This Is Your Ideal Opportunity To Expand On Your Counselling Qualifications Or Kick Start Your Counselling Career
Become A Counsellor Or Expand
On Your Qualifications With Australia’s Most Cost Effective & Flexible
Bachelor Of Counselling
The Institute is Australia’s largest and longest established educator of Counsellors. Over the past 20-years we’ve helped over 55,000 people from 27 countries pursue their dream of becoming a professional Counsellor.
The Institute now brings its acclaimed high quality approach to tertiary education, with its Bachelor of Counselling.
Quite simply, there is no more flexible, cost effective and intimately supported Degree program in the country.
TAKE A QUICK LOOK for yourself. You…
- Save up to $13,100.00 on your qualification
- Can get started with NO MONEY DOWN using FEE-HELP
- Will be supported by a large team of highly-qualified counselling professionals.
- Can study externally with individualised personal support
- Attend Residential Schools in Melbourne or Brisbane to hone your practical skills and network with other students
There Has Never Been A Better Time For You To Gain A Counselling Qualification As The Demand For Counsellors Has Never Been Higher
An Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey in February 2010 highlighted that over the last few years the counselling profession has grown at a rate of 28.1%, outgrowing All other Occupations by more than 200%.
The Health Care and Social Assistance industry underpins the national economy and workforce. It is the largest employing industry in Australia. And with the expected growth rate of of 17.6% over the next 5 years this sector is set to make the strongest employment increase in any industry.

Graph – Main employing industries
The changing world in which we live today has driven this demand. Qualified counsellors are needed more desperately than ever before.
This is your time to make a difference in this high demand profession.
You owe it to yourself and your future career to take a moment to discover how you can develop the skills and confidence to pursue your passion of becoming an accredited counsellor.
Counselling: A Personally Enriching Career
It’s rare these days to hear people talk about their work with true passion. You hear so many stories of people working to pay the bills; putting up with imperfect situations; and compromising on their true desires.
That’s why it’s always so refreshing to hear regular stories from graduates living their dream to be a counsellor. They’re always so full of energy, enthusiasm and passion. There’s no doubt that counselling is one of the most personally rewarding and enriching professions.
Just imagine someone comes to you for assistance. They’re emotionally paralysed by events in their life. They can’t even see a future for themselves. They can only focus on their pain and grief. The despair is so acute it pervades their entire life. Their relationship is breaking down and heading towards a divorce. They can’t focus on work and are getting in trouble with their boss. They feel they should be able to handle their problems alone, but know they can’t. It makes them feel helpless, worthless. Their self esteem has never been lower. They’re caught in a cycle of destruction and pain.
Now imagine you have the knowledge and skills to help this person overcome their challenges. You assist to relieve their intense emotional pain. You give them hope for the future. You assist to rebuild their self esteem and lead a satisfying, empowered life.
As a Counsellor you can experience these personal victories every day. And it’s truly enriching. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping another person overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
Learn About Yourself As You Help Others
Life can be challenging at times. We’re forced to confront issues we’re not prepared for. Unfortunately, we’re not born into this world with a user manual. We’re required to go through life doing the best we can. Sure we have friends and family to help us, but they’re also just doing the best they can.
A wonderful benefit of becoming a counsellor is the self-learning. Becoming a counsellor is an enjoyable journey of self discovery. Counselling is a science of personal effectiveness. An understanding of counselling principles provides you with a clear understanding of yourself, as well as those around you.
As a counsellor you’ll understand why you feel, think and behave as you do. And you’ll be able to implement strategies in your own life so that you’re happier, healthier, and more able to face life’s challenges.
Learning That Fits Around Your Lifestyle
Today there are more and more demands on your time. Gaining a qualification can be difficult when you have to fit it around other commitments.
Most course providers still design their courses using traditional methods. That was fine 10 years ago when most students studied full time. Today we don’t have that luxury. You need to fit competing career, family and lifestyle needs into the same hours.
