Graduates of this course can consider a range of pathways, including making an impact in the community by volunteering in a third sector counselling agency, progressing to postgraduate study in counselling or social work, working in schools, colleges, charities and rehabilitation centres, or eventually setting up a private practice.
This course meets both the training and personal development requirements for individual BACP accreditation, although graduates will need to continue to build their counselling experience to the required level after completing their studies. The application and assessment procedure is rigorous and accreditation is not guaranteed even if you meet all the stated requirements.
Counselling is an extremely rewarding profession, however, it is important to realise that paid, full-time counselling positions are rare and therefore competition for these roles is high. Private practice is difficult to establish, and is often an unreliable income source. Setting up private practice requires substantial experience of clinical work under supervision and personal therapy, and could be an option further in your career.
Professional associations
Accredited by the National Counselling Society, giving students low cost membership of a professional body and a smooth transition to accredited registrant status on graduation.
All employers are now looking for counsellors who are on a professional register. To maximise choice the course also provides the tuition requirements for individual accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and 200 hours towards the practice requirements.