MA Person-Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy Alumni Profiles

Pranika Agarwal

Year of graduation: 2024
Home country: India
Studying: Full-time 

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

I decided to study at the University of Nottingham primarily because of how well it was fitting with my needs of diversity and a student-centred environment. The university has a good reputation which is one of the key factors for deciding on Nottingham as a place to study. 

How do you hope this course will help with your career or further study in the future?

This course has been extremely transformative for me in my journey of life. I entered the course knowing that it will facilitate the process of becoming a therapist, which it has to a great extent. However, besides that, the course has also helped me dive into my individuality and to know myself so deeply, which would have been far-fetched otherwise. I have further come to realise that I want to pursue a PhD in a few years, primarily because I hope to invest my energy into something which feels significant to my growth as a person as well as in academia. 

The only downside, however, of course is that while it is empowering, the world outside of it is not very person-centred which does initially feel quite difficult to navigate. As a professional now, I also struggle with answering very standard questions such as whether I am BACP accredited and people having a perception of my work based on that. It is important to understand that it is not possible to be accredited until you have a sufficient amount of experience/years of practice. Furthermore, questions on whether I am comfortable adapting to other modalities while working with clients do not necessarily feel right or aligned with my authenticity, which is why it feels more unsettling. Hence, the reality of how people do not completely understand what person-centred is or what it entails can get isolating from time to time.

Was there a particular module that you enjoyed the most? 

I don't think I can make a choice because all the modules were so enriching but if I had to, I would definitely say that I loved the encounter weekends which took place each year as well as the module, Personal Power and Social Change in the second year. I believe it was in this particular year where I truly did find my voice in a way that made me challenge my inner values as a person. The conditionality that I had as a person through the course of life was questioned each time I sat in that circle with the help of listening, knowing and deeply understanding people from all walks of life. Additionally, I also loved this module because of the way it was facilitated by two tutors who absolutely challenged us in those groups to ponder over things, which would otherwise be left unsaid as a result of its discomfort. 

How did you find your placement - how did it help develop your skills?

I found my placement through a placement fair which is organised as part of the course. My placement organisation was The Human Flourishing Project (HFP) and I have loved my experience of it. I was incredibly nervous before starting client work, mostly the nitty gritty of it but I am grateful for all the support that I had from my tutors on the course, peers and supervisors. Through the thorough induction sessions, I acquired better clarity around my responsibilities as part of the HFP.

This placement not only helped me to develop my practice as a therapist but it prepared me on how to function as a therapist in the world beyond the course and to understand how to set up my private practice after as well. Furthermore, I volunteered to be a part of the admin team and it helped me understand all the admin work that it entails prior to actually starting working with a client. I still continue to be a part of the HFP even now by helping with intake sessions while also helping with researching for funding. My clients within the HFP have helped me understand more of myself as to who I am as a therapist and have been a significant part of my growth as well. Lastly, the supervision sessions have been an integral part in this journey too as it helped me reflect, critique and challenge myself in the work I was doing, which is essential for the evolution of a therapist. 

What was the best part of the course?

The best part about the course for me was that it was different from the traditional ways of teaching and it provided me with so much more autonomy to just "BE". The autonomy and freedom was daunting initially as I come from the kind of teaching which was quite authoritative and demanding in nature in India. The freedom to choose what I want to learn or unlearn on this course has been the best opportunity I received. Encounter weekends really helped me to make sense of the course and how it can shape my being as an individual and as a therapist. The person-centred space that the course provides is something so rare to find. The lack of relational encounters in the outside world made me value this space much more as it provided me with a depth that was unfound otherwise. The immense literature and academia available in the realm of the approach made me challenge my thoughts at every step in the course as well facilitating me to critique and value my own way of thinking. Lastly, I enjoyed making my enrichment portfolio towards the end of my course and it really helped me to reflect on all the CPD that I have engaged in throughout to keep my knowledge as well as love for the approach alive. 

How were you supported on the course?

