At UCW we love nothing more than hearing about our learners’ positive experiences, successes and achievements!
Recently we caught up with Fdsc Counselling learner, Rebecca Pepper, to hear all about her time studying Counselling at UCW.
UCW’s Counselling Foundation degree programme provides learners with professional insight into how to help and support vulnerable people to make positive life choices, as well as how to manage and deal with mental health challenges. This qualification also allows learners to officially register as a councillor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
The BACP is an organisation that supports and champions the counselling profession as a way of making a positive impact to people’s mental well-being.
Rebecca, who previously studied Level 2 and Level 3 Counselling at Weston College, says she was drawn to studying the Counselling Foundation Degree as it felt like a natural progression, and she was already familiar with the positive and welcoming ethos UCW promotes.
We wanted to find out everything from Rebecca’s personal experience and highlights of the course to her expert insider advice for prospective students.
In order to do so, we asked Rebecca as series of questions.
This is what she had to say.
Rebecca Pepper Q&A
Every lesson has been invaluable, teaching practical skills for in the counselling room along with the theory behind this which would be drawn upon regularly.
Having a placement to complete the mandatory 100 client hours was an incredible experience. Working for a local charity who were fully supportive has given me the grounding to continue my counselling journey towards paid employment.
I had a life changing experience on the Ammerdown retreat weekend in March. Having missed this in 2021 due to covid I was going to make the best of the experience. Being away from home allowed me the time to reflect on what was taking place that weekend. Having a regular personal development group in uni was good but having to go home to normal life straight after I was never able to go deep into my feelings of what was going on for me. Being away allowed me time for myself, to acknowledge my feelings and have the space to process these. It was also great to socialise with my peers outside of the uni environment. escription
Absolutely and I have already encouraged several friends to begin their counselling journey. It's a life changing course that allows time for personal growth along with professional development.
Yes, the tutors have been supportive and encouraging throughout my journey. Each tutor has brought something different into the lectures and has been a really good mix of theory, practical and experiential learning.
I'm currently looking for further placement experience of which I have been offered in another local charity to expand on the learning I have already gained.
I would encourage anyone considering a move into the counselling profession to go for it! You are never too old to learn new skills and develop personally. I started the course at 40 having not been to uni before, second to my children it's the best thing I have ever done!
Thank you, Rebecca!
To find out more about our HE opportunities in Counselling click here.
To find out how you can apply click here.
