I have just finished the CPCAB Counselling Level 2 course and thought it would be good to put in some tips, for any students who maybe doing the same course. This is based on the 2016/17 curriculum.
1. The course can seem to be tough with a high drop out, so make sure you are ready to take it, there is no shame putting it off for a year or so.
2. You will need to get through an English and Maths assessment and an interview to make sure the college (in my case) accept you are ready.
3. Don't buy your course books until you start the course, as they aren't always needed. In fact we didn't use any of those listed on the enrolment letter. However, the teachers did work significantly from the following book, which we found out about through gossip etc:
Counselling Skills and Studies by Ballantine Dykes, Koppe and Postings. Sage Publications Ltd, London, ISBN 978-1-462-9402-4
4. Most class sizes are about 15 in the beginning, our year was split into two of that size, but as I said there is a large drop out, so don't worry too much on the size of class.
5. You will be told what colour binder/folder to get and do get one, it needs to be a large ring binder in the required colour (it was blue in my year). I suggest you get one large and one smaller, the later for travelling, with the first containing your portfolio. The said portfolio will be given in for marking at the college so don't spend a lot on the large folder.
6. You may wish to have a way to type up assignments and have a printer, but not necessary.
7. You will be doing a LOT of written work, when I mean a LOT I mean a huge amount.
8. Do take pen and paper with you to the class, you will need to take notes on the theory, but also while doing triad observation. What are they? A triad is when you do a mock counselling session, so you will have the helper (unqualified counsellor), the helpee (the client/patient) and one observer. During the later role you make notes on the helper.
9. Get to know the forms you fill in and what goes on what and do them asap after the class. It's much easier that way. Always keep a copy of what you have written, just in case something goes missing, plus some have to go to other students so it's best to keep what you have done.
10. A MUST is to get to know the criteria and what it means. Really work hard on getting to know what the TEACHER wants you to write on each of these, it is key to portfolio passing the college internal requirements.
11. When you begin to hit criteria keep a list of the ones you have and the ones you need to get, it's going to help when nearing the end of the course.
12. As far as talking about your own personal stuff, it depends on the teacher, some want you to act a fictional triad, while others like you to talk about yourself. The class should have a confidential privacy agreement between each other, so no worries on repeating outside, plus remember to keep yourself self safe before revealing anything too personal.
13. Print a copy of the Ethic Framework from the BACP website, as that is used a lot in class, and what the CPCAB base their work on. The CPCAB also have a website for their forms, student information etc:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/http://www.cpcab.co.uk/14. Be on time, be prepared to work, and get your work in on time.
15. You will get 3 x 2000 word assignments to write about a given subject. Most of them are easy, but you will need to hit criteria in them which makes them harder.
16. You can use events outside the classroom in your journals which also help you hit criteria.
17. The whole year is significant and you will grow from it, so you will meet some long term friends.
18 As for the drop out mentioned before, in my class it started with 15 with 8 finishing the year. It is vital you keep up the portfolio, as a lot had to rush to get it finished for the entry time, and a few didn't put it in at all.
19. The time in the class is not only sad but mostly funny, you will feel every emotion you can and it's not all bad. It really makes you investigate yourself, how you feel about things, and how you came to certain ways of thinking. You'll finish the year really feeling you have accomplished something. Some wont want to carry on, while the others will be so excited to carry on into the next year.
I hope that has helped who ever is reading this. I for one found it hard, but really enjoyable. I start Level 3 in a couple of days, so good luck to you all doing the same this week. Yes I found I really enjoyed the course and I'm so excited to start back at the next level.
PM me if you want to know more.
PS Oh this counselling course is not the same a psychology. If you want to do the later they work in different ways, so will not count towards a degree in psychology. You will still need to do the full 3 year degree.