Choosing the right counselling or psychotherapy training course is an important decision and a significant investment in yourself and your future. Your choice of college is therefore extremely important. Here at Iron Mill College we are known nationally for delivering training of exceptional relevance and quality, combining academic excellence with experiential depth.
The balance of this approach ensures that our students not only master the knowledge and techniques of their chosen field but also cultivate the adaptability and skill needed to be exceptional counsellors and psychotherapists. Our ethos is to partner with our students in a learning environment that actively fosters the mutual exchange of ideas, insights, and experiences. our commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement sets the foundation for a transformative educational experience. We are proud of our reputation for fostering a vibrant, supportive environment that encourages students to challenge themselves academically while developing skills that will serve them well beyond their time here.
So, if you're reading this, you have already taken the first step. Here are a few things to think about when choosing a course
1. What personal or career outcomes do you want from the course? Choose a course that will help you achieve your goals be that a new career, professional development or pursuing a personal interest.
2. Research the course content. Review the syllabus to make sure the topics align with your interests. The course should give you a robust understanding of theory but you’ll need to practise what you’re learning – so ensure skills work is a core part of the curriculum. Is the course quality checked or accredited by a recognised organisation such as BACP, NCPS or UKCP.
3. Consider the learning format. If you’re considering a career change then you’re most likely to be in employment already, or juggling family commitments. It's important to be comfortable that you can manage the course schedule and workload alongside other commitments. This may influence your choice of full-time, part-time, in-person, online or hybrid courses.
4. Look at the finances. Consider the costs, including any add ons such as personal therapy and travel costs. You may have funding options such as bespoke payments or student loans, depending on the course.
5. Check out the provider. Attend an open day or online course presentation and take time to speak with someone if you have any questions.
What's the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy share similar goals of helping individuals manage mental health issues, improve emotional well-being, and make positive life changes. However, they differ in scope, focus, and depth:
1. Scope and Depth
Counselling is generally shorter-term and tends to address specific issues, such as coping with a life transition (e.g., grief, career change, relationship issues). It often focuses on practical problem-solving and emotional support, generally concentrating on current problems and behaviours. It is possible to qualify as a counsellor after 2-3 years of training at level 4/5.
Psychotherapy tends to be longer-term and dives deeper into understanding and changing more complex emotional and psychological patterns. It may explore past experiences and relationships to help uncover underlying issues that affect current behaviour and mental health. Training for psychotherapy is taught at level 7 and typically it takes at last 5 years to qualify.
2. Focus
Counselling usually targets immediate concerns and is often more structured, with specific goals in mind. The approach can sometimes be more directive, offering guidance and strategies to help clients manage or resolve their concerns.
Psychotherapy is often more exploratory and introspective. Therapists work to help clients gain insights into deeper patterns of thought and behaviour, fostering self-awareness and promoting lasting change, which can involve delving into early life experiences or complex emotions.
3. Types of Issues Addressed
Counselling is typically suitable for individuals dealing with situational stressors or life adjustments that they need help coping with, such as academic or work stress, family issues, or personal goals.
Psychotherapy is often recommended for individuals dealing with more persistent mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, personality disorders, or other chronic psychological challenges.
4. Training and Techniques
Both counsellors and psychotherapists are trained mental health professionals, but psychotherapists often receive additional or specialised training in treating more complex mental health issues. Psychotherapists might use specific therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). UKCP registration requires other learning such as understanding serious conditions such as psychosis and other life threatening conditions.
Counsellors may also use therapeutic techniques, but their training often focuses on providing guidance, support, and coping strategies rather than intensive, long-term psychological work.
Summary
In short, counselling is generally more focused on present issues and short-term support, while psychotherapy is a more in-depth, longer-term approach aimed at deep-seated psychological healing and personal transformation. However, in practice, there is often an overlap, and some professionals use the terms interchangeably depending on their training and the context of their work.
In person v online
Here at Iron Mill, our core courses are delivered in person with some online training. As a relational college we believe that face to face training is advantageous for number of reasons:
- Counselling and psychotherapy is inherently relational, requiring strong communication, empathy, and active listening skills. In-person training allows students to practise these skills in face-to-face settings. This mirrors the therapeutic alliance counsellors and psychotherapists aim to build with clients
- Understanding nonverbal communication is crucial for counsellors. In-person training allows trainees to observe and respond to body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues, which can be more difficult to grasp in virtual settings.
- Role-playing are more dynamic and realistic in person, as they include physical presence, tone, and other contextual elements.
- In-person training fosters deeper relationships among trainees. This network can become a valuable source of support, collaboration, and professional growth throughout their careers.
- Online training often comes with distractions, such as multitasking or technical difficulties. In-person sessions create an environment where students can stay focused and engaged.
- When training involves discussing emotional and sensitive topics, a physical environment can provide a safer, more contained space for participants to process emotions and engage in meaningful discussions.
- In-person training helps students develop a confident and professional presence that is harder to cultivate through virtual platforms.
- Trust and rapport, both vital to counseling, are easier to develop in face-to-face interactions..
What career prospects are there in counselling and psychotherapy?
The field of counselling and psychotherapy is very broad. Some graduates go on to work part-time in private practice, some work full-time in schools, addiction centres or charities, and some pursue their own area of interest by providing a new service in their community. Most graduates go on to work at least part-time in counselling or psychotherapy, but some simply continue with their original career (e.g. teachers, civil servants, etc.) whilst utilising their new skills.
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Why Iron Mill College?
Iron Mill College offers accredited courses, academic standards, experiential learning, experienced lecturers with student focused training and classes.