Our learning methods have evolved with the times. Our teaching methods set a precedent in flexibility and support. This means you can fit your learning around your lifestyle whilst maintaining exceptional levels of quality and support.
Institute courses are designed to maximise your learning from home. The specialised course material and extensive support provide you with all the expert support and advice you need.
Your Qualification Is Developed And Supported By The Largest Educator Of Counsellors In The Country
The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors is the largest and longest established educator of counsellors in Australia. The Institute was Australia’s first, and still is the only exclusive, national provider of counsellor education. Our focus is the same today as it has always been – to provide you with the highest quality counsellor education with a full range of student and graduate support functions.
Over the past 20 years we’ve helped over 55,000 people from 27 countries pursue their goal of becoming a counsellor. Educating counsellors is our sole focus. And this focus gives us some very unique insights into the needs of the industry.
We have a dedicated team of psychologists, counsellors, curriculum writers, educators and industry representatives, whose sole purpose is to ensure our courses are of the highest educational value. This is a wealth of knowledge and experience AIPC brings you.
The standard of counsellor education set by the Institute is exceptionally high. All Institute Lecturers and academic staff for our tertiary program have their principal post graduate qualifications in Counselling, Psychology, Behavioural Science or another appropriate discipline, and all meet national registration requirements. Institute Lecturers also have several years practical counselling experience combined with recognised instructional skills.
Get Up To A Full Year Credit For Your Prior Qualifications And Experience
If you’ve completed other vocational studies or tertiary subjects in counselling, psychology or similar fields, or have extensive experience in a counselling role, then you are eligible to apply for recognition of your prior learning and experience towards subjects in the Bachelor of Counselling.
Here are a few examples…
If you have graduated from the Institute’s Diploma of Professional Counselling since 2000, then you will automatically receive recognition for 6 subjects of the Bachelor of Counselling.
If you have a few years experience in a counselling role, then you may also be eligible for recognition of some of the practical requirements of the Bachelor of Counselling.
If you have started a tertiary qualification in counselling, psychology, social work or a similar field, then you are eligible to apply for recognition for similar subjects included in the Bachelor of Counselling.
You can apply for recognition of up to 8 subjects in the Bachelor of Counselling, which means you then do not need to pay the fees for the subjects you receive credit for.
Don’t Pay Over $13,100.00 More For The Same Qualification!
A Bachelor Degree in Counselling at a university costs between $39,000 to $45,000 (see comparative table below). BUT, you don’t have to pay these exorbitant amounts for an equivalent high quality qualification.
You can do your qualification with the Institute and save up to a massive $13,100 on the cost of doing a similar course at university. Surely you have something else you’d prefer to spend your $13,100 on!
- You’ll gain the same level of recognised qualification for up to $13,100.00 less.
- You’ll have more personal support from our large team of counselling specialists.
- And you’ll have greater flexibility to fit your studies around your life commitments.
Provider |
Name of Course |
Full Fee |
SAVE |
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors |
Bachelor of Counselling |
$31,900 |
-- |
Sunshine Coast University |
Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) |
$45,000 |
$13,100 |
Australian College of Applied Psychology |
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) |
$39,000 |
$7,100 |
Edith Cowan University |
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Counselling) |
$44,520 |
$12,620 |
Southern Cross University |
Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) |
$42,960 |
$11,060 |
* Comparison is made between tuition fees for full fee paying students.
How The Institute Delivers The Course At Such A Reasonable Rate Without Sacrificing Quality
Have you ever been to a University campus? Beautiful aren’t they. All the magnificent buildings spanning across acres of gardens. There are cafeterias, gyms, games rooms and sporting fields.
Yes, they’re beautiful, but they cost a FORTUNE to run. And this contributes to how much their courses cost. When you study at a university your course fees are contributing to the cost of running that beautiful campus. And that’s one of the reasons why a university qualification costs up to 50% more as the same qualification through the Institute. It has nothing whatsoever to do with quality of education.
If you want to gain the same qualification, but don’t want the massive surcharge that comes with studying at university, you have an alternative.
