“For me working as a counsellor is both humbling and a privilege. Studying takes commitment but every second of it is worth it. I recommend the journey. It has changed me, and I am so much more resilient than I was before.”
Carol WatkinNWRC Counselling graduate
Carol Watkin says studying Counselling at NWRC changed her life.
Carol has just completed the Level 5 qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at NWRC - however she previously studied the Introduction to Counselling, Level 2 and 3, and the Foundation Degree in Counselling.
She runs her own Holistic Therapy Business - the Holistic Butterfly and worked at Inspire Wellbeing.
Carol said: “I am an integrative counsellor who did all my training at NWRC.
“I had been looking to study the Level 5 in CBT locally and then I saw the course advertised at NWRC on a part-time basis. As the course is for counsellors who are already qualified it was perfect.
“I have been researching CBT for a while. Since covid there has been a huge increase in anxiety, and NICHE guidelines recommend CBT for anxiety. CBT is about connecting our thoughts with our physical sensations, behaviour, and emotions, so when we have a thought how does it affect us?
“Talking is always good, but CBT allows us to go that little bit further. It allows us to explore why we behave in a certain way.
“Studying CBT has enhanced my work, and while it’s not suitable for everyone it does allow us to go that bit deeper, and in many cases results in better outcomes. It has been a massive enhancement in my practice.”
Carol said she became a counsellor because she always wanted to work to help people, and because going to counselling changed how she looked at things.
She said: “I had my own anxieties and went for counselling and faced my fears. After that, I decided to study counselling and I fell in love with it.
“Counselling changed me as a person. It gave me the ability to do what I wanted. Counselling is very valuable – it’s safe place where you’re not judged.
“For me working as a counsellor is both humbling and a privilege. Studying takes commitment but every second of it is worth it. I recommend the journey. It has changed me, and I am so much more resilient than I was before.”
Carole said the high standard of teaching on the course helped her stay focused on her goal.
She said: “Our lecturer was so thorough and adapted her teaching for our learning. I also received huge peer support from my fellow students who all came to the Level 5 in CBT with a huge knowledge and skill set.
“I would recommend this course to other counsellors.”