There is immense support available on the course and I have been supported in so many different ways. The personal tutoring sessions were a great space to reflect and seek support, whether it was for the essays or for feedback prior to the readiness to practice panel. It is just not academic support but I have always had my tutors to talk about anything that was happening in my life. I have always felt that there is someone to talk to and it never felt isolating. The power dynamic between a tutor and a student does not feel as rigid on the course which I admired, as there was a great extent of equality amongst us. Lastly, the evening seminars at the Centre of Human Flourishing was a good space to have outside of classes to keep growing and understanding the approach. 

Why do you think someone should choose this course? 

I believe if you are interested in and feel attuned to the person-centred approach then you should choose to apply for this course. The nature of the course is very person-centered, so if you don’t feel aligned to it to a certain degree before you begin, it may facilitate one to feel lost and confused. The course offers a wide range of rich literature and exposure that the group process offers, hence, if that is something you feel inclined towards, then I would suggest that this course is for you. However, if you don't believe in the approach then you might not like it. If you are ready to do the uncomfortable work on yourself then this course is the best fit as it is a lot of looking inside your darkness which is deeply unsettling but liberating if you choose to trust the process.

Do you have any advice for someone considering this course?

My only advice to anyone who is joining this course is to sign up for it if you are fully committed towards it as it is a rocky road. You also might want to have an idea about the person-centred approach before stepping into or applying for the course as it might feel like a radical or ‘unusual’ way of learning. Give it your all and I'm sure you will cherish it for the rest of your life.

Shefali Golchha

Year of graduation: 2023
Home country: India
Studying: Full-time 

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

A combination of factors. I chose the university because it offered something rare - a full-time, two-year person-centred counselling course. At the time I was applying, most master's programmes in the UK were only a year long, but as an international student, a slower, steadier pace felt essential.

Equally important to me was the philosophy at the heart of the course. Carl Rogers' work, which I discovered back in India, echoed something I was just beginning to name for myself: a belief in presence, and the potential for growth when someone feels truly seen. For me, training to be a therapist wasn’t separate from how I wanted to live, so a course specialising in this approach was a perfect choice. 

The course structure and content appealed to me too. The first year builds a strong foundation in theory and practice, while the second offers a placement and a choice of specialism (adult or children and young people). This blend of theory, practice, and research was exactly what I wanted to keep my career paths flexible.

The University of Nottingham also had scholarships that I could apply to. I was awarded the University’s Developing Solutions Master’s Scholarship, which covered 50% of my first-year tuition fee. That financial support made it possible for me to choose the course and commit fully to the experience.

And finally, though I hadn’t known much about it before arriving, the campus itself became a vital part of why I’m grateful to have studied in Nottingham. Coming from the density and noise of Mumbai, I didn’t realise how much I needed open green space until I was surrounded by it. The lakes, the greenery, the vast open spaces and the hidden gardens gave me a sense of ease and wonder, which not only shaped my studies, but also how I related to myself during those two years.

How do you hope this course will help with your career or further study in the future?

Before I had even graduated, I was fortunate to be offered a role as a counsellor at the University of Nottingham, my alma mater. The job market can be really difficult especially for international students navigating complex immigration systems and fewer opportunities. The process was not easy; I faced rejections and stretches of uncertainty. But my personal growth from the course had equipped me enough to go through this process with trust in myself. 

During the second year of the course, I gained valuable practical experience through placements, working with a diverse range of clients and developing skills in navigating safeguarding, risk, and ethical challenges. This helped me speak with confidence about my professional approach in interviews, and by the time I completed the course, I had met the required hours to register as a counsellor with the BACP.

Alongside this, personal therapy, regular supervision, and reflective classroom discussions deepened my understanding of myself within the therapeutic relationship. The course helped me develop my core skills, but most importantly, I learned to pay attention to what isn’t always immediately visible - the therapist’s congruence, the subtle power dynamics in the room, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship. As a result, by the time I applied for jobs, I had developed a clear sense of how and why I worked the way I did. My interviewers highlighted this reflective capacity, and I’ve come to see it as one of the most enduring things I took from the course.

Thinking about my career while I was still a student, I had wondered whether I’d be able to hold onto the ethos of person-centred work within systems shaped by short-term interventions and outcome-driven targets. But having space on the course to practise while being supported, to bring my fears and doubts, receive feedback, and explore what felt difficult, helped me build the kind of clarity and inner commitment I now draw on to navigate the pressures of working in larger institutional settings.

