pci college

ilovebiccies

hi all....i have just started studying in pci college and was womndering have many of you studied there? counselling and psychotherapy...long road ahead but am wondering if i am going in the right direction or would anyone advise anywhere else. i am only in the foundation course at the moment. its very expensive to continue and i am just wondering if you can claim back part of your fees like with most other colleges and also if it is recognised fully by the iacp? i have looked up information butas i am very new to the studying life i am not sure if i understood properly or even looked up the corrrect typr of info.

any help would be greatly appreciated. x

Vinny-Chase

Hey Ilovebiccies, I was looking into doing the intensive foundation course @ PCI. Early days for you I know but how have you found the course?

Also as an aside has any one else studied at this college? What are the opinions of people here?

ilovebiccies

hi vinny-chase....only three weeks in but i really love the course. its vey ver interesting and we have a great bunch in our class.

Odysseus

I never studied there, but I know people who have, and have encountered quite a few PCI students at various events. I have in general been impressed at the educational level of the students I have met.

On the accreditation side of things, my understanding is that PCI lost its accreditation with the IACP, still ok with IAAAC; however, as far as I know the reason they lost it was due to someone dropping the ball and not having the paperwork done in time. However, don't take my word on this; you are entitled as a student to get a full answer to this question from the college. It dependson what type of work you do, but there are other professional bodies out there apart from IACP, it comes across sometimes as they are the only body for psychotherapy.

What course are you doing and what level? The BSc or BA [I can't remember the exact qualification] in addiction counselling is well thought of in the addiction field. Even though I hate that term addiction counsellor, it's such a limiting term; however, that's for another thread.

Personally I think there are better courses out there, but a lot of these are post-grad. I do know that it has helped a lot of people get started. I know you noted yourself it's going to be a long road, being a therapist is. I'm on my second masters at the moment, so I would suggest that whatever course you are doing there, that you also need to give a small amount of time to what you will do next once you qualify. Anyway best of luck with your studies, therapeutic work is difficult work, but with saying that you will always have lots of challenges in your consulting room.

ilovebiccies

thanks odysseus....

long long long road yet as i am only doing a foundation course this year which is a requirement for the degree course in counselling and psychotherapy with pci.

i am really enjoying it and know there are some colleges that you could go straight into the degree course without the foundation but i think this is a good year to give me an insight as to what it may be like and help me decide. rathjer than hrowing myself striaght in at what i would class as the deep end.

i am just woried that of i chose to continue with the degree and then at the end of it my qualification is not recognised and i would have wasted my time.

Vinny-Chase

Hey Odysseus,
Was just wondering, you mentioned other courses, any ones in particular that would be worth checking out?

I was looking to do the advanced foundation as a starter to further develop into a career for counselling/ therapist. This does not commence until January. I have literally only started looking so would appreciate any assistance you, or any one else could offer.

Any distance learning/ part time courses aside from the PCI course? Or the best option to develop further.

Many thanks.

ilovebiccies

hi vinny-chase...the advanced foundation in pci is actually intensive foundation which is the very same course as the foundation its just condenswed into four months instead s you do it twice a week and a weekend or two instead of once a week for a full year. same course content.

Vinny-Chase

That was actually a typo on my part. I meant intense. My bad

Odysseus

Vinny-Chase wrote: »

Hey Odysseus,
Was just wondering, you mentioned other courses, any ones in particular that would be worth checking out?

I was looking to do the advanced foundation as a starter to further develop into a career for counselling/ therapist. This does not commence until January. I have literally only started looking so would appreciate any assistance you, or any one else could offer.

Any distance learning/ part time courses aside from the PCI course? Or the best option to develop further.

Many thanks.

DBS, The independant College both run BAs, HDips, and MAs which are worth checking out as a starter.

Bobbity

Hi all,
I've just completed my Foundation course in Counselling & Psychotherapy at IICP in Tallaght. I did get a place with PCI to do the BA Degree in same, but I didn't take it up because I was told you have to find your own work/training placements. Does anyone know if this is correct info as girl in PCI didn't seem to know a lot about it.
I have looked into doing it in Liberties college or IICP, does anyone know much about Liberties? Also any courses recomended for me to do in the meantime, I would love to start my degree in Spring, but most courses seem to be Sept-May.
I'm thinking along the lines of addiction therapy, children, young people......
Any advice for me.

