Psychological Counsellor I

How to Apply: Visit the KISE recruitment portal at recruitment.kise.ac.ke to submit your application.

Prove Your Counselling Craft Before the Interview Panel

Counselling roles at KISE attract candidates who can talk about empathy but struggle to show structured practice. The panel will be looking for evidence you can assess, document, and refer ethically within an educational setting.

1. Map your assessment framework: On your CV, name the specific intake or assessment tools you have used, such as genograms, mental status exams, or standardised screening inventories. Hiring managers for counsellor posts want to see that your first session follows a repeatable process, not just a friendly chat. Describe one case where your initial assessment changed the direction of the therapy.

2. Show you can write a counselling contract: Mention how you negotiate confidentiality limits, session frequency, and goals with clients. KISE deals with learners and families, so demonstrate you can explain these boundaries in plain language. A bullet on your CV like 'Developed written counselling contracts with 40+ clients' signals professional maturity.

3. Quantify your referral network: List the types of specialists you have referred to, such as psychiatrists, educational assessors, or speech therapists. The panel will probe how you decide when a case is beyond your scope. Be ready to describe one referral you made and how you followed up.

4. Bring a de-identified case note sample: Prepare a one-page sample of your documentation style, with all identifying details removed. Counselling roles in institutions live or die by record-keeping, and KISE will want to see you can maintain confidential, legible files. Walk the panel through how you structure progress notes and store them securely.

5. Address the three-year experience requirement head-on: If your experience is at Psychological Counsellor II level or comparable, spell out your cumulative months and the settings. Use your CV to show a clear progression from supervised practice to independent caseloads. The panel will check that you meet the minimum service period, so make it easy for them.

6. Prepare for questions on special education contexts: KISE works with learners who have special needs, so expect scenarios involving children with autism, intellectual disabilities, or hearing impairments. Read up on how counselling adapts for non-verbal clients or those using assistive communication. Even if you have not worked in special education, show you have thought about accessibility.

7. Demonstrate professional body membership: Carry your current practising licence or membership card from a relevant body such as the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association. The panel will verify good standing, so have your registration number ready. If your membership lapsed, renew it before the interview and bring proof.

8. Rehearse a mock intake session: Ask a colleague to role-play a client presenting with anxiety or academic stress, and practise your opening, assessment questions, and closing summary. Record yourself if possible and check your pacing, empathy statements, and how you explain confidentiality. The panel may use a role-play to test your actual counselling skills, not just your theory.