Another thing I really appreciated was the balance between theory, practice, and research. I was considering pursuing a PhD before I was offered my current full-time role, and although that plan is on hold for now, I haven't forgotten about it. I’d love to return to research in some capacity when it becomes possible. The structure of the course means that these different pathways of clinical work, academic research, and continued study remain open to me.

I was also able to contribute to the wider professional community during my time on, and after the course. I presented my dissertation research at a BACP research conference, and one of my coursework essays was later published by The Person-Centred Association. Those experiences helped me feel part of a wider professional community and strengthened my voice as both a practitioner and a writer.

Looking back, the course didn’t just prepare me for a job or a role, it helped me find my footing as a therapist. It opened doors, but more importantly, it helped me walk through them with integrity.

Was there a particular module that you enjoyed the most? 

Yes, I really enjoyed the Child and Young People (CYP) theory module in my second year. We were a small group of around six students specialising in the CYP pathway. I’ve often found it difficult to speak up in larger groups, so while the intimacy of a smaller group made me feel more seen, it also created a space where I felt more connected, engaged, and able to contribute. 

The module marked a turning point in how I understood the therapeutic relationship. As we explored ways of working with children, we were also introduced to experiential and expressive arts. This brought a new sense of vitality to my learning. It expanded how I attuned to clients, not just through words but through materials, colours, and imagination. One of my fondest memories from that year is how we explored these practices together as a group, with openness, creativity, and playfulness. 

The module also reconnected me to parts of myself I hadn’t accessed in a long time, especially my sense of play and creative expression. It helped me embody the more intuitive, expressive and relational dimensions of the person-centred approach, which now shape how I work across age groups. 

My growing interest in this area led me to focus my research on creativity. I felt genuinely seen and encouraged by my tutors, Urszula and Jen through this process. After graduating, I was even invited to run expressive arts workshops for trainee counsellors, which felt like a natural extension of what had begun in that module.

How did you find your placement - how did it help develop your skills?

I completed my placement in two organisations. 

At Place2Be, a UK-wide school-based mental health charity, I worked in a primary school. This gave me important insight into the UK education system, to live, breathe, and be part of that microsystem. I learnt how to begin and end therapeutic relationships working in a short-term model. I also managed a small caseload, which helped me develop skills in organising my time effectively. At times, I felt the tension between a person-centred way of being and institutional structures - balancing the slower unfolding of a child-led process with external expectations for ‘progress and outcomes’. These moments taught me how to advocate for the child’s process while remaining responsive to school systems. I also learnt to navigate safeguarding procedures and adapt flexibly to the rhythm of school life. 

At The Laura Centre, a smaller charity supporting bereaved children and families, I developed a deeper insight into how grief shows up and impacts children in different ways. I learnt from the culture how safety and relationally are woven into the atmosphere and impacts anyone who walks in through the doors. This taught me that the whole therapeutic environment matters, and that its impact on clients begins even before our work together starts. I had opportunities to liaise closely with parents, developing skills in communication, maintaining confidentiality boundaries, and appreciating the relational dynamics between child and caregiver. I also liaised with schools when appropriate, which enhanced my confidence in professional collaboration. I developed a more attuned, curious, and empathic presence, learning to support children through child-centred play therapy. 

Both placements included thorough induction processes and regular supervision -peer supervision at Place2Be and one-to-one supervision at The Laura Centre, which provided safe spaces to reflect, be supported, and continue growing.

What was the best part of the course?

The course exposed me to a lot of new experiences, a different way of learning, and a different way of relating to people. I discovered parts of myself I hadn’t fully recognised or trusted before. 

The best part of the course was the open and safe relationship I shared with the tutors. I felt their unwavering faith in my potential and their trust in who I was becoming. I felt accepted and respected as I am. From that place of safety, I found the courage to go deeper within myself and also venture into unfamiliar, unconventional directions. 