Take a quick look at some advantages to learning with the Institute:
- You just pay for your education! We don’t have massive campus’ to maintain; hence your investment is significantly less, saving you thousands.
- Because we focus solely on counselling, we have more qualified counselling lecturers than any other provider of counselling courses in Australia. Now that’s a resource of knowledge and experience. Is there any wonder we’re the leading provider of counsellor education in the country.
- Institute higher education staff are required to be as highly qualified and experienced as university staff.
YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF, if you want comparably high standard training; with more flexibility and personal support; yet don’t want to pay a massive financial surcharge for campuses… then learning with the Institute is your only logical choice.
The Institute’s Bachelor Of Counselling Is The Ideal Way To Gain A Tertiary Counselling Qualification
The Bachelor of Counselling is a careful blend of theory and practical application. Theory is learnt through user-friendly learning materials that have been carefully designed to make your studies as accessible and conducive to learning as possible.
The course and its subjects are structured to progressively develop your knowledge and skills from foundational, theoretical concepts through to more complex concepts and advanced skills and applications.
First year subjects focus on building a strong foundational knowledge and skill base including an overview of the counselling industry, the role of the counselling professional, philosophical tenets, counselling micro skills and counselling perspectives. You are encouraged to adopt an integrative approach to practice and develop your own counselling framework and helping philosophy.
Second Year subjects focus on broader, contextual issues such as culture, social issues and theoretical frameworks that impact the client, the counsellor and the helping relationship. Ethical and legal issues are examined as they relate to the counselling relationship, and you start exploring the concept of your ‘self’ and reflective practice.
The Third Year integrates specialist knowledge and skill with focused application in areas such as Grief Counselling, Group Work, Domestic Violence, Abuse, Working With Children, and Mental Health Issues. You will consolidate and extend your emerging practice framework and demonstrate a high degree of self-awareness and professional reflection skills.
On completion, you will have the capacity to apply counselling theory and skills in an intentional and mindful manner. You will have the ability to evaluate and apply a variety of counselling models according to the needs of your client. You will also have the ability to analyse counselling issues with consideration to broader social and cultural perspectives and will be equipped to make a natural transition into the role of Counsellor.
The following subjects are included in the Bachelor of Counselling:
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|
CO101 - Introduction to Counselling
|
CO105 - Developmental Psychology |
|
CO102 - Academic Writing and Presentation Skills |
CO106 - Counselling and Diversity |
|
CO103 - Theoretical Foundations of Counselling |
CO107 - Counselling Therapies I |
|
CO104 - Micro Counselling Skills |
|
| Year 2 | |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|
CO201 - The Counselling Process |
CO205 - Relationship Counselling |
|
CO202 - Reflective Counselling Practice |
CO206 - Theories of Family Counselling |
|
CO203 - Counselling Therapies II |
CO207 - Counselling Practicum I |
|
CO204 - Ethics, Law & Counselling |
|
| Year 3 | |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
CO306 - Counselling and Mental Health |
|
CO303 - Working with Children and Adolescents |
CO307 - Counselling Practicum II |
|
CO304 - Domestic Violence and Abuse Issues |
|
** These subjects are available as internal delivery for students living in the Brisbane region. Classes take place at our counselling educational facilities in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
The Institute is approved to offer higher education courses. The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited by the Minister for Education and Training, the accrediting authority under the Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2003.
The Bachelor of Counselling has also received Course Recognition Status from the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Australia’s largest counselling representative body.
The Bachelor of Counselling is structured to ensure you graduate with a high level of practical skill so you can apply your counselling knowledge with confidence. Some subjects of the course require attendance at compulsory Residential Schools covering a range of topics including Micro Counselling Skills, Counselling Therapies, The Counselling Process, Reflective Practice, Relationship Counselling, Family Counselling, Grief Counselling, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Working with Children and Adolescents, and Group Work. Residential Schools are undertaken at our state of the art counselling educational facilities in Brisbane, or Melbourne.
