Counsellors play a key role in helping people through difficult times — and rising worries about jobs and finances triggered by the economic downturn mean their skills are increasingly in demand.
The debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service reported a rising demand from men in particular, who are suffering the effects of the recession.
Encouragingly, especially for those who want to break into counselling, Dr Hugh Griffiths, the government's mental health tsar, said the government is looking closely at improving access to psychological therapies, according to a Guardian article.
So, if you think you've got what it takes to help people explore their feelings and emotions, and you want to find out more about the wide range of fields counsellors work in, join our panel of experts to find out how you can follow this career path.
Join us at 1pm on 30 July - the discussion is now open for advance questions.
Alan Simmons is careers consultant for the NHS Careers information service in England. He's been with NHS Careers for 10 years, and has a prior background in providing careers advice to people of all ages and backgrounds, but with a particular focus on school and college students. Alan is a frequent contributor to the Guardian Careers' health forum.
Dr Alison Green is a senior lecturer in the Psychology Department at the Open University (OU). Dr Green has interests in various aspects of applying psychology in everyday life and is a member of the OU Psychology Programme Committee, which oversees all psychology qualifications offered by the OU including a new foundation degree in counselling.
Philippa Whittick is vice chair for education, training, education, practice and research at the UK Council for Psychotherapy. Philippa is a qualified therapist who holds two postgraduate psychotherapy qualifications.
Michèle Logue is a trained psychosexual therapist, couple and family counsellor. She works for the Relate Institute, which is the training and research arm of charity Relate. The Relate Institute trains counsellors to become practitioners in relationship and psychosexual work with families, couples and individuals.
Gordon Jinks is principal lecturer in counselling and psychotherapy at the University of East London. As well his teaching credentials, Gordon has more than twenty years clinical experience. He is co-author of How to Survive Counsellor Training.
Sue Elliott has worked at debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) as a counsellor for nearly ten years. Sue helps people find solutions to their debt problems by counselling via debt advice forums, social media and the CCCS' website.
Anjula Sharma-Smith is helpine manager at charity Cruse Bereavement Care. Anjula has worked at the charity for eight years and previously was as a helpline supervisor at a mental health charity and a helpline volunteer for domestic refuge charity Refuge.
Marie Louise Devitt is a qualilfied integrative counsellor. Marie Louise's counselling background includes working as a volunteer counsellor within the NHS, counselling NHS staff. She now works independently as a counsellor in south-west London.
