(c) UCT Summer School SS60, Flickr

The decision to train as a counsellor and on which course is a very important one which needs careful deliberation.

If you haven’t already done so, you need to investigate what counselling is all about and a good way of finding out more is to obtain the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)’s leaflet entitled “Training in Counselling” – from British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. BACP aims to promote high standards in both counselling training and practice.

Which Approach?

The next aspect to consider is which approach to counselling appeals to you most. BACP recommends that courses provide a “core theoretical model” and ours offers a psychodynamic approach. It can be said that the psychodynamic model is an excellent base for all counselling and one to which skills from other models can be added later if desired.

You also need to know that BACP implemented a Course Recognition scheme in 1988. (This has since become known as a Course Accreditation scheme). Courses which have gained “Accreditation” meet rigorous standards and “participants” on such courses “might reasonably expect to function as counsellors on satisfactory completion of the course”. Chichester Counselling Services’ training courses are BACP Accredited.

Accreditation.

There is an increasing demand for counsellors both in the public and private sector and you will find that it is expected that counsellors will either have or be working towards Individual Accreditation by BACP. “Those BACP members applying for accreditation who have completed an accredited course after the date of accreditation are deemed to have fulfilled the training requirements for individual accreditation and will not be required to complete that section of the accreditation application form.” If you do not attend an “Accredited” training course “the applicant will be expected to have completed a course which is substantial enough to be regarded as a ‘core training’”. Proving this involves a lot of complicated form filling without the assurance that BACP will accept the training that you have done. (BACP asks other courses not to include in their publicity material the fact that they intend to apply or are applying for accreditation as hopes can be raised inappropriately as occasionally applications are withdrawn, rejected or encounter delays while conditions are met.)

CCS gained “Accredited” status in June 1994 being only one of twenty-two such courses nationwide outside London.

Our courses.

The Web site provides information about the courses available at CCS. These courses provide students with a broad conceptual background in counselling using a combined academic, practical and experiential focus based on the psychodynamic model. The specific aims of the course are:

a) to provide a high quality counselling course so as to ensure a sound theoretical base of all the stages of human growth and development, as well as the relevant ideas and models associated with psychodynamic counselling, social behaviour and personal change.

b) to provide basic skills training and those additional skills particularly related to a psychodynamic approach.

c) to promote the growth of individual student’s self awareness through group work and personal therapy.

Most courses ask you to have achieved at least 100 counselling sessions before a Diploma can be awarded. It can be very difficult to find clients, a suitable setting (rooms) and supervision of your work (an ethical and training requirement). At CCS all the worry is taken out of this for you as from the second year onwards we provide suitable clients, counselling rooms, good administrative back-up and first class supervision. All our supervisors have undertaken additional training in supervision and work in a way that reflects the “core” psychodynamic model. Do not underestimate how difficult it might be to find clients, a place to work and supervision with a supervisor with an approach compatible with your training. At CCS the anxiety is taken out of this for you in the fully integrated package we offer.

How much of your time?

You may also be wondering about the amount of time to allow. Participating in a professional training as part of a career whether paid or voluntary can be demanding. It requires time and commitment and, to use a cliché, “the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.” However, most trainees become fascinated by the work and eager to know more.

Pre-qualifications?

Though we do not ask for academic qualifications, you will need the capacity to understand and apply theory. We have found some of our most naturally gifted counsellors are not always those with the highest academic qualifications.

In addition to the guiding concepts and assumptions reflected in an Accredited course ( listed in the BACP pamphlet previously mentioned ) we also offer pastoral care and tutorial support throughout the training to help you meet the challenges and rewards inherent in achieving your potential as a counsellor, in this way your development is encouraged and a very professional service is offered to our clients.

Which Training Course?

If you have never trained as a counsellor before, you will start with our Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Skills/Theory. This is one year’s training, awards you a certificate and (optionally) leads onto our diploma course.

If you have received previous counselling skills training, you may consider starting with our Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. This is two years’ training awards you a diploma and (optionally) leads onto our MA.

If you have received our diploma in counselling, you may go onto our MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice.  This is a minimum of two years and awards you a Master of Arts.

To summarise – our training courses are:-

• Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Skills/Theory
• Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
• MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

Apply to Train as a Counsellor with Chichester Counselling Services.

Your next step is to complete and submit an application form. Download the application form from the Downloadable Leaflets Section (right hand side column).

If you feel you are eligible for entry into the second year of the diploma course (see the criteria) please complete the relevant parts in the application form.

All applicants will hear by letter whether or not you have been successful in reaching the interview stage.

Paul Smith
Training Manager