Anyone here working as a counsellor after doing and online counselling course/qualification? Is it possible?

[Whattodonext2020]

Hi all, Is anyone here working as a counsellor after obtaining a qualification (certificate/diploma level) in counselling but done online. I live abroad and am finding it difficult to narrow down the course providers for online courses. The OU is too expensive. Can anyone offer any advice or recommend courses that will give me a recognised counselling qualification. Thank you.

The OU is SO expensive isn’t it!! I was shocked.

no idea about online courses, I’m studying counselling with my very local very big-standard college - because there seem to be no shortcuts in counselling training. You have to start at the bottom with basic qualifications and work your way up - I’m currently doing a level 2 certificate which is apparently equivalent to a GCSE standard despite the fact I have postgrad qualifications in another subject.

Sorry - bog standard

I did some modules with them back in 2011 when they charged per module which was so much cheaper. £6000 a year is too much.
I have a feeling I may have to wait until we are back in the U.K. and enrol at a local college like you have.

No, you can't learn counselling skills properly online.

Even if you intend to practise entirely online once qualified, you need to understand and experience it in real life to appreciate what the online experience is missing, and accommodate for that.

You learn first in real life, then you adapt for online. Not vice versa. Even if you do your course through the OU, they will require you to do a placement which will be face to face.

You need to do an in-person course at an educational establishment. In the UK you can't qualify and register with CPCAB by doing an online course.

I’m a therapist but would hugely recommend NOT doing an online training programme. Appreciate mine is different but When we had to do a little online due to Covid it was hideous. I hate working with clients online and there is a push from clients to be in person too.

If you have to train online look for somewhere that is accredited to BACP or UKCP and expects placement of about 120hrs per year.

Hello- really interested to hear what came of this? Did you do an online course? I'm wondering about doing a diploma online.

Any feedback very welcome!!

No I didn’t as the advice wasn’t that positive!

As above - when training to be a counsellor it is very important to do face to face work in the room with the client. Counselling is about carefully building a therapeutic relationship, and you need to learn to do that in real life, with a client in front of you.

Once you have experienced that, you will have a better understanding of what is lost through working remotely.

You simply can't develop into a good counsellor if you have only ever learned online - this is a widely held view in the profession. And really, why would you do something if you can't do it well?