We have five categories of affiliates:
1. Trainees. All trainees will already have completed a Certificate in Counselling and are now on a professional training course working toward their 'Diploma in Counselling' qualification. As a part of this on-going training they are required to see real clients and build up their counselling experience. They will all be closely "supervised", which means that their work is closely monitored by a very experienced counsellor. Most training courses will not permit them to receive money whilst in training so the fee for them simply pays for the cost of the room rent.
We will ALWAYS tell you when you are seeing a trainee. Some counselling organisations will use trainees without this fact being made clear to clients!
The Principle Therapist at Counselling Works Now will personally interview all Trainees before they are accepted as Affiliates.
2. First year Diploma. These counsellors have a minimum of a Diploma in Counselling, which means they have at least 450 hours training and are therefore qualified. They completed this training within the last year. They now need to build up their experience as they work towards Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
The Principle Therapist at Counselling Works Now will personally interview all First year Diploma counsellors before they are accepted as Affiliates.
3. Second year + Diploma. As category 2 above, but two or more years after qualifying.
4. Accredited Counsellors. To be Accredited a counsellor must have completed at least 450 hours training plus a minimum of at least an additional 450 hours experience with clients. The Accreditation is awarded by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. There are about 3000 Accredited counsellors in the UK. The counsellor is required to demonstrate a clear understanding of counselling theory and back that up with case study material.
5.BACP Senior Registered Practitioner. To reach this standard the counsellor must have been accredited for at least 6 years (so probably has at least 10 years experience) and have completed at least 1,000 hours with clients.
Our Principle Therapist was first BACP Accredited in 1989 and has 9,000 hours experience. (updated Jan 2005 - will still be increasing!) |
