To find male colleague's message odd?

haven't RTFT but I don't think you are overthinking and do think you should be mentioning it to the course leader. You are obviously a strong person who can deal with this but this man is training to go into practice with vulnerable clients.

I think before you speak to someone about him speak to him directly and just say to message you in the group chat in the future and you don't accept private messages from colleagues.

Then see how he acts from then. Anything else, then speak to the person in charge of both of you in training.

I agree, it's a head scratcher but the message should do it if he was trying anything or if it was some sort of accident that he decided not to mention.

I do think you need to speak to your tutor. Firstly he's pushing at boundaries and as a counsellor he shouldn't be doing this, and secondly you need to have strategies to be able to identify this and shut him down.

It’s one thing to deal with off behaviour from a future patient/client, it’s another to be facing it from someone also training to be a counsellor.

You're training to be a counsellor so I think you need to work on closing down the conversation quicker. Also it seems like he's struggling socially...again you are going to encounter a lot of people who struggle socially. He's done an odd thing...so what? There are lots of people out there that do odd things. It seems harmless. Stick to your boundaries.

This isn't just a lonely older man looking for friendship, it's a man training in a very particular area to work with vulnerable people who should be displaying the highest level of professionalism and caution.

You're right to be cautious and keep your distance

This behaviour isn't about fancying OP

It's possibly "sounding her out " to what he can get away with.

It's totally unprofessional of him especially .

After two days I decided that I would have to reply with something generic, as I didn't want to seem like I was ignoring him or being rude, especially since I was going to see him again soon at a training day.

This is where you are going wrong.
You should not be worrying about ignoring someone or being rude. No-one has the right to demand your attention. It is your right to be as 'rude' as you like, if that just means ignoring unwanted messages.

You have been socialised to be too nice. You need to find your ability to ignore people and not give a second thought about what they think of you.

Send him a picture of your husband’s hands wearing your gloves and see where it goes from there.

IME if your prickdar is going off, it's with good reason.

I think a decent man would be aware of the potential for misunderstanding when chatting one-to-one with a much younger woman. They would be careful to be very, very appropriate.

He knows what he's doing - and so do you.

I’d ask the trainer (in front of everyone) if it’s appropriate to have another classmate as a practice client - I’m sure the trainer will say no!

I don’t think it’s weird at all.

Lots of people make friends through these sorts of courses.
Unfortunately, as we get older this is harder to do and it’s much more awkward.

I recently started a course and we’re all a bit in the awkward stage but I’ve had private messages off both female and male group members.
I’ve also had a couple of photos of things that aren’t anything to do with the course.

I can’t see how sending you a photo of him and his wife’s shoes is weird - surely he would send a photo when his wife isn’t in it.

Not every man is going to fancy you.

Also if you do feel uncomfortable mention his wife, ask how they met etc etc

Think I would have posted the picture in the group chat and look what A just sent me, how funny.

Then just kept everything he said posted to the group chat and answered him in the group chat

I don’t get his message at all and can’t imagine how it’s funny. Unless I’m missing something or there’s context and it followed on from another conversation…

If he’s trying to hit on you then he’s not very good at it & I wouldn’t mention my wife if hitting on someone. If he’s the type to do this he’d surely have more game.

I think it doesn’t really matter at their point unless things change.

I think it's weird him sending you this photo when you dont really know him

Cant you 'accidentely' post it on the group chat

He sounds strange. Why’s he messaging you nonsense completely unprovoked?!

I am actually not sure you are overTHINKING anything. You may be FEELING ‘weird vibes.’ Because the guy is acting weird.

If he weirds you out, then listen to your gut, and keep your distance. And if there is any awkwardness, don’t blame yourself. Being on the same course does not entitle him to your one-on-one attention.

My boyfriend says his behaviour is odd/inappropriate but nothing bad enough to warrant telling the course leader about.

I disagree, he is training to work as a professional with potentially vulnerable people. This could be a fitness to practice issue and the course leader should know without a doubt. Imagine if he did this to a young female patient!

I wouldn’t like this one little bit. It’s already naking you uncomfortable.
I agree with PPs that unless you shut it down there will be more inappropriate messages. He’s testing the waters and they could become explicit instead of just weird.
Trust your gut and tell your course leader about it. And tell him to confine his missives to the group chat.

Sounds like you’re on alert for some reason .. that has gone right over my head

This!

Exactly!