Everyone requires someone to be there for them on occasion. And 'being there' is an apt description of the function of residential counsellors. A psychiatric hospital, halfway house, group home, or housing project may be used as a residence. It could even be a prison or a juvenile correctional facility. In rare situations, the counsellor may be compelled to live on-site. 

People who need residential counselling may have severe disabilities or mental problems, or they may lack even the most fundamental social and living skills. They may even resent the fact that they require the assistance of a counsellor. 

The job might be emotionally exhausting at times, but if you care about people and want to help those in need, being a residential counsellor can be highly gratifying. Few occupations provide the amount of personal fulfilment that comes from knowing you've helped someone cope with their challenges and begin to live a happy life. 

A minimum of two years of post-secondary education in social work, psychology, or the behavioural sciences is required. A residential counsellor, on the other hand, must have patience, compassion, and a genuine desire to help people.