CV Template for Counselling & Psychology Professional in UK | CV Template + Sample CV

January 1st, 1970 Health & Fitness Careers

The Ultimate CV Guide for Counselling & Psychology Professionals in the UK

Are you a counselling or psychology professional looking to create a standout CV in the UK job market? Look no further! This comprehensive guide provides you with everything you need to craft a compelling CV that showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. CV Template
3. Sample CV
4. CV Writing Guide
5. Conclusion

Introduction

In the competitive field of counselling and psychology, your CV is often the first impression you make on potential employers or clients. It’s crucial to present your qualifications, experience, and unique perspective in a clear, professional manner. This guide offers three essential resources to help you create a CV that stands out:

1. A customizable CV template
2. A sample CV filled with realistic information
3. A detailed CV writing guide specific to the counselling and psychology profession

Let’s dive into each of these resources!

CV Template

Below is a blank CV template tailored for counselling and psychology professionals. You can use this as a starting point for your own CV, filling in your personal information and adapting it to your specific experiences and qualifications.

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address]

Personal Statement

[2-3 sentences summarizing your professional identity, key skills, and career objectives in counselling or psychology]

Education

[Degree Name] in [Subject], [University Name]

[Start Date] – [End Date]

• Relevant modules: [List key modules]
• Dissertation: “[Title]” (if applicable)

[Additional qualifications, certifications, or training]

Professional Experience

[Job Title], [Company/Organization Name]

[Start Date] – [End Date]

• [Key responsibility or achievement]
• [Key responsibility or achievement]
• [Key responsibility or achievement]

[Previous Job Title], [Company/Organization Name]

[Start Date] – [End Date]

• [Key responsibility or achievement]
• [Key responsibility or achievement]

Clinical Skills

• [Skill 1]
• [Skill 2]
• [Skill 3]

Research Experience (if applicable)

[Research Project Title]

[Institution], [Date]

• [Brief description of research and your role]

Publications (if applicable)

• [Author(s). (Year). Title. Journal, Volume(Issue), Page numbers.]

Professional Memberships

• [Membership 1]
• [Membership 2]

References

Available upon request

Download CV Template

Sample CV

To help you visualize how a completed CV might look, here’s a sample CV for a fictional counselling and psychology professional. This example demonstrates how to effectively present your qualifications and experience.

CV Writing Guide

Now that you have a template and a sample to reference, let’s dive into some specific advice for creating your counselling and psychology CV.

1. Structure Your CV Effectively

• Personal Details: Include your full name, contact information, and registration numbers (e.g., HCPC registration).
• Personal Statement: Write a concise summary (3-4 sentences) of your professional identity, key skills, and career objectives. Highlight your specialisations and approach to therapy.
• Education: List your qualifications in reverse chronological order, including doctoral degree (if applicable), master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and relevant additional training or certifications.
• Professional Experience: Detail your work history, including job titles, organisations, dates of employment, key responsibilities, and achievements.
• Clinical Skills: List your core competencies, such as therapeutic modalities, assessment skills, and client groups.
• Research Experience: If applicable, include research projects, publications, and conference presentations.
• Professional Memberships: List relevant professional bodies you’re a member of.

2. Highlight Your Unique Selling Points

• Emphasise your specialisations and any niche areas of expertise.
• Showcase your experience with diverse client groups or specific mental health conditions.
• Highlight any innovative therapeutic approaches or research contributions you’ve made.

3. Use Psychology-Specific Language

• Incorporate field-specific terminology, but avoid jargon that non-specialists might not understand.
• Use action verbs that resonate in the psychology field, such as “assessed,” “treated,” “implemented,” “researched,” etc.

4. Quantify Your Achievements

Where possible, use numbers to demonstrate the impact of your work. For example:

• “Reduced waiting times by 25% through implementing a new triage system”
• “Achieved a 90% client satisfaction rate across 200+ therapy sessions”

5. Emphasise Ethical Practice and Continuing Professional Development

• Highlight your commitment to ethical guidelines and confidentiality.
• Include recent training, workshops, or conferences attended to show your commitment to ongoing learning.

6. Tailor Your CV to Each Role

Customise your CV for each application, emphasising relevant experience and skills that match the job description.

7. Formatting and Presentation

• Keep your CV to 2-3 pages maximum.
• Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) in 11 or 12 point size.
• Use consistent formatting throughout.
• Proofread carefully for spelling and grammatical errors.

8. Digital Considerations

• Create a LinkedIn profile that complements your CV.
• If you have a professional online presence (e.g., psychology blog, professional Twitter account), include links if relevant.

Remember, your CV should clearly communicate your qualifications, experience, and the unique perspective you bring to the field of counselling and psychology.

Conclusion

Creating an effective CV is a crucial step in advancing your career in counselling and psychology. By using the template provided, referring to the sample CV, and following the writing guide, you’ll be well-equipped to create a CV that showcases your skills and experiences in the best possible light.

Remember to regularly update your CV with new qualifications, experiences, and achievements. Good luck with your job search!

Download Full CV Guide (PDF)

Was this guide helpful? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our other career resources for mental health professionals.

by Gladys Mae

Gladys Mae served as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute (ICI) from 2010 to 2025. A graduate of the University of San Jose - Recoletos with a degree in Mass Communication (Broadcast Media), she brought exceptional communication and organisational strengths to the role. During her 15-year tenure at ICI, Gladys provided decisive leadership, ensured high-quality student support, and played a pivotal role in shaping a positive learning experience for thousands of students. Before joining ICI, Gladys built a diverse professional background through key positions in the banking and business process outsourcing sectors, giving her a strong foundation in customer service, operations management, and team leadership.