In one week I went to four interviews and I was surprised, feeling I must write and let you know. AIPC is well known and respected in the industry. All of the Potential Employers could finish the AIPC letters: Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors and felt that the Diploma had value. They felt it helps develop empathy, client responsibility, with our support and to never sit in judgement of our clients, all essential ingredients in this industry. They all mentioned that AIPC was therefore worthwhile and relevant in Social & Community Work, with both Carers and Clients.

The range of positions I was interviewed for was in the areas of: Disability, Aged, Rehabilitation and Youth Work.

I would like to say that this has really made me feel that we are studying for a very worthwhile item of learning, an important factor to remember when the going gets tough!

Thank you too for all the support you have given me in the last year, as I have had to ride a roller coaster, but it felt so good being offered two jobs in the Disability Industry with all employers recognising and being impressed by my AIPC studies. This makes it all seem worthwhile. I have taken one of the jobs in the Disability Industry, a One-on-One client relationship and feel as if AIPC is even more precious to me now than it ever was.

Noeleen Hankinson

I decided to undertake the Diploma of Professional Counselling to add a specific skill to my existing Bachelor of Arts Degree, while I waited for my youngest son to reach school age. I knew I wanted to return to work when he started school so I aimed to complete my studies by that date. I thoroughly enjoyed the content of the course and this factor, combined with my ultimate career goal, motivated me to continue.

Upon completion of my studies I spent one month applying for positions when I gained employment as a Vocational Consultant with an Occupational Rehabilitation Provider for three days per week. My counselling skills were well regarded and are, in fact, recognised by the Victorian Workcover Authority as an Allied Health Qualification. My role involves providing vocational and rehabilitation counselling to clients who are unable to return to their employer due to their physical or physiological injury, or clients who require assistance in returning to their pre-injury role on modified/alternative duties.

I enjoy my work immensely and I am gaining valuable experience in the counselling field. I have an excellent work/life balance and I am pleased to be able to utilise my Diploma of Professional Counselling and work in the area I have always had an interest in.

Nicole Witham

I’m pleased with my success and I thank the staff of AIPC for their caring and wonderful support!

Cleide Texeira

The course material is packaged in neat A4 booklets which contain excerpts from a range of counselling text books which means you have what you need at your fingertips, without having to search out reference material.

The questions in the student workbooks will help you to explore your understanding of the subjects. Much emphasis is placed upon reflection.

Studying from home is an exercise in discipline, but you will never feel along with all the assistance that the Institute provides. Whenever I have needed assistance, there is always a friendly voice at the end of the phone on the Institute’s Study Assistance Line. I also receive regular mail with encouraging bookmarks, and supportive comments in my workbooks. And, for those who love the internet, AIPC have a great website too!

I have always helped others and people have naturally come to me for assistance within life’s multiple coloured dramas. This course is fine-tuning my natural skills and providing me with a qualification to enable me to get paid for what I love to do!

Bridget Cameron

I have always enjoyed working with people and counselling just became a natural progression as well as providing me with a rewarding career option. I was initially concerned as I had not studied for some 30 years, but the staff at my Student Support Centre and the Education Advisers and everyone associated with AIPC were always supportive and helped in any way they could. It only took a few weeks before I gained confidence and momentum to begin enjoying studying and the challenge it provided.

I loved every moment of being a student and the knowledge I was accumulating. I found the course materials provided were comprehensive and easy to understand, and being able to submit my work via the Internet was terrific. I also liked the fact I could undertake Advanced Study Majors in the areas I found more interesting such as Grief and Loss, and Relationship Counselling. As I was still working, being able to set my own pace was also a huge bonus. It really did take the stress out of studying.

I now have a small counselling practice which I operate from home and I am extremely happy that I took the step and gained my Diploma with AIPC. I would suggest anyone thinking about doing the same get in touch with their nearest Centre.