One example was the support I received during my dissertation. I chose an unconventional research method and a question that felt emotionally, intellectually and academically difficult to pursue. But with the trust and curiosity of my tutors, I felt safe and sure enough to take risks and walk a path that felt congruent to me. This is the very topic that I then went on to present with my tutors at the BACP conference. 

That same sense of openness shaped how I approached academic work and, over time, began to influence my therapeutic practice too. I let myself think differently, take creative risks, and enjoy the process of writing. I still experience fear, doubt and uncertainty, especially when surrounded by institutional or societal expectations that may contrast my value systems or the way I work. But I’m more able now to pause, notice what’s pulling me in different directions, and return to what feels congruent. 

How were you supported on the course?

I felt supported in many ways. We had regular personal tutor contact hours each semester, which gave us space to openly explore ideas and get feedback on essays.

I remember how anxious I felt in the lead-up to our fitness to practise panel during the first year. But when I began sharing my recorded clips and receiving feedback, I didn’t feel judged, I felt encouraged and trusted, and from there I was able to recognise my own blocks and strengths.

Other parts of the course also shaped my development. The encounter groups brought together students across year groups in a person-centred group setting. These weekends were as challenging as they were meaningful, and I’ve come to appreciate their value even more since entering the world of work. We also had evening seminars that inspired me to think about the person-centred theory in different ways and also helped me get into a habit of keeping a track of my CPD.

Why do you think someone should choose this course? 

Apart from what I’ve already shared, I truly believe this course is a gift that keeps giving. The person-centred way of being and learning can feel radical in the world we live in today. This course doesn’t just prepare you for a profession, it invites you into a way of relating to yourself and others that feels deeply human, and, I think, more needed than ever.

Do you have any advice for someone considering this course?

If you’re considering this course, here’s my postcard to you.

Do spend some time familiarising yourself with person-centred theory before starting. Notice how it shows up in your life, work, and relationships, it makes the learning more immediate. At times, the course might feel like a bubble, separate from the wider world. Keeping a regular practice of reflection will show you that what happens in class shapes how you meet the world beyond it.

The course can feel like a radical way of learning. You’ll sit in circles, experience silences, and help shape the pace, structure, and content yourself. At first, this freedom can feel disorienting, especially if you’re used to fixed structures. Those moments of discomfort are where the richest learning happens. Bring your doubts, fears, and questions, they belong here on the course.

You might find, perhaps for the first time, what it’s like to not be at odds with yourself. It may feel unfamiliar in a world full of pressures and expectations. Over time, showing up honestly, balancing freedom with responsibility, and staying connected to yourself becomes the foundation for both personal and professional growth.

Andrew Bould

Year of graduation: 2023
Home country: UK
Studying: Part-time

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

Nottingham is local to me and it has a great reputation. Also, you cannot find an equivalent course to MA Person-Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy with its unique approach to teaching and specialisation in person-centred theory and practice.

How do you hope this course will help with your career or further study in the future?

Literally my entire philosophy on life has shifted because of the course. Every relationship I have regardless of who it is with has improved and is healthier, and I feel more self-assured in myself than ever before. As a result, I have the passion and confidence which has secured me a higher level leadership wellbeing role within an education setting immediately after completing the course. At the end of my course, I have felt there were many options for careers paths available to me based on what I wanted to do. I chose to stay within an education setting, but I could have aimed for more medical settings, or private practice. I am not seeking any further study, but I do feel that the option is there. 

Is there a particular module that you enjoyed the most? 

I particularly enjoyed the modules on developing person-centred theory. It’s the first module you do, but it introduces the learning approach and prepares you for the rest of the course. Doing the course part-time, this was my only lecture each week during the first year, and it was a deeply enriching and enlightening experience. 

How did you find your placement - how did it help develop your skills?

I had two placements, my initial placement I set up myself, and my second was one that was offered to the course. I found the placement experience to be fantastic and really empowering towards feeling like I can be an effective therapist. You are expected to have supervision more frequently than on other therapy courses, but I prefer this as I felt more supported than I would be otherwise.

What was the best part of the course?

