What course/how long?

Locoladee

Hi all,

I am currently working full time in the field of education and have been doing some voluntary work with a charity in my spare time for a few years now. This voluntary work requires me to work with people in a listening capacity-we have been trained in this specific task and have regular refresher training and courses, but I have found it has whet my appetite for working in this field in a professional capacity. I am extremely interested in this area and have found a passion for it. I would love something along the lines of counselling and psychotherapy and am fully intent on leaving my current job for a job in this area if all works out! However, I am finding it very confusing figuring out what courses/paths to take. I think I'm looking at four years part-time to get to degree level. Does that mean I cannot work in this area for four years? Is there any shorter way to get into this field but still work part time? Maybe begin with a diploma, change jobs and still study in my spare time to ultimately achieve my degree? Or would I have zero chance at finding a job without a minimum of degree level 8? I have a mortgage to pay so being a full-time student is not feasible. Four more years in my current job seems like a lifetime! What would you recommend as the best way to go about this? Any advice gratefully received!

dar100

All counselling and psychotherapy courses are conducted part time. If you already hold a degree I would suggest doing a Master of 4 years that is accredited by a revel any body in the ICP.

If you don't have a undergrad degree, a level 8 Hons degree would be a good starting point. Make sure it is accredited by a relevant body

You won't find full time employment as a therapist until you are fully accredited by a recognised body, which you can't do until 2 years after finish your study, once you have your 400 hours, and supervision completed.

However, if you want to practice privately, many do this while working towards accreditation.

Locoladee

dar100 wrote: »

All counselling and psychotherapy courses are conducted part time. If you already hold a degree I would suggest doing a Master of 4 years that is accredited by a revel any body in the ICP.

If you don't have a undergrad degree, a level 8 Hons degree would be a good starting point. Make sure it is accredited by a relevant body

You won't find full time employment as a therapist until you are fully accredited by a recognised body, which you can't do until 2 years after finish your study, once you have your 400 hours, and supervision completed.

However, if you want to practice privately, many do this while working towards accreditation.

Thanks you so much for your reply. I have an honours degree but it is a Bachelor of Education degree so is not in the right field. I have been looking at the HDip in Counselling&Pschotherapy in DBS, it's 2 years part-time. Would this be any way suitable? One of the charities I work with would provide me with work placements/hours, do you think this is the way to go or should I just go with four years degree part-time? There's so many courses to choose from and the expense is huge, don't want to make the wrong decision!

dar100

No the hdip is not a course that can be used for professional practice, your degree will get you onto a masters. Check out DCU, they run a 4 year masters.

dar100

You can still do a masters , regardless of your degree, check out DCU. I'd stay away from the hdip, it's not a practice qualification.

Locoladee

Thanks for this, oh God the thoughts of 4 more long years of study! I guess good things come to those who wait! Thanks for help, much appreciated!:)

hotspur

Locoladee wrote: »

Thanks for this, oh God the thoughts of 4 more long years of study! I guess good things come to those who wait! Thanks for help, much appreciated!:)

You can train as a therapist over 2 years part time such as with IICP in Tallaght whose course is recognised by IACP. So as things currently stand in respect of accreditation a degree is unnecessary. But things may change with statutory registration in the future.

Also, because you mentioned getting a job, just in case nobody has told you, this is a long shot as a counsellor. That's the reality, and I would encourage anyone to spend time investigating the experience of graduates on the finances issue.