Presentation by Juliet Couch, Consultant Counselling Psychologist, at the University of Sussex, March 2014

1. A Career in CounsellingA Career in Counselling
PsychologyPsychology
Juliet CoucheJuliet Couche
Consultant Counselling PsychologistConsultant Counselling Psychologist

2. My career path …My career path …
►An undergraduate psychology degreeAn undergraduate psychology degree
►Public relations for charities andPublic relations for charities and
government departments for PR agencygovernment departments for PR agency
►Freelance PRFreelance PR
►Volunteering for the SamaritansVolunteering for the Samaritans
►Postgraduate certificate in counsellingPostgraduate certificate in counselling
psychologypsychology

3. My career path…My career path…
►Continued PR freelancing to fund trainingContinued PR freelancing to fund training
►Following PG Cert accepted onto MSc inFollowing PG Cert accepted onto MSc in
counselling psychologycounselling psychology
►Two year MSc, one year Post MSc DiplomaTwo year MSc, one year Post MSc Diploma
to meet chartered status with BPSto meet chartered status with BPS
►Three year training took 6 years!Three year training took 6 years!

4. Counselling or clinical psychologyCounselling or clinical psychology
►No funded training programmeNo funded training programme
►Increased focus on the therapeuticIncreased focus on the therapeutic
relationshiprelationship
►No child or older people specific placementsNo child or older people specific placements
required, nor NHSrequired, nor NHS
►Less emphasis on neuropsychologyLess emphasis on neuropsychology
►Placements are selected by the individualPlacements are selected by the individual
►Personal therapyPersonal therapy

5. Clinical or counselling psychologyClinical or counselling psychology
► Definitions of clinical and counselling psychologyDefinitions of clinical and counselling psychology
are merging more and moreare merging more and more
► More jobs now directed at both counselling andMore jobs now directed at both counselling and
clinical psychologistsclinical psychologists

6. Training optionsTraining options
► BPS independent route, cheaper but challengingBPS independent route, cheaper but challenging
► Accredited courses, more expensive but flexibleAccredited courses, more expensive but flexible
► MSc and Post MSc diploma now DPsych widelyMSc and Post MSc diploma now DPsych widely
available in line with clinical trainingavailable in line with clinical training
► Historically an older intakeHistorically an older intake
► Second careerSecond career
► This is changing……This is changing……

7. Flexibility in trainingFlexibility in training
►Choosing NHS placements in years 2 & 3Choosing NHS placements in years 2 & 3
enabled NHS job opportunitiesenabled NHS job opportunities
►Possible to qualify as a charteredPossible to qualify as a chartered
counselling psychologist without havingcounselling psychologist without having
worked in the NHSworked in the NHS
►Flexibility (fitting around work if self funding)Flexibility (fitting around work if self funding)

8. My placementsMy placements
►Women’s counselling serviceWomen’s counselling service
►Special school staff counselling serviceSpecial school staff counselling service
►Youth bereavement serviceYouth bereavement service
►Parent counselling service through LEAParent counselling service through LEA
► NHS secondary mental health services -NHS secondary mental health services -
PTS and CMHTPTS and CMHT

9. Employment historyEmployment history
► Placements with Sussex Partnership NHS TrustPlacements with Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
led to employment as team psychologist in CMHTled to employment as team psychologist in CMHT
► Worked in a range of CMHTs on bank and partWorked in a range of CMHTs on bank and part
time permanent contracts as team psychologisttime permanent contracts as team psychologist
► Now… clinical lead for Health in Mind, primaryNow… clinical lead for Health in Mind, primary
care and IAPT service across East Sussexcare and IAPT service across East Sussex
► CBT Accredited and EMDR trainedCBT Accredited and EMDR trained
► Specialist interest in complex trauma, anger andSpecialist interest in complex trauma, anger and
violence, working with veteransviolence, working with veterans

10. Aspects of the roleAspects of the role
► Assessment, including assessment of mental health needs, riskAssessment, including assessment of mental health needs, risk
assessment and psychometric testing.assessment and psychometric testing.
► Formulation (i.e. a psychological explanation of the genesis andFormulation (i.e. a psychological explanation of the genesis and
maintenance of the psychological problem)maintenance of the psychological problem)
► Planning and implementation of therapyPlanning and implementation of therapy
► Report writing and record keepingReport writing and record keeping
► Evaluation of the outcome of therapyEvaluation of the outcome of therapy
► Supervision and training of other psychologistsSupervision and training of other psychologists
► Multidisciplinary team work and team facilitationMultidisciplinary team work and team facilitation
► Service and organisational developmentService and organisational development
► Audit and evaluationAudit and evaluation
► Research and developmentResearch and development
► Management of servicesManagement of services

11. What is relevant experience and howWhat is relevant experience and how
do I get it?do I get it?
►It is often an entry requirement of theIt is often an entry requirement of the
counselling psychology courses to havecounselling psychology courses to have
completed a basic counselling skills coursecompleted a basic counselling skills course
►IAPT PWP trainingIAPT PWP training
►VolunteeringVolunteering

12. How do I become a counsellingHow do I become a counselling
psychologist?psychologist?
► To become a BPS chartered counselling psychologist, you will needTo become a BPS chartered counselling psychologist, you will need
the following qualifications:the following qualifications:
► Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC, previously known asGraduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC, previously known as
GBR). This is achieved by completing a Society accredited degree orGBR). This is achieved by completing a Society accredited degree or
conversion courseconversion course
► Society accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or theSociety accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or the
Society’s Qualification in Counselling PsychologySociety’s Qualification in Counselling Psychology
► In order to use the title Counselling Psychologist, you will need to beIn order to use the title Counselling Psychologist, you will need to be
registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Thisregistered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This
will involve completing a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (orwill involve completing a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (or
equivalent) that has been approved by the HCPC. Please contact theequivalent) that has been approved by the HCPC. Please contact the
HCPC directly for more information on the entry requirements for theirHCPC directly for more information on the entry requirements for their
register.register.

13. Where they workWhere they work
► Counselling psychologists work almost anywhereCounselling psychologists work almost anywhere
there are people. industry, commerce, the prisonthere are people. industry, commerce, the prison
service and in all layers of education from primaryservice and in all layers of education from primary
school to university. About half of all counsellingschool to university. About half of all counselling
psychologists are employed to do clinical work inpsychologists are employed to do clinical work in
health and social care settings. Other career pathshealth and social care settings. Other career paths
can be found in teaching and research forcan be found in teaching and research for
academic bodies. Counselling psychologists alsoacademic bodies. Counselling psychologists also
practise privately.practise privately.