Counselling - taster courses

[pitstopbunny]

My sister wants to train as a counsellor, but she has no experience and has been advised to do a taster course, to make sure that she can cope with the various subject matter and feelings that may arise.
Ideally she would prefer a home correspondence course, or something local (she is in Southampton) ....does any one know of any such courses or where to look? Many thanks

[*Princess*]

If you look on the Learn Direct website, there are counselling courses in Southampton City College, Totton College, Southampton Solent Uni, Southampton Uni, Eastleigh College and quite a few more.

There isn't much on the Open University, but I think this is because it would be hard to do counselling online as it's a practical course, not so much academic if that makes sense? I don't mean it's not academic in terms of it's not hard cos I imagine it would be challenging, I mean it may be hard to do it online as your sister will need to clock up some hours actually practising.

There is Psychology which she could do through the Open University, so that it's online, then maybe specialise in Counselling later on.

It is REALLY difficult to get into Counselling - most counsellors go the degree route, Psychology then a Masters in Counselling and there are very few places that do MSc Counselling - about 10 in the whole of the UK. It's also very competitive, I read it was something like 8000 people apply for 300 places. To be honest the NCFE certificates aren't really the best way to go, simply because anyone can do them and then call themself a counsellor - the degree route is much more reputable and people will be more wanting to speak to a counsellor who has trained and really knows their stuff as opposed to someone who has taken a couple of courses and is then let loose on people.

Also, it's a bit catch 22 situation as in terms of the degrees, you need experience to get on a Masters but you can't get experience WITHOUT having the Masters. The best way, and possibly only way to get a place is to volunteer for helplines such as the Samaritans or Domestic Abuse/Eating Disorder/Bullying helplines then apply.

It's a long and hard road to become a counsellor, your sister needs to be 100% dedicated but it will be a rewarding career and I wish her all the best in it :o)

[shuggee]

Your sister can start training as a counsellor without having any experience at all.

She can start with the "Basic Counselling Skills" course, one three hour session for one term. From that she can get a place on the "Certificate in Counselling" course, one day a week for one year. Completing this will get her a place on the "Diploma in Counselling" course,one day a week for two years plus, I think it is, either forty or sixty hours in couselling.

What I have described here is, what used to be, the main route into counselling. These courses still exist but they are not the only ones nowadays. Check out your local college. Many colleges provide courses of training up to professional level.

On completion of these courses, plus having the required number of hours counselling, she will be able to join the British Association for Counselling and Pychotherapy (BACP) She will then be able to apply for most counselling positions If you look at job ads for counsellors you will see that they, generally, ask for the "Diploma in Counselling" and BACP membership. This is their website:

http://www.bacp.co.uk/

Your sister would also, of course, be able to start her own counselling practice. She could do this now if she wanted to. There are no regulations governing counselling. Anyone can "hang out their shingle" with or without experience or qualifications. I am not suggesting she does this, however. I mention it only to demonstrate why employers value BACP membership. It is a reputable organisation and has strict standardsof membership.

It isn't necessary to have a degree in psychology but it doesn't do any harm. If your sister does intend to do one, tell her to make sure it has the "Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society. If she want to become a chartered counselling psychologist she will need this.

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