A survey of nearly 1,000 members of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) found 92 per cent of respondents said this should apply for large organisations, for example major charities, schools and NHS bodies.
Almost 60 per cent said smaller charities should pay for counselling services also.
Kathy Spooner, director of counselling and psychotherapy for ACC, told Premier sometimes the compassion of therapists can be taken for granted, and it is about time that they are respected for what they do.
She said during Premier News Hour: “We cannot keep doing this work for nothing.
“We are compelled by compassion but we still need to put a roof over our head.
“There are many different historical roots [contributing to] why there’s an expectation this is a loving, giving, missional work that shouldn’t be paid, but that doesn’t always apply to other missional work.
“Youth pastors are often paid; pastors and priests in church often have remuneration.”
ACC said there has been a growing concern in the profession about the tendency for many well-established organisations to advertise for fully qualified counsellors and psychotherapists to work on a voluntary basis, despite the fact that in nearly all other respects these organisations are willing to pay for staff, and other services.
Spooner said: “It’s absolutely routine; I’ve recently seen adverts for an NHS cancer unit and for a major university, [they] are…
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