Foundation counselling courses

elena79

I have a degree in psychology and have recently been thinking of doing a foundation course in counselling. I am hoping to get into clinical psychology and I thought this might help with that, while also being something I was interested in and wanted to do.

I was looking at two. One is the PCI college Foundation to Counselling:
http://www.pcicollege.ie/Upload/Upload/File/Application%20Forms/Foundation/Foundation%20Oct%2008-Jun%200912.pdf

And the other is the NUI certificate:
http://adulteducation.nuim.ie/courses/documents/PagesfromCounselling_Skills_2008.pdf

I don't really know much about these two courses. Both are similarly priced about the 1300-1500 mark. This is a lot for me but these two courses seem to offer the best qualification in an introductory course.

The assessment in PCI seems a bit easier. Don't know if this is a good or a bad thing!

Does anyone have any advice on these two courses? Are the qualifications transferable if I go on to study counselling? Is there a cheaper alternative?

MysticalSoul

Hi, I am currently undertaking the BSc at PCI. I did not do my foundation level with them, but must say that I do find the course suit my own needs. Those on my course who did the foundation with PCI have nothing but praise for it. I am now entering my final year there.

If counselling is something you are interested in, having already undertaken psychology, would it not be another option to consider counselling psychology? Chances are you will be covering a lot of the same ground from a theoretical framework, the main difference being supported by the counselling skills.

JuliusCaesar

elena79 wrote: »

I don't really know much about these two courses. Both are similarly priced about the 1300-1500 mark. This is a lot for me but these two courses seem to offer the best qualification in an introductory course.

The assessment in PCI seems a bit easier. Don't know if this is a good or a bad thing!

If you want to do Clinical Psychology, an established course in a good University will be worth more. If you don't know how to sort out courses, ask some of your old tutors, or phone the PSI to ask. Even better, ask a Clinical Psychologist!

You could try the Counselling Psychology course in Trinity. Quite a few people go on from that to do Clinical.

Ava Grace

Not sure with Trinity but for the UCC counselling psych masters you need to have completed a foundation course as one of their entry requirements so might be no harm anyway...

chezdee

I did a degree in pyschology and then applied to Trinity for the masters in counselling psychology as a stepping stone towards clinical. However, I didn't get on the course. I'm now doing a postgrad dip/msc in counselling & psychotherapy in DCU which is great.
My point is if you have a psych degree you don't necessarily need a foundation course in counselling, you should apply for a postgrad/msc. Trinity also has an applied psychology masters which would be helpful for clinical although it doesn't give you the clinical experience. Personally I would recommend the postgrad with DCU.

catussa

Hi elena

I am currently doing the foundation course in PCI and can highly recommend it. The teacher is just great and I enjoy every minute of it (after studying management , which I hated, I finally enjoy studying). The group is great and the classes are based on input from students and discussions. The money is totally worth it and if you consider doing the B. Sc. you even get a University Degree from the Middlesex University in London!

Rgds

elladunne

Hi all,

I'm applying to do a diploma in counselling, i don't know if i'll be able to do a foundation course before it, i just wondered if you could recommend any of the books you used catussa? Thought it would be nice to start doing a bit of reading before course in September.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks all and good luck xxx

Valmont

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

You could try the Counselling Psychology course in Trinity. Quite a few people go on from that to do Clinical.

Considering that course gives a doctorate in counselling I would have thought most graduates become counselling psychologists.

catussa

Hi Ella,

for the course I intend to do after (B. Sc.), a foundation course is required, but I guess if your diploma course does not require a foundation course, you will be given a foundation training in the beginning.
We do not use any book in particular, but are given handouts. However, we were recommended to read books on the main theorists, like Rogers, Ellis, Jung, Freud, Glasser, Perls etc. On Wiki you will find loads of information on the main theorists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapy

Hope that helps .

elladunne

Hi Catussa,

That's great, thanks for your reply, really just want to get a feel for it all.

I was told because of previous experience I don't have to do a foundation course, tho still think one would be worthwhile, have interview next week so we'll see how that goes! Fingers crossed!

Thanks again x