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When Amy left her role as a head of year in a busy secondary school, she wasn’t simply walking away from education. She was stepping toward a calling that had always been quietly present.
Today, she’s a full-time hypnotherapist and development coach, running her own business and transforming lives. And it all began with a passion for helping others and a willingness to keep learning.
“I Just Like to Learn”
Amy’s professional background is steeped in care and support. As head of year, she not only guided students academically but also took on safeguarding responsibilities. “That’s how I got into this sort of stuff in the first place,” she says. “Helping the staff, helping the students – it all started there.”
But Amy didn’t stop at school-based support. She pursued qualifications in hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and integral eye movement therapy, building a strong foundation in therapeutic practice. Still, something called her back to the books.
“I’d already been qualified for years, but I just like to learn,” she explains. “Being able to do a course online suits my lifestyle.”
That drive led her to the Advanced Counsellor & Psychotherapist Level 4 course with the Association of Learning.
Learning on Her Terms
One of the main draws for Amy was the flexibility. “The only deadline really is just the end of the course,” she says. “It works well for me because I can plan how much time I’ll spend on each unit and just get it done.”
As someone managing a full-time business, she appreciated the structure, or rather, the lack of rigid structure. “You get support from your tutor during the course, but you can go at your own pace. You’re self-sufficient, learning in your own style, using your own resources.”
That self-guided approach encouraged her to dive deeper. “There’s a lot of research involved. You end up using resources and exploring material you wouldn’t necessarily look at otherwise. It expands your awareness.”
A Fresh Perspective on Familiar Concepts
Even though Amy had years of experience, she still found new insights in the course. “Gestalt therapy was something I’d only touched on before,” she says. “But this course gave me a much deeper understanding of the theory behind it.”
She appreciated how the course prompted reflection: “Some of the questions really made me think differently. Even with topics I’d covered before, it helped me see them in a new light.”
Her tutors made the process smooth. “Kerry, my first tutor, was fantastic. She helped me finalise everything. This time, I didn’t need as much support because I understood what was expected, but my assessor was still really supportive.”
Building a Business from Passion
Amy’s journey into private practice began while she was still working part-time in education. “I started by delivering stress workshops for staff and students,” she says. “Then I began working with private clients, and it just grew from there.”
With contracts from organisations like Nudge Education and Age UK, she had the stability to transition away from full-time employment. Now, she’s her own boss and loving it.
“I just like helping people,” Amy says. “When I come off a call and someone’s making the changes they want, I’m smiling for the rest of the day. That’s what it’s all about.”
She’s even been hired back by her old school, this time as a therapist, supporting staff and students through her own business. “I can’t seem to stay away from education,” she laughs. “But this time, I get to help in a much more meaningful way.”
A Simple Path to Growth
Would Amy recommend the Association of Learning? Absolutely. “I already have, to friends and family,” she says. “The prices are reasonable, you can pay monthly, and it’s all online. There’s no excuse, even for busy people.”
If you’re considering expanding your skills in a meaningful and flexible way, Amy’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible. Like her, you might find that investing in yourself is the first step to helping others even more effectively.
Explore the Advanced Counsellor & Psychotherapist Level 4 course and start your own transformative journey.
0333 344 2126