Residential Schools are a great opportunity to get together with fellow students and participate in casework sessions under the guidance of your Lecturer. To help facilitate your learning, our Residential Schools use case scenarios relating to everyday, contemporary issues and provide a wonderful, supportive forum for group discussion, interaction and reflection.
The Bachelor of Counselling includes two counselling practicum subjects where you undertake clinical practice in a work setting. Work placements are essential in assisting the transition from application in a simulated setting to real practice.
We Make No Compromise On Quality
Our teaching strategies have evolved over 20 years. We’ve developed a uniquely successful external study program. Students studying by distance education have unique needs and study requirements. By listening to, and continuously applying feedback from our students, we’ve been able to implement many pioneering strategies that make our Bachelor of Counselling flexible, supportive, enjoyable and high value.
Some of these benefits include:
- Specifically written and easy to understand study material, including study guides and readings, all purposefully designed to make your external studies as conducive to learning as possible.
- You have unlimited use of the Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line, which puts you in contact with your Lecturer who will answer all your study and assessment queries.
- A Virtual Campus website where you can obtain study assistance, access the Institute’s Online Library, submit assessment, review interesting links, and participate in discussion forums and communicate with your lecturer.
- Access to state-of-the-art counselling educational facilities including lecture theatres, computer laboratory and counselling interview rooms with video recording facilities.
- 24/7 access to our Online Library which gives you access to over 12,000 hard copy texts and journals and 50,000 online journal articles and e-books.
You Are Much Better Off Learning From A Specialist Than A Generalist
Many universities and private providers deliver many courses in a variety of different areas. This may work for them commercially, but it can also jeopardise the quality of education.
The Institute specialises in educating counsellors. It’s all we’ve done for over 20 years. And it translates into highly applicable education.
The Institute’s tertiary course has been developed by a team of highly qualified and experienced counselling academics and professionals. We’ve invested significant time in developing a Bachelor of Counselling that intricately and progressively teaches key counselling theory and applications to provide graduates with a strong, thorough knowledge and skill base.
Enrol In Your Degree With NO MONEY DOWN
The Institute’s Bachelor of Counselling is the most cost effective way to get a graduate counselling qualification. The Bachelor of Counselling has 22 subjects and the investment per subject is just $1450. Plus, you do not pay the subject cost for subjects in which you receive credit.
The Institute is also approved as a Higher Education Provider by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) so you can choose to pay your subject fees via the Fee Help system. Fee Help is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee-paying students to pay their tuition fees.
If you choose to pay your subject fees using Fee Help, the Australian Government pays the amount of the tuition (subject) fee to the Institute and you then repay the loan through the Australian taxation system once your annual income is at a minimum amount (currently $43,151 per annum).
You can find out more about Fee Help from the following DEEWR publication: Fee Help Information – 2012.
You also have the option of paying your subject fees directly to the Institute each semester for the subjects in which you are enrolled. Or alternatively, you may choose a combination of funding part of your subject fees through Fee Help and paying the remainder yourself. As you can see, the choice is yours.
But Places Are STRICTLY Limited…
The Institute prides itself on setting the highest standards of support in the industry. One way we achieve this is by having high lecturer to student ratios.
To ensure we maintain our benchmark of quality support, we allocate a strictly limited number of placements based on our lecturer and support team capabilities.
The only fair way to manage the intake process for the high demand Bachelor of Counselling is on a first-in basis.
Once the intake quota has been filled we won’t be enrolling more students. To do so would reduce our lecturer to student ratio and could jeopardise the level of support we provide. And that’s not something we’re willing to do. Our reputation for quality support is extremely important to us.
You Must Take Action Now By:
- Submitting your online enrolment.
- Submit a request for an Institute team member to call you to discuss the degree.
Whilst your response is treated as 100% obligation free, we ask that you only respond if you have a high level of interest in enrolling in the Degree. Every expression of interest is treated seriously by our team and takes considerable resources to process. Thank You.
Let’s Quickly Recap…
Have a quick look at what you get:
- You’ll save up to $13,100.00 on your qualification
- You can get started with NO MONEY DOWN using FEE-HELP
- You’ll be intimately supported by a large team of highly qualified professionals.
