Anyone doing/done a counselling diploma?

[moopymoo]

..just had first session on mine yesterday and am a bit aaargh. exciting , big commitment, lot of work and pd though! start placement next week, have to deal with real people soon! ANyone been there?

I'm currently doing Psychotherapy training, which is similar in many respects, and I've made it to my third and final year, though not without a struggle.
On my first day, the panic set in, and I thought I'd made the wrong decision, I was on the verge of quitting because the work load seemed impossible. Like you, I had to start a clinical placement, and also find a supervisor and personal therapist. However it did all come together in the end, and what really helped was to focus on one thing at a time, otherwise it did feel very overwhelming if I thought about what lay in store for the next three years.
My DS was only 7 months old at the time, so I found it impossible to do any studying in the evenings because I was too exhausted. When deadlines or exams approached, my DP would take DS out at the weekends whilst I studied, my social life was a bit non existent for a while though!!!
I'm sure you'll do great, don't be too hard on yourself, and don't worry about dealing with clients, you're a trainee and it's ok to make mistakes or feel unsure about what you're supposed to be doing/saying!!!

just read this, fantastic that you are in your final year. the diploma is not too tough i dont think as far as academic stuff goes - i have an msc in something completely unrelated so am generally ok with studying bit, but meeting real clients...aaargh. yes think i need to focus on one thing at a time...also have to have counselling and supevision, loads to sort! then prob no work at the end! what do you plan to do next?

did you do this after a degree or post grad in psychology?

im doing diploma after level 3 course. no degree necessary though i have one in a diff subject. its a different track entirely. its 2 years pt plus 100+ hrs clinical practice plus supervision plus personal counselling.