Susanne Kessel

I commenced study with AIPC in March 2002 and graduated in December 2003. I found the self- paced study better suited my busy lifestyle which consisted of family, part time work, my continued voluntary work and a social life. Time management, balance and self confidence were key life lessons gained during my studies.

I’m proud to say that I am now employed as a Telephone Counsellor Support Officer with a self funded organisation whose work in the community I greatly admire and respect. I also work as a volunteer face to face counsellor within this same organisation. The rewards I gain from this work both intrinsically and from practical experience are priceless.

At this stage in my professional development I am feeling very fulfilled and the skills and knowledge I gained through the AIPC Diploma, greatly assisted me in making my dreams a reality.

Caron Scard

I was determined to finish the course in one year. I remember setting myself a target each week of what I wanted to finish and much to my surprise, I managed to hold my target. This was a huge success for me as I hadn’t studied for over 29 years and then I hated it all those

years ago.

Not only did I finish the Diploma of Professional Counselling but I also completed two advanced study majors in Grief and Loss and Relationships and Conflict Resolution. I have just started up my own business from home and in the first week of operating I have had doctors referring patients onto me. It is a great feeling to have those professionals believe, not just in me, but in the AIPC Diploma.

For the clients that I have already seen I can see an improvement in them, this is after all a wish of mine come true: to help someone in need. There is no greater satisfaction in life than to see a sad face turn to a smile.

Jane Oakley-Lohm

Glancing through the paper I came across the advertisement for AIPC. As I researched AIPC, I realised this self-paced study system could be a stepping stone for me, so I commenced studies with AIPC - I was on my way.

I continued working part time in hospitality while studying, I found the self paced structure was perfect and the Study Assistance Line so helpful, especially at times when I found I was ‘stuck’. Attending the seminars was a wonderful opportunity to meet other students and helped me to realise the ups and downs I was going through were ‘normal’, we were all balancing home life, work and study: ‘not an easy task’. Gaining practical experience and building friendships along the way helped to bring it all together.

I volunteered with the Senior Citizens respite group in my local area and enjoyed the work and the people. So I decided to start applying for positions in the industry a few months before I expected to complete the Diploma. Initially I was unsuccessful in gaining employment, however I managed to secure a full time position as a Family Support Worker with Lifeline Community Care. The position was in my local area and despite the fact that I had yet to complete my last unit, Lifeline recognised that I had the right qualifications for the job!

I graduated from the Diploma and am currently working with women and children escaping Domestic Violence, while this area may sound extremely difficult I find it rewarding. I have to say that I could not wish for a better foundation than the AIPC Diploma. Dealing with a diverse range of people, ages, and pretty startling situations, I am learning every day and it’s a thrill seeing what I have studied being put into practice.

I think I may have caught the study bug as I am now completing two advanced study majors, Abuse and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Grief and Loss. I feel these two majors will compliment my position as a Family Support Worker and University does not appear quite so daunting.

Joy Kite

Resigning from my job wasn’t a problem – plunging into the unknown was really scary but fortunately I had the support of my husband who encouraged me to study and establish my own private practice.

The arrival of my first study pack was greeted with great enthusiasm and I had set myself a deadline of 18 months to complete my Diploma. As I progressed the fear of how I would apply what I had learned practically began to surface. At the same time I noticed an advert for volunteer Parent Aides at the Mater Family Services Unit. Within weeks I was on a training course and working with my first client.

Although the work of a parent aide is not counselling as such, it does involve the use of counselling skills as you assist clients with practical parenting issues, life skills and connecting them with local services. I found the work helped build my confidence.

Just before I completed my Diploma I called Student Care Qld from the AIPC volunteer handbook to see if I could broaden my experiences. They offered me a contract counselling position with their organisation! Already they have put me on a course and are involving me in many aspects of their organisation whilst accepting that I will also be building my own private practice.

