How does one become a Counselling Psychologist?

To become an ordinary counsellor formal qualifications are not always needed, but often counsellors have a degree or diploma in counselling, social work of psychology.
Counselling Psychologists, on the other hand, must complete a four year study at university, usually a four year undergraduate degree and either a Masters or a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, often following Stage 2 Psychology in year 11 or 12 of High School. After they have completed the degree in order to become fully qualified they must undergo 80 hours of supervised practice.

All together this takes 6 to 8 years.

Here is an example of the programme for a full time psychology student specialising in counselling, (source)

Counselling Psychology Major 307086

Course Structure	Contact Hours	Credit
Year 1  Semester 1
311098  Psy 701 Psychotherapy Skills	4.0	25.0
309544 Psy 795 Professional Practice (Counselling)	2.0	25.0
309531  Psy7605 Interventions Over the Lifespan	3.0	25.0
309516  Psy 711 Psychological Assessment	3.0	25.0
	Total	100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
309529  Psy 704 Individual Psychotherapy	4.0	25.0
309519  Psy 703 Research Methods	3.0	25.0
306530  Psy Dissertation Preparation 1 699-1	1.0	25.0
6726     Psy Practicum 696	16.0	25.0
	Total	100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
306531  Psy Dissertation 1 699-2	1.0	25.0
309534  Psy 710 Couples and Family Therapy	4.0	25.0
309535  Psy 712 Psychopathology and Advanced Psychotherapy  Process	4.0	25.0
6727 Psy Practicum 697	15.0	25.0
	Total	100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
309533 Psy 706 Group Psychotherapy	3.0	25.0
6728  Psy Practicum 698	15.0	25.0
6730  Psy Dissertation Preparation 2 699	1.0	50.0
	Total	100.0