Counselling is a growing career choice in the UK, with many colleges choosing to deliver ABC Awards qualifications which have been running for over 20 years. They are highly respected in the industry, with regulated qualifications in Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts, Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills and Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

Kirklees College, a further education college in West Yorkshire, delivers three of our counselling courses. We spoke with two students, Amanda Carberry-Tully and Nazia Shakoor, who are studying ABC Awards’ Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

This particular qualification has been developed in association with Skills for Health, the Sector Skills Council for the Health and Social Care Sector. When combined with the ABC Awards Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, it meets the basic training requirement for recognition as a qualified counsellor.

When asked why they chose this course, Amanda said:

“I studied psychology at degree level and have always been interested in helping people. I work as a support worker now and have found that small amounts of counseling are involved in this. It seems that all my paths have led to counselling. I believe it’s what I’m supposed to do, my destiny.”

On this course, students complete the qualification with a comprehensive and full understanding of topics such as, ethical frameworks, the impact of diverse culture, self-awareness and the importance of research. An important aspect of this course is the completion of a 100-hour supervised counselling placement, exposing students to actual counselling practice with actual clients in approved counselling placement organisations.

The tone of the qualification is set to develop the individual’s skills to help them choose the type of counselling they are interested in. Nazia comments:

“This qualification gives you plenty of opportunity to develop personally and recognise your strengths and weakness along the way.

“It has provided me with the key skills and knowledge required to help me into employment.”

The supervised placement hours have greatly benefited the learning experience of students on the qualification. Amanda said:

“I’m currently volunteering at Mosaic for my placement, which is dealing with child abuse. I find this side of counselling very interesting but I am also interested in general counselling for adults.

“The triage work within the college and my placement has really helped me discover which parts of counselling I want to explore further.”

Learners who complete this qualification are able to progress to Postgraduate and Post Qualifying courses in counselling studies and many learners progress towards national accreditation status with professional lead bodies.

Amanda comments about the support she has received along the way.

“The lessons are great! They are informative and I feel supported by my tutor, who is only an email away.

“There is also good use of the Virtual Learning Environment, which offers lots of articles and handouts to help support the criteria.”

ABC Awards qualifications are developed with the learner in mind, offering flexibility and personal development. Nazia and Amanda tell us why they would recommend an ABC Awards course:

“The Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is well-paced and not overly demanding. I would defiantly recommend it.” (Nazir) 

“The qualification is well set out with achievable criteria’s and deadlines. I have really enjoyed the course which has enhanced my existing skills and has given me confidence in my ability as a counsellor.” (Amanda)

On finishing the course Amanda and Nazia both hope to continue their journey into a career in counselling. Nazia plans to do a Masters and work with women with postnatal depression and Amanda would like to train in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing and eventually be a full time counsellor in a private practice.

We wish them all the best for their future in counselling and are pleased to see that our ABC Awards qualifications are setting them on the right path.

To find out more about our range of counselling qualifications please visit our website or speak with the ABC Awards team about delivering a qualification at your Centre: 0115 854 1620.

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