You can become a counsellor by completing a counsellor training course, which should be recognized and certified by the Swiss Association for Counselling (SGfB). This is because they train psychologically oriented counsellors from the fields of individual, couple and family counselling as well as from the field of counselling for groups, institutions and organizations. With the Psychosocial Counselor training, you will be able to counsel people with the aim of managing their lives independently, overcoming crises and developing themselves further. Those who successfully complete the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) become experts in the profession and can use the protected title "Counselor in the psychosocial field with a federal diploma".

In order to be admitted to the Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (AFPE) in Psychosocial Counseling with a Federal Diploma, candidates must have a tertiary degree and at least six years of professional experience in the psychosocial field with a counseling function or eight years of professional experience without a tertiary degree. In addition:

• Proof of at least 20 counseling processes with at least 100 sessions, including 5 counseling processes lasting at least 5 hours.
• Proof of 40 hours of client-related supervision as a supervisor
• Proof of 40 hours of psychosocial counseling as a client
• Participation in at least 8 sessions of a supervision or revision group over at least 2 years
• Supervision by a supervisor for at least 1 year (at least 20 hours) in a counseling competence-related supervision

To be on the safe side, ask the educational institution of your choice about the applicable conditions.