I am 48, an ex-academic, and have been combining SAHM-ing and a part-time role in early years education for some years now. It is time to make a move, and perhaps a bold one. I have been considering a few possibilities, but am finding it hard to find relevant information about training/pathways in Scotland particularly. I am in Edinburgh and due to family commitments, am not up for moving.
I am interested in psychology and in counselling/psychotherapy. I know that these are very different options, but I have interests in both, and I am finding it difficult to choose a direction. I wonder if anyone could help with info/advice on any of the following options…
- Psychology conversion MSc - I’m considering this because it is a broader base from which to start, and will give me time and insight into exactly which direction to take it. I could see myself taking this towards research/teaching/academia or subsequently training further. I considered Clin Psych briefly, but the competition and time it takes is off-putting, plus I am not entirely sure I am interested in some of the areas of work. CAAP training post-conversion course might be an option. I see this can be done in Stirling/Dundee or in Edinburgh for children & young people. I know very little about this route though, so if anyone has thoughts, I’d love to hear them. For example, what is the job market like post training? What kinds of places do people end up working, and with what kinds of presenting problems? I know of someone who does this in a gp surgery, but I don’t know how common this is, my (pretty large) surgery does not offer this.
- Train to become a counsellor or psychotherapist. The routes into this are very confusing, and I have questions - is it better to look for a COSCA or BACP accredited course? is a university or college necessarily a better place to study than with a private organisation? anyone have any recommendations for Edinburgh specifically?
- Something entirely different. University Student Adviser roles look interesting. As does career guidance (or maybe this is just because I need some!!), thinking particularly about university settings or private in this case, though again, I have only a bare understanding about the training and job opportunities.
This post is very long with a lot of questions embedded in it, but if you have advice on any of it, I’d be so grateful to hear. Thanks!