Encountering others in group sessions (particularly the encounter weekends). This course is like no other, with a unique approach to teaching and learning, with an emphasis on being student-led. Groups are facilitated well, and to those willing to embrace the process, the benefits and outcomes are incredible. The encounter weekends allowed for meeting other students on a very deep and meaningful level. 

How have you been supported on this course?

Every single member of staff on the course is willing to support you, and they are amazing. You are strongly encouraged to be autonomous and accountable to your own learning journey, which can seem overwhelming to some students, but so long as you ask for the help when you need it, then you will always receive masses of support from the staff. Plus, by becoming more self-sufficient, you’re better equipped for life beyond education.

How did you manage to balance studying part-time with a job (and personal life)?

It was very challenging. I had to work for three days a week in a decent position to be able to afford the course, and it would have been impossible to pay for it without the masters loan. I was able to continue with my hobbies and never felt too overwhelmed or burnt out to meet any course deadlines. I do feel strongly that the course should be completed part-time purely because the personal development required to fully experience the learning from the course takes a long time and cannot be rushed.

Why do you think someone should choose this course?

No other course is like this, and it really does transform your life in all aspects if you can embrace the unique learning process. This course runs in the way that education should be ran.

Do you have any advice for someone considering this course?

Research person-centred theory and Carl Rogers in detail before beginning the course. Understand how encounter group’s function and be open to the fact that you will undergo a personal growth and development that forces you to reflect inwardly in ways that may often feel uncomfortable. It is all worth it. Also, always ask for help if you need it.

Anything else you'd like add about the course?

You will connect to the other students on this course in ways you would never achieve on another. This course is about developing the skills and understanding of meaningful, healthy, and deep connection. What you gain from this course is worth so much more than a regular masters degree.

Antara Jain

Year of graduation: 2023
Home country: India
Studying: Full-time 

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

I chose to study at Nottingham primarily for the purpose of the course and how it seemed to fit with what I hoped to study and pursue. However, as I researched more about what the university represented, I really did come to appreciate how diverse, supportive and open it is for students and the community overall. Often, universities can be quite distant but the University of Nottingham has done a great job in being very student-centred whilst facilitating a sense of home away from home. 

How do you hope this course will help with your career or further study in the future?

This course, more than anything else, has helped me become who I truly am. I entered the course as a very different person – someone who was shy, afraid to speak up and quite consumed with what society hoped for her to be, but the most significant thing this course did for me was shine light on who I truly am. The person-centred environment allowed me to feel a sense of freedom and unconditionality which I have never felt before, unleashing possibilities which seemed so far-fetched at first but not so much anymore. I believe with a course which is focused on opening up a realm for you to become a therapist – it ironically facilitates you to become a person of your own right first. More than the intellectual knowledge I have acquired through my two years, I believe it is the transformation of my inner world which is most valuable to me and will always be, with the course forever etched in my heart. 

The course has given me the confidence to trust myself enough to not depend on opportunities and people but rather take initiative and create new ones for myself. I did not acknowledge my potential and love for academia until I came on this course and I have realised that I want to do a PhD in a few years, primarily because I want to invest my energy in something which feels significant to my growth. Without this course I do not think I would have discovered or trusted this as a possibility for myself. It has given me more than I could have asked for.

Is there a particular module that you enjoyed the most? 

I don't think I can choose because all the modules were so great but if I had to anyway, I would definitely say that I loved the module Personal Power and Social Change in the second year. I believe it was in this particular year where I truly did find my voice, so to express the different realms of what exists in the world whilst also challenging my own personal power in the process was a deeply meaningful and enriching experience. It helped me challenge myself but also others without wondering what it would be like if I did. I believe that is the best part about the course: you have the freedom to bring what is most important to you whilst questioning and challenging it with others who have the capacity to listen to and understand you. The ‘connections’ you build will forever be something to hold close. Additionally, I also loved this module because of the way it was facilitated by a tutor. It was personal, safe and liberating and I will not forget any of the classes I had the opportunity to experience and cherish. 

How did you find your placement - how did it help develop your skills?

