Thinking of retraining as a psychotherapist in London. Advice needed.

[pinkbats]

Hi,

I've n/c for this as the idea is in its infancy.. I've been doing a lot of research for courses in London but they all seem to be during the evening. Does anyone have any advice on courses which might offer some day-time study. I have school age children so really wanted to try and make the most of school hours as much as possible. During weekends I would hand the dcs over to husband.

I still haven't quite nailed down which approach I'm more interested in...

Please do let me know whether this might be placed in another forum if its out of kilter here!
Thanks so much,
PB.

Anyone ?

Open university?

Its so expensive to train. You usually have to have weekly therapy along with the training. So you are shelling out for tuition fees plus therapy. Also some places leave trying to find clients to you. Thats what put me off. I couldnt afford it. Birkbeck do it in the evening.

Whereabouts in london are you? Are there unis in hertfordshire/essex/ surrey you could commute to? Will you be able to afford childcare if you have a 4pm lecture?

Have a look on the CPCAB website to see where there are accredited courses. The colleges round me (not London, sorry) do a mix of daytime and evening courses.

I'll warn you though, it's a bit of a long slog! 4 years part time, year 4 in reality virtually full time because you have to do so much client work and have your own therapy. Then getting a job normally requires accreditation, which is another couple of years worth of experience which you inveitably have to do unpaid!

Not trying to put you off (honestly!) as it's fascinating stuff but worth doing some research to see what you're getting yourself in to!

Hi All

Thanks so much for your replies. I've been off this thread as half term.

Frisbee - so when you did your 4th year am I right in thinking it wasn't enough hours to be accredited ? . Did you know that going in ? Or was it more that you were so busy with domestic / work / study juggle that you couldn't fit in enough hours?

I was - perhaps incorrectly - under the impression that by the time you graduate that the hours are enough for accreditation ?

May I ask whether you did the M.A? And if so is it worth the extra study time / expense compared to a Diploma ?
Thanks so much in advance and apols for late acknowledgement of your post.