Module 2, a different approach… and one step closer to placement

It feels like only yesterday that I was writing about completing Module 1 of my Diploma in Integrative Counselling and wondering whether I really had what it takes to become a counsellor.

Now, here I am, nearly at the end of Module 2… and things are starting to feel a little more real.

This module has been very different from the first. We’ve been exploring Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and it’s been interesting to experience just how differently you can approach a conversation depending on the counselling model you’re working with.

A different way of working

Module 1 introduced me to Person-Centred Therapy, with its emphasis on empathy, authenticity, unconditional positive regard and trusting the client to find their own way forward.

I found that approach really interesting, particularly the importance of being present with someone rather than feeling the need to fix things for them. Learning to listen properly, resist the temptation to jump in with advice, and become more comfortable with silence has been a big part of my development so far.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy has offered a different perspective.

Rather than spending as much time exploring the origins of a problem, SFBT encourages us to look towards the future, consider what the client wants to be different, and identify the strengths, resources and possibilities that might help them get there.

Questions become an important part of the process. What would life look like if things improved? What is already working? What small steps might move things in the right direction?

It sounds straightforward when you describe it like that, but there's a lot to think about when you're actually practising the approach.

You have to be mindful of the questions you're asking, listen carefully to the answers, and avoid making assumptions about what change should look like for someone else.

And, of course, the client remains the expert on their own life.

Different approaches, different possibilities

One of the things I've enjoyed most about this module is seeing how different counselling approaches can offer different ways of working with people.

Person-Centred Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy have different emphases, and switching between them has made me think more carefully about what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and how the way I respond might affect the person I'm working with.

I've enjoyed the more focused nature of SFBT, particularly the way it encourages you to look for possibilities rather than becoming stuck in the problem itself.

That doesn't mean one approach is necessarily better than another. People are individuals, and what feels helpful for one person may not feel right for someone else.

That's part of what interests me about integrative counselling. As my training progresses, I'm beginning to appreciate the importance of understanding different approaches rather than assuming there is one way of working that suits everyone.

I'm still very much learning, of course. There are moments when I'm trying to remember the theory, think about my next question and remain properly present in the conversation, all at the same time!

But that's what the practice is for.

One step closer to becoming a counsellor

There's also been another important development in my training.

I've now been signed off as ready to look for a counselling placement.

That feels like a significant milestone.

Up until now, much of my experience has come through classroom learning, skills practice and working with fellow students in our triads. Those opportunities have been invaluable, giving me the chance to practise listening, develop my questioning skills, receive feedback and reflect on how I respond to other people.

But the prospect of moving towards a placement brings a new dimension to everything.

The opportunity to work with real clients, within an appropriate placement setting and with the necessary supervision and support, will allow me to begin applying what I've been learning in a different context.

I'm excited about that prospect, although I suspect there'll be a fair amount of nervousness mixed in with the excitement.

It's one thing to practise with people who are also learning alongside you. It's another to begin working with clients who are bringing their own experiences, difficulties and hopes into the room.

I know I won't suddenly have all the answers. In fact, I imagine I'll become even more aware of how much I still have to learn.

And perhaps that's an important part of the process… recognising what you know, being honest about what you don't, and remaining open to learning from every experience.

What's next?

As I approach the end of Module 2, I find myself looking back at how far I've come since starting my Diploma in Integrative Counselling.

I've learned new theories and skills, experienced different ways of working, and spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on myself and how I relate to other people.

Some of it has been challenging. Some of it has surprised me. And some of it has reinforced my feeling that I've made the right decision in pursuing this path.

I still have plenty of questions, and I'm sure there will be plenty more moments when I leave a session wondering whether I could have handled something differently.

But I'm beginning to understand that becoming a counsellor isn't about reaching a point where you know everything or never doubt yourself. It's about continuing to develop your self-awareness, taking responsibility for your learning, and being willing to look honestly at your own practice.

For now, my next step is to explore placement opportunities and begin preparing for the experience of working with clients.

It's a little daunting, but it's also something I've been working towards since I first enrolled on the course.

One module nearly completed, another important milestone reached… and a whole new chapter waiting to begin.

I think I'm ready to see where it takes me.

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