- You can study externally, receiving individualised personal support
- You’ll attend Residential Schools in Melbourne or Brisbane to hone your practical skills and network with other students
- You’ll receive recognition for your prior studies and experience (if eligible)
All That's Left To Do Now Is Act
We look forward to helping you pursue your counselling aspirations.
Kind Regards,
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Sandra Poletto
Chief Executive Officer,
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.
PS If you’re interested in enrolling in the Bachelor of Counselling, it’s very important you take this opportunity to register your interest. Failing to do so may jeopardise losing one of the restricted placements.
What they are saying...
Will Flynn
AIPC has been an exceptional institution to study through. I have studied with a few institutions over the years but AIPC has by far been the best. What...
AIPC has been an exceptional institution to study through. I have studied with a few institutions over the years but AIPC has by far been the best. What I particularly like is the fact that the lecturers manage to afford students a great degree of flexibility in terms of fitting their studies into their day to day lives whilst maintaining an extremely high standard of education.
I spent a long time researching institutions that offered counselling and I am so glad that I chose AIPC. Like most of us, I try to fit in 25 hours of things to do into every 24 hour period but AIPC have been 100% supportive and do their level best to facilitate my academic progress.
AIPC staff are always friendly and helpful and there is always someone willing and able to help with any inquiry. I began my studies in NSW and after a transfer to QLD I still receive correspondence and offers of assistance from the AIPC team in Sydney!!! Thank you to all the AIPC staff for all that you do. Through your ongoing commitment to external studies and to the art/science of counselling, counselling is growing in recognition and status.
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Claudia Kuerschner
I started the Bachelor of Counselling Course in March 2008. When I first found out about the course I was excited at the prospect of doing a Degree that was...
I started the Bachelor of Counselling Course in March 2008. When I first found out about the course I was excited at the prospect of doing a Degree that was solely focused on Counselling and run by an Institute who specialise in providing counselling training. I was also happy that it was offered as a home study course because I am working part time in my own counselling practice and enjoy the flexibility of setting my own study hours around my work commitments. I also knew how well organised and professional the Institute is because I had completed their Diploma course not that long ago.
I did have a concern though with how I would go having set term times in which to complete the assessments as I had been used to pacing my previous studies in the Diploma. While I have found it slightly more stressful meeting these deadlines, it has made me complete far more work in a shorter period of time than I have previously. So I am viewing this as creative stress which is making me perform to a higher level, which ultimately is more rewarding!
In terms of the course structure and study guides, I have found these to be well laid out and comprehensive. I love the fact that we are given a suggested study timetable which makes study planning much more straightforward. We also have access to the lecturers via email and I have always found them to respond quickly to any questions that I might have. The other thing that I have found very helpful is the feedback that we get with our assessments, which provides constructive criticism for each section and suggestions for improvement.
All in all I have enjoyed my first year of study in the Bachelor course and would recommend it to others who are looking for a flexible degree that they can do at home.
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Maureen Filippi
I was invited to apply for the AIPC degree course after finishing my Diploma, which was well timed as I was looking around to upgrade it. The home based study...
I was invited to apply for the AIPC degree course after finishing my Diploma, which was well timed as I was looking around to upgrade it. The home based study was perfect for me (in Singapore) as there is good on-line support and a comprehensive and well organised study pack.
The cost was low in comparison to other courses I investigated, and I was able to choose from several options for payment. In addition to this, because of the diploma, I saved money as I was exempt from six of the subjects.
The subject matter being studied is really interesting, but with assignment deadlines and reading, the course has been a challenge, particularly with a family to manage. However, I am almost finished the first year and I am still very motivated to carry on, and feel glad that I decided to do this. I would be happy to recommend the course to anyone who wants to study counseling.
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Louise Fitzgerald
My personal growth journey started a few years before I decided to study and I am still thoroughly amazed by what I am doing with my life. As well as...