I learned the value of volunteer work during my studies and the fact that the opportunities are not going to pick up the phone and call you – you have to take the initiative – the worst they can do is say ‘no’. In the end it took me 2 ½ years to complete my diploma but now I am building my own practice – Positive Steps, Professional Counselling.

Patricia Baird

During the two years we lived apart, I undertook the Advanced Study Major in Grief and Loss with AIPC, and also trained with a national crisis telephone counselling organisation, working in a voluntary capacity on the phones following completion of training. I gained valuable practical experience in this role, where much of the theory presented in the AIPC counselling course was used extensively, and I would strongly encourage students to become involved in voluntary counselling work if such an opportunity presents itself. As well as gaining practical experience, it was a wonderful confidence booster, and I also made some lovely friends!

It became possible for me to relocate to Queensland last year, and I joined my partner in Gladstone in early September. Wishing to become involved in the community, I sought voluntary counselling work, and also applied for a paid position which was advertised in the local paper in October. Happily, I was selected for an interview, and was fortunate in being offered the job! I am delighted to say that I am now working on a permanent part-time basis as the Domestic and Family Violence Court Support Worker with a well-known Queensland welfare organisation, and enjoying the challenge of the position enormously.

However, whilst I feel privileged to have been offered this job, I also know that it didn’t come about purely by accident. Rather, I had worked hard, gained the qualification I set out to achieve, and refused to become discouraged along the way by constant media reports that people over a certain age are continually overlooked by prospective employers!

Judy Marshall

After successfully completing the first few units, (and working through my feelings of uncertainty about my academic abilities), I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the course was presented, how supportive the team at the AIPC were and how relevant the course material was to both my personal and professional life.

Within two months of graduating I have established a wonderful and constantly growing personal growth group for women as well as a steadily growing meditation group. I have seen how the skills the I have acquired through the course are the reasons for my rapid success.

At this stage in my professional development, I am feeling very fulfilled by working with the two groups as I know that I am just at the beginning of an exciting and meaningful career. I am reaping rewards and benefits, too numerous to list, but which inspire me to continue to learn and gain practical experience to pursue further goals.

Lisa Pattison

Looking back when I completed my Diploma of Professional Counselling in November 2009, I can without a doubt give 100 per cent credit to the degree qualified education advisors for their help through the toll-free study assistance line.

Also, full credit to the Counselling instructors throughout the 7 seminars and tutorials which gave me the opportunity to apply the theory from the units into contemporary counselling scenarios, also a great opportunity to meet with fellow students participating in case work sessions under the full instruction of the highly qualified lecturers. I found these seminars very encouraging and they provided a first class forum for interaction and discussion.

I would like to say thank you to all staff that I was associated with in relation to achieving my Diploma, and to co-ordinating the logistics of a first class external study program. I also found the reflect icon in our workbooks gave me the opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings in relation to counselling practices.

I am currently working in a secondary school college environment as a student welfare counsellor. I would like to encourage everyone to look at the options in which the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors offer students in relation to a counselling career. A very highly experience and nationally recognised training program which developed a truly new and exciting course to benefit anyone working in a counselling capacity. I am thankful and my relationship with the Institute will continue through the Graduate Membership Program.

Brian Johnson

I still remember reading that very first page of the textbook with great gusto and then reading it again, and again, and again. What had I done? I hadn't studied in 25 years! My comprehension skills had abandoned me and I was filled with self-doubt. Once the panic subsided, I decided to start reading slowly and saying the words out loud. If I didn't understand something, I re-read it until I did. It was tedious but within the week my comprehension skills returned and the material was actually making sense.

Other memorable, and often panic filled, moments occurred during the course such as the day the first module came back from marking, and my not being unable to open it for 15 minutes because I was convinced that it would say 'Not yet competent' (this same scenario lasted for perhaps the first 10 modules!) and the utter panic that occurred when I had to do the first case study. I didn't even know where to start!

