Career change advice needed

[Sugarmag]

I've been thinking going back to uni and finding a new direction for my career for some time now. The thing is I'm not really sure what to do and would love some advice.

I have an undergraduate degree (from the US) in psychology. I love psychology and always wanted to work in that or a closely related field. Somehow after graduation however I got a bit sidetracked and got more into the research side of things and from there into database and computer programming. Then after dd was born I decided to start working from home for dh. I do a bit of this and a bit of that, some of it interesting, most of it not. I've got great hours, great flexibility, no hassle from the boss when the kids are sick, loads of holidays, and most importantly I'm taking a lot of the workload off DH.

But I'm bored, bored, bored. And desperate to get back to psychology. I'm 34 and feel that if I don't do it pretty darn soon it's never going to happen. Last year I seriously investigated the possibility of educational psychology. Found a great 2 year program near where I live. But when I spoke to the BPS (British Psychological Society) they wouldn't recognise my undergraduate qualification. So before I could even apply I would have to do a conversion course. 1 year full time or 2 years part time - and the one near me is from 5-7pm in the evening ..... IMPOSSIBLE!!

I've started volunteering as a counselor for Childline but there don't seem to be too many real jobs out there for counsellors. I've looked into the possibility of Social Work but again seems to be a minimum of 4 years further training.

SO....does anyone have any ideas what I could do that I could get a qualification in maybe 2 years full time or say 3 part time? Really not sure what to consider and would love some advice.

[Chrismurfgirl]

Train to be a mental health nurse in 3 years?

[Chandra]

Try the Open University. Though... I think their master degree is also focused in research methodology.

A friend of mine had her psychology degree homologated here (she presented an exam, no classes but lots of study at her own pace) she then went into the OU postgraduate program. She seemed very happy and gave her the conficence to go back to work after a long period.