The Differences: Counselling & Counselling Psychology?

[positive_light]

Hello everyone!

I was hoping to return to education soon and focus along the lines of becoming a counsellor....but I notice that there are two options (or maybe more?) of counselling...

May I ask:
~ What are the key difference between doing a counselling course and becoming a counselling psychologist (clients, education and techniques)?

~ If you are practising as either one, why did you choose to become one in your field?

~ From my understanding (which is very little at this point in time lol), a counselling psychologist has to study to Masters level while it is possible to become a counsellor without doing a degree/Masters?



All tips and info welcome!
Thanks

[Blackcrow]

Hello Positive Light.

I am just about to start my second year diploma, in counselling. the difference you ask is psychology is more clinical. either you like it or you dont.
they are both talking therepies, it just depends on how much training you want to do.
i am going on my second and qualifying year but have been doing it 4 years,
because you start on the Basic, then the intermediate, then certificate then diploma,
now some colleges miss out the certificate and fast track onto the diploma.
you have to put a lot of yourself into it. it all depends how commited you are,
the best thing for you would be to talk with a tutor and ask for advice.

take care

[cec57]

Hi I've just started my 2nd year counselling diploma as well
I been looking to see whats out there for future reference and have found that you can progress to
MA/PG Diploma

BA (Hons) Counselling
you can even get a PhD in counselling

Psychology: The study of the mind and mental processes, especially in relation to behavior. There are a number of fields of psychology. Clinical psychology is concerned with diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, emotional disturbances, and behavior problems. Child psychology is the study of the mental and emotional development of children and is part of developmental psychology, the study of changes in behavior that occur through the life span. Cognitive psychology deals with how the human mind receives and interprets impressions and ideas. Social psychology looks at how the actions of others influence the behavior of an individual.

The BACP definition of counselling
Counselling takes place when a counsellor sees a client in a private and confidential setting to explore a difficulty the client is having, distress they may be experiencing or perhaps their dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction and purpose. It is always at the request of the client as no one can properly be 'sent' for counselling. for further reading go to
http://www.bacp.co.uk/education/whatiscounselling.html

[SuePooh]

hello cec57 you my mod of the counselling forum? its me sue the pooh

[cec57]

Hi Sue yes its me
Nice to see you
:0)

[SuePooh]

:-)

[garthur]

I teach counselling to diploma level. The goal posts are changing now & possibly by 2010 counsellors may need a degree to practice. For existing counsellors, there will probably be a bridging module available. Some accrediting bodies are simply "bumping up" existing levels...

I have a diverse student base, some have come through the levels on the course that I teach on. Others have joined at Advanced level. Some of the latter have certificates that state they are trained to Level 3 (NEW level 3 that is)..and they are struggling with the advanced level!

The course I teach works closely to BACP guidelines, but let's not forget that BACP is NOT an official body ~ simply a large, private organisation. They do, however, have a good set of ethical principles for "best practice" , generically speaking.

Best wishes.

[Little Miss Giggles]

I am also studying to become a counsellor and I am alarmed that there are online programs which will alow people to gain certificates so they can practice as counsellors. No face to face work, no placemets no clients. Its awful.
I do hope the goal posts are changing - because after all counselling can be very helpful but also very very damaging if practiced carelessly

[garthur]

I agree, LMG.

What my students are a bit upset about is that even after they get their diploma in counselling they won't be able to practice as counsellors after 2010 unless they hold a level 5 (degree).

Existing practising counsellors who do not hold that level will have to do a bridging course. Counsellors will have to register with HPC (the body that all medical professionals have to register with) or will be unable to practice as counsellors.

Unfortunately, this means that my "babies" (these are the first who have come through from concepts to Dip., with the organisation I work for) will have to put in another 2 years part time study before they can be fledged practitioners.

Swings and roundabouts, really.