Vinny-Chase

Hi Bobbity,
Just curious as to why having studied in IICP would you not continue there?

I'm doing the foundation course in PCI in January and going to look to go on and do the degree from there on.

Is there opinions here between the two colleges?
Is one better than the other?

krankykitty

Bobbity wrote: »

Hi all,
I didn't take it up because I was told you have to find your own work/training placements.

Think this is pretty standard - in DBS you have to find your own placements also (although there is a certain level of support from the college in doing so)

Odysseus

krankykitty wrote: »

Think this is pretty standard - in DBS you have to find your own placements also (although there is a certain level of support from the college in doing so)

I'm out of there a few years now, but I think I still correct the Psychoanalysis students where supplied with clinical placements. However, the clinical aspect is connected to the School of Psychotherapy in St Vincents. Ah the memories of the case presentations in the Hosp every Wednesday morning, wish I could still go to them really:(

Was your course counselling and psychotherapy KK? How it is becoming more common for student to have to find their placements.

krankykitty

I did Counselling and Psychotherapy all right, Odysseus.. For that course anyway, there was a placement officer to help you find place to work, however the official line given by the college was that it was ultimately your own responsibility to find work.

Some people were lucky and got totally suitable placements, some got totally unsuitable (unethical even!) places from the college, and some got ones that didn't give them enough clients to fulfill the criteria of the course, so they ended up having to go looking for another placement themselves anyway. It was a huge source of stress if you were having difficulties finding a place, so I can see why it would be a big draw if a course would provide the clients for you.

Odysseus

krankykitty wrote: »

I did Counselling and Psychotherapy all right, Odysseus.. For that course anyway, there was a placement officer to help you find place to work, however the official line given by the college was that it was ultimately your own responsibility to find work.

See that is why us Lacanian psychoanalysts are special;)

krankykitty

Odysseus wrote: »

See that is why us Lacanian psychoanalysts are special;)

LOL, it's just as well you were supplied with clients, ye had your hands full trying to understand all that Lacan stuff without being stressed with that placement stuff

Bobbity

It's not that I have a problem studying with IICP, they are lovely, I just wanted a feedback about Liberties College and PCI about work placements, as I know IICP will get you placements.
I probably will do my degree with IICP if I can get in, but there is a waiting list as far as I know, and they just don't take anyone. I'm trying to keep my options open here.
I would enrol for the Jan 2011 degree with PCI if I thought at the end of it I would get accreditation, but I'm not too sure on that. I would love someone to enlighten me. Sorry to highjack your thread, ilovebiccies.

Vinny-Chase

Bobbity wrote: »

I would enrol for the Jan 2011 degree with PCI if I thought at the end of it I would get accreditation, but I'm not too sure on that. I would love someone to enlighten me.

No accreditation?! :eek: Yikes! Is that true?

Bobbity

I said I wasn't too sure, Vinny chase, so don't quote me on it.
I was looking for someone else to enlighten me.

Jason b

Hi all,


I am currently a student at PCI College and i feel ethically bound to inform those interested in studying there of a number of current concerns faced by existing students in order to enable anyone considering PCI to make an informed decision.


Firstly PCI currently holds no IACP course recognition which they let lapse and are currently trying to sort out... This will not affect individual accreditation as it is done on an individual basis but does pose the question, how PCI could let this happen?


Another thing that is vital and offered by most, if not all, other colleges, but not PCI is Group Counselling and Group Therapy. As these are requirements for accreditation with a number of accrediting bodies and indeed for European accreditation. PCI have been asked by students for a number of years to introduce these and have refused. They are now looking at changing this because they are one of the last to do so but it will not come into affect until next year at the earliest. So for now students have to spend extra time and money outside to get the same education offered in house in most other colleges.


PCI are intending to merge two second year classes into one third year class after the summer. A class of 21 is currently planned which will dramatically affect the potential for learning. It would seem that class numbers are set to rise so it might be an idea to ask them when you apply how many will be in a class.


PCI is not a big college and rooms are not equipped to accommodate such groups. Please note that PCI is NOT equipt to a high standard technologically or otherwise, rooms are cramped even with a small group. Although PCI are trying to improve resources such as adding books to the library this has made little or no impact to students.


Feedback/grades on assignments be prepared to wait months 2,3, even 4 months.