My placement organisation was The Human Flourishing Project and I really enjoyed it. I remember how nervous I was prior to starting my placement but the support from everyone around me enabled me to feel comfortable and safe. To sit with clients of my own was a deeply meaningful experience, where I got the opportunity to hear many stories whilst also forming a sense of profound connection with a diverse range of people. 

The many encounters with different clients helped me to understand the kind of therapist I am, whilst also adapting to what each one may need from me. It taught me how to be more open and honest. It showed me how to be amidst challenging moments in the therapy room whilst continuing to trust myself enough to navigate it. It shone light on moments where I often came close to my very fragile inner world in relation to the story of my clients, yet I used such moments as an opportunity for growth and reflection rather than being fearful or rejecting of it. I learnt to find solace in the prospect of patience which one often needs to hold close as a therapist. I began to appreciate 'connections' more deeply and learnt about what it means for me to have a meaningful therapeutic relationship with my clients. And lastly, my time on placement with clients taught me to appreciate every single moment that exists in the therapy room because soon, there would be an ending – hence, gratitude, faith and humanness were values which I discovered on placement. Additionally, it came with a lot of responsibility which has left me feeling more prepared and confident in myself as I embark on the journey of starting my own private practice soon.

What was the best part of the course?

The best part about the course for me was the freedom it provided me, along with the staff who are not ‘staff’ but more like family. I know this may sound strange but when you do become part of the course with a willingness to give 100% to it, nothing will feel too much or unfamiliar because you will come to discover that you do belong. I think, for me, particularly my fascination and deep interest in academia was a very new and significant part of myself which I discovered amongst others. One of the first moments through which I encountered my potential to want to write and ‘publish papers’ as a student was through the encouragement of one my tutors itself. If you have ideas, they will never shut you down or think you are not ‘good enough’ to pursue those ideas but rather they will wholeheartedly support you in your journey and may even be willing to write and extend the person-centred literature together. 

If your belief and faith in it is real and you bring that belief to them, they will stand by you and guide you for as long as you may need it. I remember how I wished that I had endless tutorials primarily because I loved sitting with a tutor and simply have very meaningful and deep conversations about the potential of the literature which exists, whilst also questioning who I am in the process. I came to appreciate connections much more deeply than I ever did, whilst also being very grateful for the unconditionality of staff and students. 

I can write a novel about the course, but I will leave it at this!

How have you been supported on this course?

I have been supported in many different ways, not primarily in the context of academia and coursework but also amidst challenges in my personal life. If you are struggling and need to speak to someone, you can reach out to any of the staff and they will always be receptive to you. I believe this is another significant part of the course as well: you are truly perceived as a person and your tutors will never perceive themselves to be on a ‘pedestal’ but will rather be there for you when you feel you need someone to be there to support you. You will be met, heard and seen. 

Why do you think someone should choose this course?

I think you should choose this course, first, if you are interested in the person-centred approach. It is imperative to remember that this course is primarily person-centred, which means that it not only academically focused on person-centred literature, but the experience of it as a whole is person-centred. It is very unique from other counselling courses, where unless and until you trust that this approach is for you, you may feel conflicted amidst the process. It is a beautiful course with an approach which can be life-changing if you choose to trust it. 

Second, if you want to understand what it is like to be ‘you’, diving deeper into your inner world whilst striving to sustain the capacity of holding heart and compassion for others, then this course is for you. I believe we are often under the impression of how we need to "learn to be therapists" through a set of skills and techniques but this course goes far beyond that. It facilitates you to start from the very beginning – it opens up a space for you to become a person first, unfolding the significance of the kind of therapist you are and hope to be amidst such a process itself.  

It will be scary and confusing at first; I know it was for me. But, as long as you remain open to it and what it brings for you, it will unravel a painful yet liberating journey. You will never forget it.

Do you have any advice for someone considering this course?

The only advice I have for anyone considering the course is to trust yourself and be true to who you are and what you need. This course is challenging but if you are truly passionate and want to enter the realm of becoming yourself and a therapist, then go for it. Just remember, even when it is not easy, it will be worth it and you are going to miss it when you leave.

Also, if you do get accepted, do not take it for granted. Give your whole self to the course because when you choose to do that, is when it will be the most liberating and rewarding experience. Best of luck!