Hi,
I have applied to study Psychotherapy (TA) and have managed to get onto the course which is 4 years in length however I am starting to have second thoughts due to the costs involved. The course is UKCP accredited.
I would like to know if I decide to go down the college route, it will be a little cheaper. I know I have to do a 10 week Level 2 course, then go on to a year course which is Level 3. Do you then do the Level 4 course for a further 2 years before you can practice?
Also, as part of the course how much personal counselling do you need to have per year?
I want to know other people's experiences. In the long run the psychotherapy course may hold more value but the cost is very high (region of £13,000 roughly over 4 years!!)
I would love some general advice...
It's been a while but I see no one's answered you. I don't know where you got that huge figure of £13,000. You could train on a BPS approved CBT course for less than £4,000, and that would have a much better chance of getting you a job than any other form of psychotherapy.
Don't for heaven's sake go for a Person-Centred/Rogerian/Non-Directive Counselling course, as that's basically money down the drain. The BACP journal is full of person-centred counsellors moaning about how they can't get any work after spending so much money on training, supervsion, and personal therapy. Ten years ago person-centred counsellors ruled the roost in GP counselling, round my way at any rate, but how times have changed!
I would suggest you contact counsellors in your area who are actually employed in it full time, and ask where they trained. You could also research some EAPs and see what are their criteria as regards training.
I know nothing about TA but I suggest you find out how accepted this is in the NHS and EAPs before committing to a large expenditure. It is not mentioned on the NHS Choices website.
Hello SM,
I am just completing the level 2 counselling concepts course (10 weeks) and will be going on to the level 2 counselling skills (20 weeks) in January. I'm not sure where you are but in my area they advertise the level 3 as a stand alone course (after doing the level 2's) for those not wanting to do a full level 4 but it is actually the first year of the level 4 if you see what I mean. In total it would take 3 years to become a trained counsellor. Depending on your academic background and age you could get a student loan or an over 25 learning grant (or whatever it's called) fro some of your studies.
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