My personal growth journey started a few years before I decided to study and I am still thoroughly amazed by what I am doing with my life. As well as being all of the above I am also one of those counselors who have themselves been abused. Some of you will realize how far I have come up to this point, some of you may not realize this as yet. I have gone form being a person who couldn't look another human being in the eye, so low was my self esteem, to doing things with my life that are beyond my wildest dreams. I found it very difficult to speak to other people and I find myself wondering how I ever managed to have a life at all. Let me tell you what I am doing now. I have begun to counsel people individually and my clients have come to me through word of mouth.
Look this might seem like I am blowing my own trumpet but really I am not. I just want to share with you all that is possible. You can achieve whatever is in your heart to achieve. The road might be a bit rocky at times, but remember that we grow through the tough times, not the smooth.
Decide how long this diploma will take you realistically. Split your units into manageable bundles. I used school terms as I fitted my studies around my children. Decide how long each unit will take, even each section of a unit if you have to. Set yourself deadlines for each unit and make study a priority in your life. I think it is very important that you reward your self when you meet your deadlines and achieve each small goal.
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Brian Rhodes
At the beginning of 2004 I found myself enrolled in the course with the lovely people at AIPC, the administration team and student support team have both been amazing in...
At the beginning of 2004 I found myself enrolled in the course with the lovely people at AIPC, the administration team and student support team have both been amazing in their support and guidance and I have nothing but the highest praise and the regard for them both. These are the people with whom as a student you have the most contact with and they are all, each and every one of them truly amazing people with an unenviable burden of encouraging and stimulating the offtimes lethargic and tired student, and it has to be said that without their tireless enthusiasm many a student would have crumbled at the roadside, drifting on a sea of words and jargon, lost to the power and the beauty and the bounty that comes from completing the course.
So here I am at the end of the cycle, having received my diploma, and gotten my own ABN, I am ready to set up a personal counselling practice. But I am not only ready for it, I want to have a go at it, I want to be given a chance to prove to some of those naysayers out there and I'm sure all of us as both students and graduates have had our fair share of those, that I have what it takes and can make it. I know it is going to be a struggle, and the path is hard but in my view it is a path well worn and trod by a billion feet and as appealing as that path is, I want to strike out on my own, forging my own path, my own goals, my own unique and typically eclectic approach.
My counselling role is set and I am the master of my own fate.
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Mari Shell
With one hand I receive my Diploma with excitement, pride, joy, and dreams realised, but on the other hand I reach out to those who may need guidance and direction...
With one hand I receive my Diploma with excitement, pride, joy, and dreams realised, but on the other hand I reach out to those who may need guidance and direction sharing with them life skills and keys to freedom. With better knowledge, passion and experience it is a great privilege to be given the opportunity to speak into people’s lives, something that I don’t ever want to take for granted.
May I encourage each and everyone of you who finds studying a drudgery to keep the momentum going the way I did. I kept myself accountable and I had a study partner, and just kept setting myself a goal. Don’t forget the dream, the purpose as to why you started studying counselling. Whether it is just out of interest or just to gain knowledge and skills remember, that these are never wasted. It is also important to reward yourself when you achieve a unit. I am determined to further my qualifications in the areas of Family and Relationship Counselling.
To put what I have learnt into practice, I am looking forward to working in my local church, the community, local GP’s, and setting up my own private practice called – A Positive Soulution Counselling (A Change from the inside out).
In closing, I hope that a snippet of my story has inspired you. Remember to ‘Live your dream – Believe in yourself and Just do it!’
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Jan Burguez
With the guidance and support of the AIPC team I completed my Diploma in November 06, and by January 07 landed my dream job as a trainer (who also requires...
With the guidance and support of the AIPC team I completed my Diploma in November 06, and by January 07 landed my dream job as a trainer (who also requires a counselling qualification) re launching the long term unemployed back into the workforce. The fit to my skill sets is breath-taking in its synchronicity.
