On Thursday 28th March we were asked to attend a Careers Night in the Presentation Secondary School Wexford. When I attended on the night and I met so many enthusiastic and passionate students. I have a degree in Psychology and a masters in Counselling & Psychotherapy are my main qualifications and I’m also the owner of The DMC Clinic so I’ve plenty of perspectives to share.
It’s so important to get an opportunity to talk to people who are working in the profession you would like to train in, so you get more of an idea what the job is like. It also can give you an opportunity to ask questions that a course description won’t say, for example I was asked throughout the night what practises are in place to support a Counsellor or Psychotherapist if they are struggling in their job. I explained that every Counsellor and Psychotherapist attends one to one supervision regularly to discuss any concerns they have. Counsellors and Psychotherapists are also encouraged to attend therapy themselves. In my own words “how can we expect someone to sit in the chair in front of us if we haven’t sat in the chair ourselves”.
Another popular question that I was asked was if it took long to qualify as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist. For me it took 6 years but it varies from person to person. It will take a minimum of 3 to 4 years. There are Counselling and Psychotherapy diplomas and degrees but a psychology degree is also an amazing foundation.
