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Everybody’s a Counsellor Now: Reflections on a Profession Under Siege
By Upasana Kinra | Psychologist and Career & College Counsellor
They say everyone has a therapist inside them. These days, it seems, everyone also has a counsellor, a coach, a guide, a guru, and occasionally, a life transformer tucked away inside, waiting to emerge.
No degrees. No training. Just confidence, Canva, and an Instagram handle.
Scroll LinkedIn or Instagram. You'll find a growing tribe proudly wearing the "Counsellor" badge. Some discovered their "gift" after advising a friend over chai. Others earned it from a two-hour webinar, complete with a colorful, sometimes animated, certificate. And then some once sold college admissions packages, now believing they’ve found their higher calling.
But somewhere in this noisy jungle of hashtags, reels, and shiny titles, the essence of real counselling is quietly losing its voice.
The Curious Career of Mr. KnowItAll
Meet Mr. KnowItAll. A man of many talents. In the 2000s, he sold life insurance. In the 2010s, he became an education agent. Now, in this glorious age of personal branding, he’s rebranded as a career counsellor.
His process?
Ask the student, “What’s your favorite subject?”
Suggest Canada.
Offer a 3-year diploma in Hospitality Management, “because that’s trending.”
Mention PR at least twice.
No psychometrics. No interest inventories. No understanding of adolescent development or ethical frameworks.
Just vibes and visa dreams.
And just like that, a counsellor is born. A college counsellor, no less, shaping futures based on trends, not genuine understanding.
Crystals, Cards & Career Advice
Then there’s Pummy Didi, a 28-year-old psychology undergrad with a ring light and strong belief in lavender oil.
Her Instagram handle, @HealingWithPummyDidi, boasts 10K followers. Her reels include:
“5 Crystals to Attract Positive Career Energy”
“How to Manifest Your Dream Job in 21 Days”
“Signs You’re a Lightworker (and Also Probably an INTJ)”
Credentials?
Completed a weekend masterclass on “Therapeutic Tarot.”
Once helped her roommate through a breakup (it didn’t last).
Reads horoscopes. Writes affirmations. Loves Canva.
She now hosts virtual “Career Discovery Circles” for teens. ₹1,999 an hour. Early bird discount if you bring a friend and your birth chart.
When Misinformation Gets Dangerous
We can chuckle, but the consequences of this pseudo-professionalism are serious.
Every time someone untrained plays the counsellor, a few things happen:
Misinformation spreads.
Clients, especially young ones, receive advice based on assumptions and trends, not insight or evidence.
Mistrust grows in the profession. Genuine counsellors clean up the emotional and cognitive mess left behind.
Worst of all? People who truly need help often get discouraged from seeking it again.
In mental health, this can be dangerous.
In career and college counselling, it can derail years of a student’s life. They might choose the wrong major, the wrong path, or a college ill-suited to their true potential, all based on unqualified advice.
So What Does a Real Counsellor Look Like?
Being good with people is a gift. But counselling is a skill. It’s shaped by study, reflection, ethics, and practice.
A real counsellor is someone who is:
Trained in psychology, human development, or counselling theory. This includes understanding how adolescents develop and make critical life choices like college and career.
Grounded in ethical practice - confidentiality, boundaries, and client autonomy.
Continuously learning and upgrade their understanding through supervision and professional development.
Aware of their limits - and refers out when needed.
Focused not on fixing people, but empowering them.
In short, a counsellor isn’t someone who gives answers.
They ask better questions. Especially when guiding a student's pivotal college and career decisions.
Not a Call-Out. A Call-In.
This isn’t a witch-hunt - it’s a wake-up call.
If you’ve been calling yourself a counsellor, whether for careers, college, or life itself:
Have you studied the science of human behaviour?
Do you understand developmental transitions and client-centred practices?
Are you equipped to handle vulnerable conversations responsibly?
If not, it’s never too late to learn. But please respect the discipline enough to stop misrepresenting it.
And to the weary professionals out there who’ve studied, practised, reflected, and quietly carried the emotional weight of your clients, you may not always go viral, but you are the backbone of the profession.
A Closing Thought
In a world overflowing with noise, what people need isn’t more advice.
They need wise silence, intentional presence, and qualified guidance. Not motivational one-liners, but conversations that honour their complexity.
Let’s reclaim the soul of this profession. Let’s remind the world that helping is not a hashtag, it’s a responsibility.
And the ones who carry it with care… they are the ones who deserve to be called counsellors
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Author Bio-
Upasana Kinra is a psychologist, counsellor, and educator who believes in the transformative power of authentic guidance. When not working with students or reflecting on the future of careers and mental health, she’s busy dodging unsolicited advice on parenting, life, and everything in between.
A Note on This Conversation
The insights shared here are born from a deep respect for the counselling profession and a concern for those it serves. My intention is not to single out any individual or group, but rather to foster an honest dialogue about the diverse qualifications and ethical responsibilities within the guidance space, particularly in career and college counselling. This is a call for collective reflection, urging us all to consider the foundations upon which true, impactful support is built. Let's work together to ensure that "counsellor" remains a badge of trust, knowledge, and genuine care.
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