Chrysalis courses
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The Real Chrysalis Course
Looking back, I can now see that the interview was just a sales pitch, and it was sold very well to me. I didn't want to do the hypnotherapy course, however it forms part of the three year counselling course, and was only for a year. It was interesting at first, and I was qualified to practice at the end of that year. However, the tutor was terrible. She constantly told us about her personal life, however didn't know the name of anyone in the class, which started as a group of 28, and finished as a group of 16. Her teaching style was to read out the notes in the handout she had given us. It is scarry to think that after a year of this that someone is qualified to work with people in a professional way. Hypnotherapy is becoming increasingly popular and therapists charge a fortune for their services, however, I would be wary that these people might have had as little training as I had. The two years of counselling is being provided by a completely different tutor. Who learnt our names, and a little about us in the first session, which she remembered when she next saw us, 2 months later. This was a massive improvement, and her teaching style is amazing! She observes, assists, and gives constructive feedback in our practical work, giving real examples of her work on any subject that we are learning about. However, I feel that there is alot of theory, and not enough practical work within the course. I am in my 3rd and final year now, and have been trying for 4 months to find a placement. We have had 7 more people drop out, mainly due to the difficulty of finding a placement, which Chrysalis do not assist with. The main issues that people are having is that a) the Chrysalis course is not recognised by many organisations, and b) we are obliged to be members of the NCS as part of the course, however many placement providers (the big organisations that we all want to part of) will only accept students who are members of the BACP or UKCP, who will not accept us as members, as we are on the Chrysalis Course... The other reason that so many drop out is that we were told at the start of the course that it would only take up 8 hours a week, and could be completed while working full time. This is a lie. I would say at least 18 hours a week study, and then 2 - 6 hours a week practice. I have had to go part time for the final year, and am now worried about the cost of insurance, and a supervisor this year, aswell as the compulsory annual membership of the NCS, that they do not tell you about, and the cost of books that are not available at the local library. Not forgetting the annual AIM awards fees, that are not included in the cost of the course, and you are not reminded to pay, and then are charged extra for late payment. We also have had issues receiving the AIM awards certificate, which is in addition to the certificate that says you have passed that year, and shows that you have completed an accredited course. No one actually knows why we need this extra certificate, or why it's cost is not added to the course fees, as we are told that we must have it!? Good luck to anyone concidering this route to becoming a counsellor, as you will need it. I would recommend that you spend a little more money, and research to find a course provider who will provide you with a more recognised starting point to your career.