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From Management Consultant to Counselling Student, Patricia’s Journey of Lifelong Learning
After decades of helping others grow in the workplace, Patricia found herself asking a familiar question in retirement: what next?
A Career Built Around People
For more than 35 years, Patricia worked as a management consultant, running her own business and delivering management training and development both in the UK and overseas. Her work even included time with international teams linked to Cambridge and Oxford during the early days of vocational qualifications.
Throughout that career, one theme kept reappearing: people.
“When you’re working with managers at that level, you often end up being in more of a counselling role,” Patricia explains. “People don’t always have anyone else they can talk to.”
Long before terms like life coaching were widely used, Patricia was already supporting people through change, pressure, and professional uncertainty. Alongside her paid work, she also undertook voluntary roles, including training and volunteering with the Samaritans. Psychology, learning styles, and human behaviour were longstanding interests that quietly shaped her professional life.
Why Counselling, and Why Now?
Seven years ago, Patricia began to reassess how she wanted to spend the next stage of her life. While she had no intention of “giving up and doing nothing”, continuing full-time consultancy was no longer feasible.
“I thought I’d like to do some voluntary work in counselling, but I didn’t want to launch myself at anybody without some grounding.”
Rather than relying on instinct and experience alone, Patricia wanted formal knowledge and recognised qualifications. She began with a Level 2 counselling course through an online college which she thoroughly enjoyed. When that provider could no longer offer progression to Level 3, Patricia began researching alternatives carefully.
Having worked in training herself, she knew what she was looking for.
“I was very keen to try and get as good a provider as I could. I looked at loads of options, and yours seemed to be the least pushy. That’s always a good sign.”
After reviewing awarding bodies and professional organisations, and seeing what qualifications they expected for membership progression, Patricia enrolled on the Counselling Diploma Level 5.
Learning Without Pressure
One of the biggest advantages for Patricia was the self-paced nature of the course.
“I actually did it in about five months instead of a year. I had the time, and I could really throw myself into it.”
The flexibility allowed her to study deeply, revisit topics that interested her, and explore additional reading without the pressure of fixed classroom schedules.
Just as important was the support she received along the way.
“I got very good feedback from my tutor, who was excellent. Even though I never met them, it was obvious they genuinely cared about whether I did well or not.”
For Patricia, online learning did not feel impersonal.
“I don’t agree with the idea that it’s less supportive if it’s not face to face. You can be just as professional and personable online. It just takes a bit more effort, and it can be done very well.”
Expanding Knowledge and Confidence
Although Patricia brought extensive life and professional experience to the course, many topics were entirely new.
“I’d never done anything on child abuse, bereavement counselling, or recent drug addiction issues. There was also a lot about the law and the background of different psychologists that I hadn’t studied formally before.”
She particularly enjoyed learning about different counselling approaches, including CBT, and seeing how theory connected with real-life situations.
“What surprised me was how much linked back to what I’d been doing all my life. The psychology of learning, how people react under stress, how they behave in difficult situations. It all connected.”
The academic side also provided a valuable refresher.
“It had been years since I’d done formal referencing. This time, there were online tools and apps that made it much easier. It was great to learn how things have moved on.”
Challenges Along the Way
Like many adult learners, Patricia found the biggest challenge was not ability, but commitment.
“Putting your neck on the block and deciding to do it is a big step. There’s also a lot of reading, and it’s quite intensive.”
She recognises that time constraints could be difficult for those balancing work and family life, though she appreciated having a full year available if needed.
A Foundation for Further Education
Completing the Counselling Diploma Level 5 gave Patricia more than a qualification. It gave her confidence, clarity, and momentum.
“It really helped focus my mind.”
So much so that she has since gone on to begin a psychology master’s degree, using the diploma as part of her academic foundation.
“It was very good to be able to say I’d covered a lot already. It gave me that underpinning knowledge.”
She is also keen to explore further training in telephone and online counselling, seeing it as a practical way to offer voluntary support from home.
Would Patricia recommend Association of Learning?
“I would, yes, and I wouldn’t say that lightly.”
She recalls the few technical issues she encountered being resolved quickly and efficiently, reinforcing her confidence in the organisation.
“I had a very positive experience. It was worthwhile, and I’d definitely give a positive review.”
For Patricia, learning is not tied to age or career stage.
“I don’t want to think that reaching 60 means that’s the end of doing anything. If you really want to do something, there’s usually a way. This course helped me prove that to myself.”
0333 344 2126