How Past Work Experience Can Boost Your Counselling Practice

Dear Fellow Counsellor,

Starting a private practice can feel daunting, especially if you've transitioned from a different career path. But here's the truth: Every experience you’ve had, every skill you’ve learned, and every challenge you’ve faced in your previous jobs can help you build a thriving counselling practice.

You might be thinking, "How can my time in customer service, sales, or any other field possibly apply to counselling?" The answer is simple: Your past experiences have shaped you into the person and professional you are today, equipping you with unique tools that will make you an even more effective counsellor.

Let’s explore how your previous jobs can support you in creating a practice that’s not only successful but also true to who you are.

Your Past Experiences Are a Treasure Trove of Skills

When we enter the world of counselling, we bring with us more than just our training—we bring life experiences, knowledge from other industries, and valuable interpersonal skills. These are all things that make us more well-rounded, adaptable, and empathetic counsellors.

Here’s a list of 20 common jobs and how they can help you as a counsellor:

1. Customer Service 

Skills gained: Dealing with a wide range of people, active listening, conflict resolution, managing difficult situations.

How it helps: You’re already skilled at navigating tough conversations and helping people feel heard and valued.

2. Sales 

Skills gained: Understanding client needs, guiding people to solutions, building rapport, and strong communication.

How it helps: Your ability to connect with clients and guide them towards the right decisions is crucial in counselling.

3. Training/Teaching 

Skills gained: Clear communication, breaking down complex topics, public speaking, leading groups.

How it helps: These skills are perfect for running workshops, training sessions, or even group therapy.

4. Healthcare Worker 

Skills gained: Empathy, care under pressure, understanding of mental health, working with vulnerable populations.

How it helps: You already have a deep understanding of the importance of mental and physical health and how they intersect.

5. Administrative Assistant 

Skills gained: Organisation, multitasking, attention to detail, time management.

How it helps: Running a private practice requires excellent organisational skills to manage appointments, records, and client communication.

6. Human Resources 

Skills gained: Conflict resolution, employee support, communication, handling sensitive information.

How it helps: HR roles provide strong foundations for understanding people’s needs and helping them navigate challenges.

7. Marketing 

Skills gained: Branding, audience engagement, storytelling, social media strategies.

How it helps: Knowing how to market your practice and connect with potential clients is key to building a strong presence.

8. Event Planning 

Skills gained: Attention to detail, organisation, managing stress, interpersonal communication.

How it helps: Planning and executing events is like managing a client’s journey through therapy—keeping everything organized while adapting to changes as they arise.

9. Retail Worker 

Skills gained: Customer service, problem-solving, patience, adaptability.

How it helps: Retail requires a deep understanding of people’s needs and managing varied personalities, which is directly transferable to counselling.

10. Journalist

Skills gained: Asking the right questions, gathering information, understanding different perspectives, writing and communication.

How it helps: As a counsellor, asking insightful questions and understanding your clients' stories is central to your practice.

11. Manager/Supervisor

Skills gained: Leadership, conflict resolution, team building, decision-making.

How it helps: Managing a team teaches you how to guide others, navigate conflicts, and create a positive environment—all essential skills for a counselling practice.

12. Entrepreneur

Skills gained: Business development, problem-solving, risk management, adaptability.

How it helps: Running your own business gives you the resilience and creativity needed to build a successful private practice.

13. Receptionist

Skills gained: Organisation, communication, first impressions, managing appointments.

How it helps: Receptionists know how to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes, which is essential when managing client relationships and schedules.

14. Social Worker

Skills gained: Advocacy, empathy, working with diverse populations, understanding complex needs.

How it helps: You already have experience in supporting individuals through difficult circumstances, which is central to counselling.

15. Fitness Instructor

Skills gained: Motivation, understanding of health and wellness, group leadership, encouragement.

How it helps: Supporting others in achieving their goals is at the heart of both fitness and therapy.

16. Chef or Cook

Skills gained: Creativity, working under pressure, managing stress, attention to detail.

How it helps: Creativity and stress management are essential when dealing with the varied and complex needs of clients.

17. Artist or Designer

Skills gained: Creativity, self-expression, attention to detail, innovation.

How it helps: Bringing creativity into your counselling practice allows you to think outside the box when helping clients find solutions.

18. IT Support

Skills gained: Problem-solving, patience, technical knowledge, communication.

How it helps: As online therapy and digital tools become more common, tech-savvy counsellors are at a great advantage.

19. Hospitality Worker

Skills gained: Customer service, multitasking, handling pressure, creating a welcoming environment.

How it helps: You know how to make people feel comfortable and taken care of—skills that are vital in creating a safe and welcoming therapeutic space.

20. Writer

Skills gained: Storytelling, communication, empathy, understanding emotions.

How it helps: Writing skills are invaluable for creating content that connects with your audience, whether through blogs, newsletters, or even therapeutic writing exercises for clients.

Embrace Your Unique Journey

Remember, your journey to becoming a counsellor is uniquely yours, and every step along the way has equipped you with skills that will enrich your practice. Whether you’re using communication skills from customer service or leadership abilities from management, know that your experiences are valid, valuable, and essential to your success.

It’s easy to feel like you have to “start from scratch” when building your practice, but that’s far from the truth. You already have a strong foundation—now it’s about leveraging those strengths to create a practice that aligns with your values and serves both you and your clients.

Final Thoughts

So, if you ever find yourself doubting your abilities or feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and reflect on your past experiences. You’ve already achieved so much, and you’re more prepared than you realise to build the practice of your dreams.

Ready to dive deeper into how your past experiences can shape a thriving counselling practice? Join the conversation on Instagram!

Follow @abigail_holman for insights and updates on my personal practice, and check out @thrivingcounsellors for tips and support on building a successful counselling practice.

Let’s connect, share, and support each other in this journey. Drop by my latest post and let the community know how your previous jobs have influenced your practice. I would love to hear your unique insights!