Finding Purpose in Counselling: Rollan Verzosa’s Journey

For many people, choosing to study counselling is about more than just gaining a qualification – it’s about answering a calling to support others. For Excelsia’s Student Life Coordinator, Rollan Verzosa, that calling came from both his professional and personal experiences. 
 
‘As a minister in my church, I wanted more training and skills in understanding humanity – how we all uniquely deal with trauma, grief, addiction, and more,’ Rollan shares. ‘I wanted to gain more skills in how to hold space for someone in crisis and to be a conduit in helping people get back to a state of wellbeing.’ 
 
That passion for walking alongside others also informs his work at Excelsia. ‘As a Student Life Coordinator, I’m faced with all sorts of hardships our students experience. Studying counselling has given me more tools and depth in helping students navigate life, particularly international students who often face unique challenges.’ 
 
At Excelsia, students are supported every step of the way. With a counselling faculty that knows each student by name and brings decades of combined professional experience, learners are guided by experts who are deeply invested in their growth. 
 
Why now is the right time to study counselling 
 
The demand for counsellors has never been greater. ‘People live difficult lives behind what we can mask in public, and everyone needs some kind of support,’ Rollan explains. ‘The NSW Teachers Federation has reported that the number of students with mental health issues has increased in the last three years. There is a need for more counsellors on the ground.’ 
 
Counselling studies don’t just open career pathways – they also transform the way students approach relationships, conversations, and life itself. Rollan reflects: ‘It has helped me to be slow to speak and quicker to listen. You also realise the difficult lives people live and therefore be more gracious to those around you.’ 
 
Pathways and opportunities 
 
Graduates from Excelsia’s counselling programs are well prepared to make an impact. ‘Once you complete the Masters program and are registered with PACFA, you can start your own counselling practice,’ Rollan explains. ‘There are also many opportunities in educational settings, mental health organisations, clinics, and hospitals.’ 
 
For those seeking a career change, a deeper understanding of human behaviour, or the chance to make a lasting difference in the lives of others, counselling offers a powerful pathway. 
 
It is never too late to study – whether that means changing careers or gaining more knowledge in an area you feel called to.