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
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Get your free @yahoo.co.uk address at http://mail.yahoo.co.uk
> > or your free @yahoo.ie address at http://mail.yahoo.ie
> >
>
|