Counselling courses - Accord training???

SpongeBob7658

Hi All,

Any advise at all please? I want to study to be a counsellor/psychotherapist but the cost is too overwhelming for me at the moment. I need to remain in Dublin so cant avail of courses outside unfortunately.

I am taking an NUI Manooth CERTIFICATE LEVEL 7 in Counselling Skills and it is FANTASTIC, but Manooth do not seem to have a follow-on course.(Diploma/Degree)

I was told about Accord training course in marriage counselling, it sounds great to get the ball rolling but i would love to hear from anyone who has undergone training with them and what they got from it? I understand that upon completion of the course, one must work with them voluntarily as a counsellor in repayment for a certain amount of time. It sounds like a great option for me.

Anyone have any advise at all? I am also filling out the CAO but cant find suitable courses other than masters/PHD or fee paying courses.
I only have a diploma in a completely different field so would love to find a degree course or even another diploma level.

Many thanks for your time,

SpongeBob

endacl

I'd do a little more research first. The difference between counselling and psychotherapy, for instance. I'd also be wary of the false economy of many of the short-term courses as a 'way in' to practise. Psychotherapy for example, under European guidelines, will require 4 years continuous training, with two if those being two years academic study at postgraduate level.

There really aren't any short cuts to doing it responsibly and ethically. It is expensive. As well as the course fees, you'll have to pay for private supervision and your own personal therapy. The cost is huge, but well worth it.

Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat more. I'm keeping my personal details off thread.

dar100

I would agree with the feedback endacl has provided you with. But if finances are an issue for you, this could be a great opportunity for you to get started.

It is a hdip level 8 of three years duration, and it is also accredited. As far as I know, the training is free and you pay this back by volunteering for 1 to 2 hours a week.

IMO it matches any of the 3 year diplomas been delivered by other organisation, although you would be specialising and may miss out on some area's other courses cover, but you would make up for this by having a deeper understanding of relationship counselling. Plus, you can also go back at some stage to study post grad, and make up for this.

It is one option for you to look at, and if money is holding you back, I think this may be a good opportunity for you

endacl

Money is the devil in this field. Costs a large fortune to train as a therapist. Can cost a small fortune to engage with a service. It's a middle class luxury. It shouldn't be, but it is.

SpongeBob7658

Hi Endaci & Dar100,

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my plight. I do not have many options as it stands, it does seem to be quite elitist. I will apply for psychology as well as the Accord training i think. Fingers crossed I get somewhere!
I would really appreciate, if i have further queries, that i may PM you? May I ask are you both psychotherapists/councellors?

Many thanks.

kjbsrah1

PCI offer a scholarship for their diploma/degree course - so no harm to check them out. They offer one potential student a place for free each year and this can be taken at any of their centres around the country. No harm to look into it...

SpongeBob7658

Thanks for that info Kjbsrah1. That is certainly one for me to look into!!!