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Original poster

This one's a bit odd

32 replies

thegoodwife · 14/12/2024 18:06

So, someone I am aware of, friend is too strong a word .. is posting that she is a counsellor and mentor after a 2 day online course.. do i call her out? or 'Let it go' in a ' Not my monkey, not my circus' way. She's charging a lot of money for this...

OP posts:
Stirrednshaken · 14/12/2024 20:52

Is it a situation where she should be registered with a regulatory board? Or can anyone set themselves up?

If it's the latter then you have to let it go, people should do their own homework before parting with their cash.

Bananadana · 14/12/2024 20:54

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bernadetteo · 14/12/2024 20:56

do i call her out?

For what?

Xtraincome · 14/12/2024 20:56

Any counsellor or claiming to be should be registered with a regulatory body such BACP, BASRT, BPC, COSCA and UKCP

Ifailed · 14/12/2024 20:57

What's it got to do with you?

Bananadana · 14/12/2024 20:59

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Justmuddlingalong · 14/12/2024 21:16

What she charges and her qualifications and experience have zero to do with you.
You're obviously not going to use her services, so I don't see why any of it's your business.

blacksax · 14/12/2024 21:18

Do people actually pay for this stuff?

XenoBitch · 14/12/2024 21:35

There seems to be a lot of these scam type courses at the moment. One keeps coming up on my FB... a 4 week online course to be a HCA in the NHS with a guranteed job too. Apparently NHS funded. I don't think so.
Also on FB... become a qualified vet by doing a 16 week online course too. Yeah, ok.
It sounds like your friend has fallen for similar and thinks it is legit. If I was wanting a counsellor, I would be making sure they were registered with approved bodies, as mentioned by another poster.

XenoBitch · 14/12/2024 21:37

Justmuddlingalong · 14/12/2024 21:16

What she charges and her qualifications and experience have zero to do with you.
You're obviously not going to use her services, so I don't see why any of it's your business.

Vulnerable people might though.. and it could do them a lot of harm.
It would be like someone saying they can do something like Botox injections for you, after doing a little online course.

Justmuddlingalong · 14/12/2024 21:39

Vulnerable people will be conned whether or not the OP challenges her "friend".

XenoBitch · 14/12/2024 21:40

Justmuddlingalong · 14/12/2024 21:39

Vulnerable people will be conned whether or not the OP challenges her "friend".

But why stand by and let her friend be the one doing the conning?

CandyCane457 · 14/12/2024 21:44

How do you plan to call her out?

Justmuddlingalong · 14/12/2024 21:44

Do you honestly think someone who thinks they are a councillor after a 2 day course is going to listen?
I can't imagine if she's coining it in, she'll care.
I'm not condoning what she's doing, I just don't think she'll take any notice of the OP pulling her up on it.

Bananadana · 14/12/2024 22:05

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XenoBitch · 14/12/2024 22:10

Justmuddlingalong · 14/12/2024 21:44

Do you honestly think someone who thinks they are a councillor after a 2 day course is going to listen?
I can't imagine if she's coining it in, she'll care.
I'm not condoning what she's doing, I just don't think she'll take any notice of the OP pulling her up on it.

The person who did the course was conned themselves.

Original poster
thegoodwife · 15/12/2024 18:22

Thanks everyone for your comments. That's why I asked the question on this forum. Needed a sanity check. I suppose I'm thinking of the '“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke but that's probably overthinking... and it's not evil.. just disingenuous. Thanks again MN

OP posts:
gingerbreadd · 15/12/2024 18:33

Xtraincome · 14/12/2024 20:56

Any counsellor or claiming to be should be registered with a regulatory body such BACP, BASRT, BPC, COSCA and UKCP

Not a legal requirement in this country - anyone can call themselves a counsellor.

OP you can call this person out, but it probably won’t have any effect.

BeachRide · 15/12/2024 18:44

It's not a protected term as far as I know.

Alittlebitfluffy · 15/12/2024 18:56

Must have a lot of time on your hands especially this being a priority to you ten days before Christmas 😂😂

Xtraincome · 15/12/2024 18:59

gingerbreadd · 15/12/2024 18:33

Not a legal requirement in this country - anyone can call themselves a counsellor.

OP you can call this person out, but it probably won’t have any effect.

Show quote history

Oh, I see. Thanks for that, honestly thought it was quite strict. Good to know.

TwigTheWonderKid · 15/12/2024 19:14

Ifailed · 14/12/2024 20:57

What's it got to do with you?

If someone you knew was passing themselves off as able to provide therapy for people in vulnerable situations and you knew they had no skills, inadequate training and no proper qualifications are you telling me you'd keep it quiet? Would you be happy to get help from someone like that?

Honeycrisp · 15/12/2024 19:18

By all means say something, but I can't see how it would do much?

As others have said, these aren't protected terms. She's allowed to offer her shit services if she wants. And if you point out that she's in no way going to be worth the money, she'll delete the post, block you and carry on regardless.

Onlyvisiting · 15/12/2024 19:27

thegoodwife · 14/12/2024 18:06

So, someone I am aware of, friend is too strong a word .. is posting that she is a counsellor and mentor after a 2 day online course.. do i call her out? or 'Let it go' in a ' Not my monkey, not my circus' way. She's charging a lot of money for this...

I'd go more for a passive aggressive comment on her post like ' oh wow, that's amazing, you must have spent so much time training to get qualified, where did you study? So happy for you in your new adventure, yadda yadda'

NameChanges123 · 15/12/2024 19:38

Maybe your friend doesn't actually understand what counselling training entails and that to say you are a 'trained counsellor' and charge money after a two day course could potentially land her (and her clients) in all sorts of trouble.

Despite most PPs 'what's it got to do with you' attitude, I think maybe you should say something (that it's unethical and she could fall foul of consumer protection laws).

She's on very rocky ground and needs to understand exactly what she's doing (unless her intention is to misrepresent herself in order to get money from people).