As there are a lot of changes currently taking place students find we get different answers to the same question depending on who we ask. There is a massive concern around a lack of communication between staff themselves and between staff and students. There is currently a bigger concern as students frequently feel ignored and brushed off when important questions are posed.


I must also let you know that after every module a feedback sheet is filled in by every member of the class which actually asks on the bottom can we quote your positive feedback... no mention of anything negative is ever made.


PCI have a high standard of lecturers which are a credit to them but it is important that people are aware of current concerns of students so you can make the best decision for your future.

greengiant09

hi!

can anyone tell me what are the job prospects are for someone who has just completed a degree in counselling and psychotherapy in pci college?

Vinny-Chase

Just to point out that PCI has gotten IACP accreditation for the weekend course. Each individual course, i.e. weekday courses etc while held on the same premises etc have to be accredited individually.

bobbysands81

Vinny-Chase wrote: »

Just to point out that PCI has gotten IACP accreditation for the weekend course. Each individual course, i.e. weekday courses etc while held on the same premises etc have to be accredited individually.

What exactly does the IACP accreditation mean?

I mean what's the difference between a college/course having the accred and not having it?

bobbysands81

bobbysands81 wrote: »

What exactly does the IACP accreditation mean?

I mean what's the difference between a college/course having the accred and not having it?

A quick bump...

krankykitty

It means if you apply to the IACP (for example) for accreditation after completing the course and your required after-course hours, they may refuse your accreditation as they don't recognise the training course you've completed.

Not having the accreditation doesn't mean it's a bad course, it could be accredited with another reputable body. But it is something to be aware of before committing to training.

hotspur

krankykitty wrote: »

It means if you apply to the IACP (for example) for accreditation after completing the course and your required after-course hours, they may refuse your accreditation as they don't recognise the training course you've completed.

Not having the accreditation doesn't mean it's a bad course, it could be accredited with another reputable body. But it is something to be aware of before committing to training.

And just to clarify for bobbysands81 completing a course which is recognised by the IACP is not a criterion of gaining individual accreditation. One merely has to have completed a course which is consistent with the criteria which the IACP require for a training course.

So the pragmatic reality is that when PCI let their IACP course recognition slip it didn't really matter to anyone who trained there applying to the IACP. It just meant instead of ticking a box saying they had done a recognised course that they described it on another page.

What counts is whether your training course was in line with the IACP criteria for training courses.

bobbysands81

hotspur wrote: »

And just to clarify for bobbysands81 completing a course which is recognised by the IACP is not a criterion of gaining individual accreditation. One merely has to have completed a course which is consistent with the criteria which the IACP require for a training course.

So the pragmatic reality is that when PCI let their IACP course recognition slip it didn't really matter to anyone who trained there applying to the IACP. It just meant instead of ticking a box saying they had done a recognised course that they described it on another page.

What counts is whether your training course was in line with the IACP criteria for training courses.

krankykitty wrote: »

It means if you apply to the IACP (for example) for accreditation after completing the course and your required after-course hours, they may refuse your accreditation as they don't recognise the training course you've completed.

Not having the accreditation doesn't mean it's a bad course, it could be accredited with another reputable body. But it is something to be aware of before committing to training.

Superb responses, thanks.

NikNak8

I am also looking at commencing the foundation course in PCI (Limerick).
Can anyone tell me if they know any practicing Psychotherapists that studied at PCI as I would like to hear their feedback on the experience?
Is it difficult to get placements? What kind of reputation do PCI graduates have amongst other therapists?

Odysseus

You make your own reputation as a therapist if you know what I mean. I never studied there, however, I know a few people who studied there 5-7 years ago, some are working in the HSE.

I don't know any recent graduates, however, the one's I know are good for the level the trained at, i.e. B.A. level.

NikNak8 wrote: »

I am also looking at commencing the foundation course in PCI (Limerick).
Can anyone tell me if they know any practicing Psychotherapists that studied at PCI as I would like to hear their feedback on the experience?
Is it difficult to get placements? What kind of reputation do PCI graduates have amongst other therapists?

trulla

NikNak8 wrote: »

I am also looking at commencing the foundation course in PCI (Limerick).
Can anyone tell me if they know any practicing Psychotherapists that studied at PCI as I would like to hear their feedback on the experience?
Is it difficult to get placements? What kind of reputation do PCI graduates have amongst other therapists?

Only reading this now and was wondering if you went ahead with the course? i am after signing up with PCI Limerick to start the foundation course in february.