Who could have known three years ago when I first picked up the phone and made the call. Who would have seen last November when I rang the student helpline at AIPC with fear and anxiety asking how on earth will I turn my forthcoming ‘piece of paper’ into paid work that the next step was just a leap of faith. My Diploma in Professional Counselling stacked up very well at the job interview as my now-manager (bless him) was quietly thinking in tangents about how I could also slot in to the company’s future growth area, Youth Pathways, if he secured me now. I’ve got a lot to look forward to, by anybody’s reckoning.
Distant education helped me to go about earning a living whilst I learned my craft, while I always enjoyed feelings of inclusivity from the astute crew at AIPC. You were ALWAYS there when I needed direction, guidance, support and encouragement. What a client champion you are! Tutor, Zahava, brings an exceptional quality to your team with a raft of counselling experience, knowledge and skill. In fact, all of your staff are stand-outs, and when this high human resource standard is replicated in the training system and materials you provide students, I am motivated to highly recommend the AIPC to any individual seeking to become a recognized, accredited and qualified counselling graduate who can confidently hit the boards running into the profession. In other words, if I can do it, so can YOU!
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Michelle Lees
The last four and a half years have certainly been a time of self-development for myself due to the subjects we covered in the Diploma. I was able through my...
The last four and a half years have certainly been a time of self-development for myself due to the subjects we covered in the Diploma. I was able through my studies to find my strengths and draw on them when they were most needed. My cousin who I am very close to had two schizophrenic breakdowns and nearly died a third time due to over medicating herself: My daughter at ten years old lost her half sisters Fiancé to suicide. She was devastated and getting her through that was hard work. A close friend and her husband lost their baby at three days old and my family lost two wonderful uncles and my grandmother. Most tragically of all, was in April this year when my brother's only child (23 years old, a gentle and lovely boy with an l8 month old son of his own) killed his mother and four year old half sister in a psychotic frenzy. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and is now in a psychiatric ward in W.A. awaiting trial. My brother was devastated and suicidal. He would not accept the counselling offered to him but said he would talk to me. This truly was my greatest challenge as I worried about my brother's mental state. I frantically researched schizophrenia so I could help him and the rest of the family understand the disease. We were all reeling in shock and had many mixed emotions towards my nephew.
I was extremely grateful at this time that I was doing this course as it enabled me to separate myself from my own emotions in order to help my brother. My brother will never be the same again, as many in this tragedy won't, but he has come to deal with this, and is a wonderful grandfather to his little grandson and is supporting his son through the long ordeal ahead of him.
Recently I was offered a position with Student Care Welfare Qld. counselling children 7 to 17 and I have just commenced my advanced study major in Abuse and Abuse Trauma Counselling. A.I.P.C. has a wonderful support team so no matter how hard the road is, keep going it's worth it in the end and the skills you learn are valuable tools for life.
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Lynn Holt
I would like to explain the journey of my studies with the A.I.P.C. From the first unit I started I was unsure of my ability's in completing the "22 Units"...
I would like to explain the journey of my studies with the A.I.P.C. From the first unit I started I was unsure of my ability's in completing the "22 Units" to my Diploma. As I was at the time 55 years old and had only completed courses that were no longer than 6 to 8 weeks long one night a week for about 2 hours.
When I started the course it was for my self mainly, as I had very low self-esteem, and had many issues that on a personal level that needed to be addressed. The result of the experience I gained from the course is better self-esteem, more confident person that is more able to tackle tasks with out a second thought. All my family and friends have noticed a huge change in me over the time.
At time's you really have to just push yourself and say I will get this much done by this time. It is sometimes good to take a very short break and then reset your goals for the next stage. If you take to much time away from the study's you will find it harder to get back into the study mode. The seminars increased my confidence to speak and participate in group situations, which helped my self-esteem. I have learnt many skills during the course and now feel confident to plan my life to be able to help other people or children in many ways with the problems they may have.
This would not have happened without the support and help of others, such as the staff at both Carina and the valley, who have always been there to help, with their friendly support. In closing I would like to thank again all at A.I.P.C. for their help for me by phone, seminars, or tutorials. I would also like to wish all current students the very best, and to say stay with it, the rewards for yourself and the help you can give others is without a doubt the feeling that you can experience.
