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Driven by curiosity and care, Michelle took a course in counselling and psychotherapy to deepen her understanding of others and herself.
Learning for the Right Reasons
Michelle didn’t take the Advanced Counsellor & Psychotherapist Level 4 course to change jobs immediately. She enrolled to better understand the people she works with, especially the children she supports every day.
As a supervised learning assistant, Michelle works with children who need extra support in English. Often, she finds herself playing a parenting or pastoral role too.
“It wasn’t just about getting a qualification,” she says. “It was something I’ve always been genuinely interested in. I’ve always wanted to understand how the mind works.”
The course offered her a new perspective on people, but also on herself. “You even start analysing your own life and thinking about why you are the way you are.”
A Foundation for Empathy
Michelle had previously worked with young adults dealing with emotional and behavioural challenges. She often wondered why people react so differently to life’s situations.
“The course broke down how people are shaped. It’s not just one thing. It could be their background, their current situation, their upbringing. That really stuck with me.”
One of her biggest takeaways was learning how to listen without judgement. “Especially with children, sometimes they don’t even know why they’re upset. Being able to listen, rather than talk at them, is such a powerful skill.”
Growing Confidence Through Study
The course didn’t just improve her understanding of others. It gave her greater confidence too. “It’s not just useful in work. It’s helped with family, with friends, with everyone.”
She was especially impressed with how thorough and well-structured the course was. “It gave me a proper foundation. The history, the techniques, how everything fits together. That really helped give context to what I was learning.”
And the learning experience itself? “Brilliant. I was impressed with how quickly I received feedback. It was detailed and came through in just a few days. That support made a big difference.”
New Possibilities
Michelle isn’t actively planning a career switch, but the course has opened doors. “It’s given me another option. I now understand what that kind of work would involve and how it fits with my strengths.”
In fact, her interest in therapy work has extended into her personal life with her dog, Luna.
Meet Luna: Therapy in the Making
Michelle believes Luna could have a future in therapy visits. “She’s calm and loves people. She brings comfort just by being near. I think she could be brilliant in that kind of setting.”
She is exploring opportunities for animal-assisted therapy, potentially working with young people or vulnerable adults.
“Dogs don’t judge. They’re just there. For someone who is anxious or going through something difficult, that can be huge.”
Michelle even finds that the course has helped her understand the people Luna interacts with. “Some of the things I learned help me recognise what others might need in those moments. It’s all connected.”
Advice for Others
Michelle recommends the course to anyone curious about counselling, mental health or simply understanding people on a deeper level.
“You don’t need to want a new job. If you want to be a better listener or understand yourself and others better, this course will help you do that.”
Whether it leads to career change, improves relationships or sparks a new interest, Michelle is glad she made the choice.
Interested in Counselling?
If you are curious about how the mind works or want to build skills in empathy and communication, the Advanced Counsellor & Psychotherapist Level 4 course is a great place to start. It is flexible, in-depth and applicable in many areas of life.
0333 344 2126