Has anyone qualified as a Counsellor with the Open University?

[52andblue]

Just that really?

Anyone ?

Hi Op, came on to see if you had responses because I’m just at the start of re-training as a counsellor myself, doing a post grad at a university. Not OU but I was curious how others were finding it. Hope you get responses!

@Popskipiekin - where are you doing your training?

@52andblue I am about to start a degree in Psychology and Counselling with the OU. The counselling part doesn't have a practical element though - they're just additional modules to supplement the psychology part.

The OU does do some sort of foundation degree in Counselling, but I think this depends on there being the right centres near to your region - and you'd still have to do additional hours to qualify for BACP registration (and there may be other practical training/courses you'd need to do to qualify - though I could be wrong).

You might be better off having a look to see what your local colleges offer in the way of Counselling courses first. I might be wrong about the foundation degree of course though, so hopefully a MNer who knows more about this than I do will will be able to advise you better.

What is the course you’ve found via the OU?

When I looked at training, I think there was the level 2/3/4 which were a good few years to do.

@52andblue I’m doing the 3 year part time post grad diploma at edinburgh university. It starts as a one year certificate in counselling skills and then you have to interview for the next 2 year bit which is when placements are introduced. I’m just on the first year currently. There is so much reading! They did warn us we’d need 12-15 personal study hours on top of the 1 contact day but I reckon it could easily absorb 20 hours. I was finding it almost impossible alongside 4 day job and young kids and I’ve actually just quit my job in finance to focus on counselling & family for next 6 months. I’ve always worked fairly flat out so really looking forward to change of pace and seeing kids a bit more. I’m not entirely sure if counselling will end up being a career change but just taking things as they come.

Have you started at the OU yet or just considering? What’s prompted you to consider a change?

@AristotlesTrousers
I looked into the OU about 6m ago so don't remember perfectly. I know they don't liaise with the BACP (who have the stranglehold on accreditation I think) and the other vaidator they used didn't have many Supervisors near me (I am rural Scottish Borders). As I have Carers responsibilities that didn't seem practical although I guess a lot more can be achieved by Teams/ Zoom these days.

@Popskipiekin
I took a Counselling Certificate at Edinburgh College many years ago & then the Post Grad Diploma at Strathclyde Uni in 1999. It was then 3 years as a Student Counsellor before the BAC (as it was then) would accredit you. I worked for 5 years but then had my 1st child who has SN. My 2nd child does too and I am only just now being able to find some time for myself again. As it has been so long, I need to retrain really as no one will give me a placement with training that is so out of date & without a current client list I can't get accreditation from the BACP & therefore insurance to practice I understand? Frustrating. I'd be interested to hear how you get on at Edinburgh.

@AristotlesTrousers I am starting that degree at the end of January too! I am so excited. I can't wait to get started.

Are they accredited? If not it's not a great route.

OU isn't accredited. You have to do a counselling course alongside. I just felt a degree would make me more employable really. I'm getting on a bit and only have a short time to build a career.

Good luck @stinkycheeseman - v. excited here too!

@52andblue how funny you’re in Scotland too I was thinking, “well I can tell OP where I’m doing it but it’s not like they’ll be anywhere near by”…. How wrong I was haha.
How frustrating you need to retrain when you’re already qualified. Well done for getting back to it, must be disheartening having to go back to the beginning, really hope it works out for you.

I’m just treating the cert year as a bit of a hobby / trial. I’ll have to make a call at the end of it whether I carry on or go back to finance. I’m not exactly sure how much I rate the course or the tutors and it’s a lot of money to throw at it when I’m only 50/50 currently. But I needed a change and it’s a fun diversion for now.