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Carol Lockwood
Since graduating with the Diploma in July 2006 - it's such an unbelievable feeling to accomplish and also it's providing opportunities and changes in my life that were not possible...
Since graduating with the Diploma in July 2006 - it's such an unbelievable feeling to accomplish and also it's providing opportunities and changes in my life that were not possible a couple of years ago. My lack of self-confidence and deprivation of personal ambitions has now been transformed to pursuing my ideal employment. I am focusing now on developing patience and realism to make my ideal job happen.
The AIPC study has taught me to have faith, confidence and strength in myself, as well as a myriad of other skills, but these personal attributes have enabled me to leave to leave the security of my administrative position in late June 2006. Since that time I've been working as a Personal Carer/Support person for 4 days a week. I enjoy this volunteer work which is providing me with a variety of excellent work experience that is invaluable. Through this agency, I have recently attended some presentations, such as Child Protection & Safety and Positive Parenting.
I now feel confident that with my AIPC Diploma qualification, community work, and volunteer work, I will be successful with my job search. Recently I have had two interviews with a job placement agency for disabled persons and a community agency. Whenever I have mentioned the AIPC Diploma qualification, I have received a positive reaction and recognition of this study.
Rob Carrigan seems to have endless compassion, time and understanding for people like myself, and has been very helpful and inspirational throughout my units of study, and even now that I've graduated, continues the support and assistance. Also other staff at AIPC have been continually supportive, and responsive to all of my requests over the 2 years of study.
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Davina Gleeson
I never thought I'd be writing my own success story, just like the one's I read at the beginning of my studies. About halfway through the Diploma we were living...
I never thought I'd be writing my own success story, just like the one's I read at the beginning of my studies. About halfway through the Diploma we were living on a remote island and experienced a traumatic house fire that destroyed ninety percent of our possessions; photo's, books, personal documents, clothes. However, I willingly chose to continue my studies as it enabled me to focus on the future and move forward. Studying with AIPC whilst at home raising two children and running a household empowered me as a woman, I craved and needed something to stimulate myself during the day once all the housework was done and the children were happy. Throughout my studies I'd regularly hear my internal voice saying `try and finish this, you never complete what you start'. So I decided to prove my internal voice wrong by challenging myself to complete my studies which I did in December 2005.
The Diploma has taught me useful life skills that will always remain with me. Not only is it a course that allows you to help others and yourself but it's about becoming a better human being, and you can't ask much more than that. Studying with AIPC has made me understand more about human behaviour in a selfless and insightful way. Over the past years, studying the Diploma has improved my knowledge and enlightened my awareness about other people and life itself.
Looking back I'm very grateful for the encouragement Robert Carrigan provided me at a time that I needed to get me where I am today. The self satisfaction from knowing you've completed a Diploma in Professional counselling is overwhelming and extremely rewarding. Thank you to all the support at AIPC that provide people like me with a Diploma that is nationally recognised.
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Marilyn Tisdall
My journey into studying counselling began over three years ago, when I felt the need for self exploration after many years of various personal traumas.
The AIPC self paced, do at...
My journey into studying counselling began over three years ago, when I felt the need for self exploration after many years of various personal traumas.
The AIPC self paced, do at home with abundant student support offer was just what I needed. What I learned along the way inspired me to keep discovering how to improve my own life and many others – yet the greatest obstacle I faced was myself.
Along the journey, I lost my Mum to cancer, got to know my Dad and his health problems more that I ever did, was laid up for 6 months surgery and physio for a badly fractured foot, and despite overcoming these hurdles, was frequently battling one of my worst failings – procrastination!
Finally receiving my Diploma was a very exciting and satisfying event, one which you too will enjoy as you press on to the end of your course.
AIPC have been a joy to associate with and share this important and beneficial time in my life, which I can now use to help so many others through the obstacles on their bumpy roads in life.
I am currently studying two of my three majors, and look forward to specialising in these areas.
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