The Counselling Centre Cork

Transposition

Hi,

I ran a search before posting this thread but couldn't find any specific discussions about the above course/counselling centre in Cork. Apologies however if there has been such a (relatively recent) discussion.

Link removed. JC

My first question: has anyone here completed any of their courses, and if so did you feel it was worth the investment?

My second question is more general: if somebody had a PhD in Philosophy (research topic dealing with listening and counselling), an IACP-accredited Diploma in Counselling/Psychotherapy and volunteer experience with various free counselling services (such as Samaritans), would you think it realistic to suppose they could make some sort of living from a private practice (I'm talking very modest - just surviving really) assuming they didn't neglect the business/marketing aspects of such an endeavour?

I'm aware that there is currently no regulation that could prevent just about anyone setting up as a private counsellor, but would like to hear some views on its perceived feasibility.

And third question: would somebody with such qualifications have any hope securing anything other than private work?

Thanks for any input.

Odysseus

What type of Dip is it? Does it fulfill the educational requirements for membership of the IACP? If so you would the have to work on supervision and clinical hours for full memberhip.

If you where in a position to be working towards fully membership of such an organisation you may get clients, but it is hard to just set up a private practice. In relation to an organisation well, no one will touch you as a therapist until you are a member of a professional body.

Des that anwer your question?

Transposition

Odysseus wrote:

What type of Dip is it? Does it fulfill the educational requirements for membership of the IACP? If so you would the have to work on supervision and clinical hours for full membership.

Thanks Odysseus, it does yes. But overall it would work out hugely expensive, especially considering how "oversubscribed" I've heard some people say the counselling profession is.

I'm at a career-crossroads at the moment and am investigating it as a possibility, as I do some volunteer work in that area (by phone).

Odysseus

Transposition wrote: »

Thanks Odysseus, it does yes. But overall it would work out hugely expensive, especially considering how "oversubscribed" I've heard some people say the counselling profession is.

I'm at a career-crossroads at the moment and am investigating it as a possibility, as I do some volunteer work in that area (by phone).

You are correct of course, there are too many bodies and not enough work/positions.

However, it takes time to build up private and no organistion will touch you without professional memberships.

I know it is expensive, what you can do is try get volunteer work which supplies you with supervision that is suitable to work towards a full membership. If you can get that, then at least it is not costing you money.

susmac

Not trying to nit-pick, but isn't Samaritans supposed to be a listening service, not counselling? I know when I volunteered there it was frowned upon and actively discouraged to consider it counselling, as the vast majority of volunteers would not have had any background in that area. And the intense but brief training certainly would not be considered counselling.
Su

Transposition

susmac wrote: »

Not trying to nit-pick, but isn't Samaritans supposed to be a listening service, not counselling? I know when I volunteered there it was frowned upon and actively discouraged to consider it counselling, as the vast majority of volunteers would not have had any background in that area. And the intense but brief training certainly would not be considered counselling.
Su

Yes, you're right - I was going to qualify what I said with "well, a listening service, not counselling" as they're quite emphatic that it isn't counselling as such.