes

Some professionals combine roles, delivering group workshops or creating community outreach initiatives alongside individual practice. Others branch into related fields, such as life coaching or social service management, leveraging the fundamental communication and problem-solving tools that effective counselling provides (NZ Association of Counsellors, 2024).

3. Counselling is a Profession in High Demand

Aotearoa’s ongoing focus on improving mental health outcomes—and breaking down stigma around seeking help—has increased the demand for qualified counsellors nationwide. According to the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, over 3,000 registered counsellors are actively working across the country, with many areas still experiencing shortages.

Government initiatives like the He Ara Oranga mental health inquiry have led to significant funding boosts, increasing job opportunities and prompting the development of new counselling roles in schools, communities, and health services. Online and tele-counselling platforms have expanded access further, making support more widely available across regions.

4. Flexible Work and Study Pathways Fit Your Life

One of the major strengths of a counselling career in New Zealand is flexibility. Many training providers, including universities and independent colleges, offer part-time, full-time, and online options so you can fit study around your life. For example, New Zealand Certificate in Counselling courses are structured to allow students to balance family, community, or paid work alongside their learning.

In practice, Kiwi counsellors can choose self-employment, salaried work in health organisations, or a hybrid approach. It’s common to see counsellors working part-time in schools or clinics while maintaining a small private practice on the side (Careers NZ, 2024). This adaptability can be especially helpful for those with young families or other commitments, or who wish to provide services in both Māori and mainstream settings.

5. Clear Career Progression and Earning Potential

The motivation to work in counselling is often rooted in a desire to help others, but it’s reasonable to seek stable career growth and income. As of 2024, most counsellors in New Zealand earn between NZ$54,000 and NZ$100,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, type of employer, and region (Seek NZ, 2024).

With added experience and postgraduate qualifications, you can move into senior counselling, clinical supervision, management, or even consulting roles for organisations or policy-making groups. There is also the potential to pursue research or teaching, shaping the next generation of mental health experts.

6. Counselling Supports Your Own Personal Growth

Supporting others through challenges often prompts significant self-development. New Zealand counsellors report that through their training and ongoing work, they’ve become more resilient, self-aware, and skilled in communication (NZAC, 2024). This growth extends to personal relationships, parenting, and community involvement.

You’ll gain practical skills—such as emotional regulation and effective listening—and a deeper understanding of your own responses and boundaries. The professional commitment to supervision and lifelong learning means you’ll be encouraged to reflect and grow throughout your career.

7. Possibility of Running Your Own Counselling Practice

Operating your own counselling practice is a unique and attractive path for many professionals in New Zealand and abroad. This step offers the ultimate flexibility and autonomy – enabling you to shape your work around your values, areas of interest, preferred client groups, and lifestyle needs. It could be conducted face-to-face or online for those in regional, remote, or international locations.

The Advantages of Private Practice

Starting your own practice means you are in control of your schedule, caseload, and professional boundaries. For some, the ability to work anywhere, face-to-face or online, opens up access to clients across the country and beyond, supporting better work–life balance. You determine your areas of specialisation, establish your own fees, and design a client experience that reflects your ethos as a counsellor.

Many New Zealand counsellors value this independence and the ability to respond to community needs in a more personalised way. It’s also common to start slowly—building a private practice alongside part-time employment—then transition to full self-employment as your client base grows.

Essential Considerations

Launching a practice requires more than clinical skills. You’ll need confidence with business fundamentals: handling taxes, keeping client notes secure and confidential, understanding invoicing and payment processing, and complying with industry association ethical standards. Professional supervision remains a requirement, and you’ll need to keep up with professional development as your responsibilities change.

Robust marketing is also vital. Building a website, optimising for local search, and using professional directories are practical first steps. Don’t underestimate the power of networking within your region or local community groups—word-of-mouth and referrals can play a significant role in growing your business.

Practical Steps and Global Guidance

The experience of private practitioners in other countries sheds light on best practices. For a genuinely helpful and step-by-step guide, review The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s (BACP) comprehensive resource on setting up in private practice. Their advice covers everything from choosing a business structure and drafting contracts to managing client boundaries and setting realistic business goals.

Exploring this in-depth guidance prepares you for the challenges of self-employment, such as fluctuating income and professional isolation. Many practitioners find that joining a peer supervision group, whether in person or online, provides vital connection and support when running a solo business.

Support Networks and Ongoing Learning

While you may be working independently, you’re not alone. National and regional counselling associations, regular supervision, business mentoring, and local networks are all valuable. Continuing professional development—whether through workshops, webinars, or formal qualifications—will keep your practice relevant and ensure that you remain equipped for new developments in the field.

For those who are entrepreneurial and enjoy autonomy, building a successful counselling practice can be both professionally and personally rewarding. With clear planning, reliable resources, and ongoing support, you can make your mark while addressing the mental health needs within your community on your own terms.

If you value practical empathy, want a fulfilling role in your community, and are seeking flexible and meaningful work, counselling could be the right path. If you’re considering a future in counselling, starting with a well-respected programme can make all the difference. You can explore the Counselling & Psychology course at ICI to see how flexible, practical learning options have helped many people build skills and confidence for a meaningful career in this field.

by Elizabeth Hartwell

Elizabeth Hartwell is a content developer at the International Career Institute. Her interests include comparative education systems, lifelong learning, and the role of technology in expanding access to skills and credentials worldwide. She is particularly drawn to the relationship between education, policy, and workforce mobility. Outside of writing, Elizabeth enjoys contemporary non-fiction, cultural history, and travel, with a particular interest in museums and architecture.