Dear Alic
I feel that life experience is vital before studying and practising
counselling. Unfortunately far too many counsellors/therapists experience
of the university of life is nil. I'm not surprised that a lot of
patients/clients prefer to see an older practioner who they can judge has
seen something of the world and tasted its bitter and sweet elements.
Best
Gerald
-----Original Message-----
From: alicbowen <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 17 June 2001 16:35
Subject: Re: postgraduate training
>Ian
>Is some of the issue not concerned with the academic ability to search out
>and evaluate other work in chosen areas of counselling? I am currently
>undertaking an MSc and would have been lost without prior learning
>experience at undergrad level. I am not suggesting it is a pre-requisite,
>but that it might be helpful. My first degree was psychology and the
>theoretical underpinning has also been a major help. I have now been
>studying for eight years as well as starting as a mature student with major
>life experience behind me.
>What does anyone else feel about life experience as a pre-requisite to
>studying and practising counselling?
>
>Alic
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Ian <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2001 10:34 PM
>Subject: Re: Discontinuation of course
>
>
>> My main problem with the 'graduate only' approach is that it is actually
a
>> post-graduate approach. In what way does a degree in some other subject
>> enable one to be a better counsellor? Does it not run the risk of
>> counselling becoming a profession solely for the middle-class and well
off
>> (given the huge costs)? True, the theoretical basis for some diploma
>> courses is woefully inadequate. But to what extent is this calling a
>> science rather than an art? Is not the overwhelming evidence that the
>> effectiveness of therapy is dependent on the success of the therapeutic
>> relationship (rather than the underlying theoretical approach) and that
>this
>> mainly arises from the personal qualities of the therapist?
>>
>> I'm afraid that 'professionalisation' is too often about the
>practitioners'
>> need for status rather than actual effectiveness.
>>
>>
>> Ian.
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Discussion on theoretical and research issues in counselling
>> > psychology [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Paul Carney
>> > Sent: 16 June 2001 19:49
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> >
>> >
>> > There is a place for training at all levels of 'education',
>> > without restricting it to any given level. To argue that
>> > 'academia' is a bad thing is rubbishing the research and other
>> > material that came out of such a background. We should also
>> > recognise that most of the 'founders' of therapy were
>> > 'academics' of one sort or another. I'm actually not sure what
>> > the 'beef' is about 'professionalisation'. If you mean making
>> > the entry gate harder for people to enter then I would agree
>> > that it's a problem, but for me it's also about ensuring that
>> > the standards of training and education, and by that the
>> > standard of pracice is safe and adequate for the job. I doubt
>> > that we would want to go to a doctor who had only served an
>> > apprenticeship (as in days of old) so I can't actually see why
>> > we would want to have people that are not equally as well
>> > trained to give counsel.
>> >
>> > I appreciate that, as an 'academic' I have a personal interest
>> > here, but I think that too often the world of academia is seen
>> > as bad for no apparent valid reason. My personal belief is that
>> > we need to become more 'professional' -- as a member of the
>> > sanctions panel for BACP, an ex-adjudicator, and an ex-member of
>> > the complaints committee, and the Standards and Ethics
>> > Committee, I have seen too many practitioners who were woefully
>> > inadequately prepared to act as counsellors. While I recognise
>> > that a professional standard of training in itself will not
>> > guarantee 'excellence', I believe that we have to grasp the
>> > nettle and ensure that we install adequate levels of training
>> > and education for oiurselves. If we don't then others WILL do it
>> > for us.
>> >
>> > Sorry if I sound as if I'm on my 'high horse', but I am. 8-)
>> > The solution to 'professionalisation' was in my opinion tried by
>> > Pol Pot in Cambodia -- please recognise that 'academia' itself
>> > isn't any more bad than a lack of it and let's work together.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > =====
>> > Best wishes
>> >
>> > Paul
>> >
>> > ____________________________________________________________
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>> >
>>
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