r/Counselling_Psych

I’m coming to the end of my Level 2 counselling diploma and I’m trying to figure out whether to continue with the Level 3 in September, or potentially take year or so break.

I’m planning to do an MSc in Psychology starting in September (part-time), and I’ll also be working full time.

Do you think it would be viable to do the Level 3 alongside all this? My job is fairly relaxed, I don’t have to work overtime and often WFH with not much to do so hoping I’ll be able to complete some work during the day whilst working when it’s quiet. I think the Level 2 would have been doable but I’m not sure if the workload will drastically increase for Level 3?

Thank you!

I’m looking for graduate programs that combine strong counselling and psychotherapy training with strong qualitative research, systems thinking, and humanistic or critical perspectives on mental health.

I want to become a practicing therapist, but I’m also looking for an intellectually open environment where lived experience, meaning-making, relationships, culture, power, and broader social conditions are taken seriously alongside research and clinical practice.

I’m not drawn to heavily medicalized or purely symptom-focused approaches, and I’m especially interested in programs that welcome qualitative inquiry, reflexivity, and critical engagement with concepts like diagnosis, normality, and psychological distress.

I’m currently exploring counseling psychology, community psychology, family therapy, and related interdisciplinary programs. I’m also interested in community-based work and potentially creating or running nonprofit/community support initiatives in the future.

Does anyone know of programs, departments, faculty, or universities (in Canada, the UK, or elsewhere) that support both therapist training and this kind of qualitative, critical, and relational approach?

I am really passionate about helping young people find clarity on their purpose and career, and am wanting to further my studies to get into this field.

I have an unrelated bachelor and am currently looking at either a grad dip in counselling (longer and more expensive) or a grad cert in education (career counselling & devlopment)

Has anyone done either and can give me some advice?

Plan is work in teritary or secondary as a course advisor/ career counsellor and eventually open my own practice.

Any help would be appreciated 🙏