"I chose to study the MSc in Therapeutic Counselling at the University of Greenwich because of the reputation of the department and the course" Skye told us. "The MSc at Greenwich is one of the oldest BACP accredited courses in the UK and I wanted to ensure I was choosing a robust training experience."
We asked Skye about her experience at Greenwich. "Training to be a counsellor is a challenging experience and I believe it should be. It is such a personal as well as a professional process and is something that was never shied away from in my training. This process is skillfully facilitated by the lecturers and students are provided with the environment to explore and discover themselves." She added "We were told in the first year that the course would change us, and I can say with absolute certainty that it did."
Skye goes on to explain "I certainly found the course to be challenging in both an academic and personal capacity at varying points across my three years. It exceeded my expectations. I don't think I was fully aware of the journey I was in for, and I am very grateful to have had the training I have had. It was only really after graduating and going out into the workplace that I could appreciate the quality of my training and of the teaching on the MSc. The integration of theory, skills and case discussion groups was something that I really enjoyed during my time on the MSc. My final year dissertation was an opportunity to really dig into a topic I was passionate about, and it has shaped my future training and career as a psychosexual therapist."
Skye is currently a Teaching Fellow in Counselling and the module leader for the undergraduate counselling courses here at the University of Greenwich. She also has a busy private practice where she practices general counselling as well as psychosexual therapy.
When we asked Skye about her lecturers, she told us "Lecturers were skilled clinicians and I have been privileged to get to know them as colleagues now. The high quality of the course is a true reflection of the counselling team."
Skye also spoke about her placement during the course. She observed "My placement was hugely impactful on my development and my career progression. I worked at a charity called One in Four offering long term therapy to clients who had experienced childhood sexual trauma. This played a huge role in my current career path and specialisation in sexual trauma."
It was pleasing to hear Skye talk about the social side of the course. She stated "I made a number of good friends on my training who I am still friends with to this day. The training provides you with a network of colleagues and you can build professional links in the classroom that move with you into the profession." She added "I have a professional network of friends from my course and colleagues I have worked with throughout my career, and we share referrals, resources and support."
To conclude, we asked Skye if she would recommend the course that she undertook. She responded "I would absolutely recommend the MSc in Therapeutic Counselling at the University of Greenwich. It is not a small undertaking and should be carefully considered if now is the right time for you. One needs to be in a place to be able to commit the time and personal resources that it requires." She went on to say, "However, when you are ready, it is a lifechanging experience. Working as a therapist is the achievement, I am most proud of and I continue to find the profession humbling, inspirational and a fundamental privilege. This quite simply wouldn't be possible without the training I undertook at Greenwich."
We wish Skye all the best for the future and thank her for sharing her motivating story with us.
