“ The counselling course has had a positive impact on my life. I learned skills which not only are essential to becoming an effective counsellor but have also had a bearing on how I have dealt with day to day circumstances in my life. Through a recent bereavement I found skills I had learned in the course helped me to be there for other family members. The course made me aware of times when I needed to take a step back and take care of myself. I was able to do this and know when to seek help. The skills I learned in the course have also helped me in my job. I meet many new people on a regular basis and so their first impression of me and how I conduct myself is essential. Interpersonal skills I learned such as active listening, empathy and set induction have all played a part in how I now deal with people when I meet them and help to create a more positive first impression. Communication skills I had before the course have also been more finely tuned. I feel that due to the course I have acquired new effective interpersonal and communication skills as well as developed personally.”

“Personally, I really enjoyed the content of the course and the opportunity to use some of the techniques and skills learned from the course to personally interact with others. I found that the interpersonal skills I developed in class have been effective in every day interactions. The personal development aspect of the course for me proved to be a very enriching experience. Skills, techniques and personal development from the course gave me back some of the confidence to interact with the public which I had lost over the years of being at home. As an employer, I gained understanding and a great insight into the lives of others and their working conditions. I could empathise with people and understood the things which upset them and how to motivate and value their contribution to the workplace. It made me appreciate the great home life which I have and also helped me to understand how different and difficult life can be for others. Having not studied for some 22 years, I thought the course might be too difficult for me to concentrate, however another plus, I have learned that my intellectual ability is still alive.”

“Completing Introduction to Counselling has meant a lot to me both on a personal level and on a professional level. Perhaps not the intention, it provided me with an avenue to recognise little fears or weaknesses within myself and I was able to face these fears and gradually develop into overcoming them. This process, week by week, enabled me to be fully confident within myself and in turn I felt more capable and at ease within my duties at work. I am a key worker at a Women’s Aid refuge and the skills I have gained on the counselling course have been of great benefit. In my daily role I put into practice with residents the ethos of self-help, empowering the women to face new challenges at their own pace and within their own comfort zone. In carrying out one to one sessions I am now fully aware of the significance of probing but not pressurising, showing empathy rather than being sympathic, and holding back on my own opinions; instead I provide the women with an arena where they find their own answers, can set goals and ultimately reach these goals in a supportive environment.

My reflection upon the course is positive, from meeting new people to learning and implementing theory and techniques. I found the course very worthwhile and will continue to implement what I learned within my work, as well as having found new positives about myself. I think I have gained strengths in so many ways. “

“The introduction to counselling course I attended last year had a profound effect on my life in many ways, from learning new skills such as the use of empathy, assertiveness and understanding body language for example. I also gained great insight on how my own thoughts and feelings affected my every day life. One of the best parts of the course was the personal development and self awareness classes. The things I learned during each class forms an invaluable part of how I live each day. Tillie is an excellent tutor, supplying her students with loads of information and handouts for each night’s class. Her energy, drive and unflappable positive attitude makes Tillie a fantastic tutor with whom I would like to work with again.”

“ By taking part in the Introduction to counselling, I was able to explore various aspects of my life and feelings concerning those aspects.”