It wasn't easy to keep going. Working full-time and keeping to a study schedule wasn't always easy because 'life' also seemed to keep happening and throwing a spanner in the works. It seemed that horrible things just kept happening; in one particular year we had one family tragedy or set-back after another. But I decided that I really wanted to keep doing the course and if I ever hoped to finish it, I would have to make it a priority. I also realised that 'life' was going to happen whether I was studying or not and that it was no use making excuses so I decided to get up early and to study for 1 to 1.5 hrs every morning before work because I was usually too tired at the end of the day to study effectively and studying early meant that I was refreshed and things sank in. Doing this really worked for me and I started to work my way through the workbooks more quickly.

Finally after 2.5 years, all my hard work paid off and I was finished! I thought that once I finished I would never have to study again, but of course by then I had the study bug and immediately started on the Grief & Loss Advanced Study Major, which I am thoroughly enjoying and have nearly completed!

I now hope to open my own private practice in the not too distant future and, although this involves stepping way out of my comfort zone and making some major life changes, my enthusiasm and the skills that I have learned from studying the Diploma course have helped me overcome my fears. I have just commenced the Salvation Army's Telephone Counselling Course which will further enhance the skills that I learned during the Diploma course and which will give me the practical experience and supervision that can be difficult to get.

I can't recommend the AIPC course highly enough nor can I thank everyone enough for all their help. Robert Carrigan has been a great sounding board and is so generous with his time, Zahava and her unlimited knowledge of all things counselling has been an inspiration, and everyone at the study helpline, Kathleen in particular, were always there if I needed them. Thanks for a wonderful experience!

Candy Meredith

I started this incredible journey focusing on the use of Natural Therapies. At that time my daughter was suffering very badly from food allergies. With the use of the Natural Therapy concept of looking at what is causing the allergy, we were able to get the help we needed. This also helped her to understand that the allergy may have been caused by deeper issues and feelings that had been suppressed for many years.

On returning to Australia and operating my own successful practice I decided that I had the ability to give my clients more. I found the need to incorporate mainstream counselling into the session, giving the client a well rounded and comprehensive approach to their issues. It was at this point I decided to take on another challenge by doing the Diploma of Professional Counselling. When I first looked at what I had to get through (all those units and seminars), I went straight into self doubt. My first thought was, will I ever be able to achieve this (after all I was told when I was growing up, I didn't have the ability to achieve). Once again this statement has been proved wrong. By learning how to think more positively and change my self talk to, 'I can do this', I have now completed my Diploma as well as Majors in Child Development and Grief and Loss.

I would like to thank AIPC, as it is through this course that the doors have opened wider, allowing me to grow professionally as well as in my personal life.

Christine Creswell

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 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 recognised, 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!

Jan Burquez

I commenced my Diploma Course with AIPC in 2001. Initially I studied part-time, due to my level of commitments and transferred to full time study in 2002. Upon completion of this course I applied to QTAC and VTAC (Victoria) and subsequently I received offers for Social Science (Human Services) and Social Work.

In undertaking this course, I have developed independent learning strategies to self direct my studies. As I progressed through the course my level of self direction increased which enabled me to plan and coordinate activities relating to my studies and to balance work and family commitments efficiently. Another valuable component of self-paced learning was that my time management skills accelerated.

The competencies, knowledge and skills that I have gained throughout this course, I believe, will enable me to function successfully in a university environment. I found the Unit on Stress Management particularly informative and helpful for both clients (in my current volunteer work) and myself. The final unit provided an opportunity to learn about research and to undertake and evaluate a contemporary counselling issue by conducting a literature review, by debating and summarizing my findings. This exercise will be a valuable tool for future assignment writing.

My Diploma qualification has enabled me to work as a Volunteer Counsellor in providing clients and significant others with support, assessment, options and referrals in a caring, empathic, confidential and non-judgemental manner. This work has also provided me with and understanding and insight to many other agencies and organisations who offer professional delivery to people experiencing many difficulties and addictions.

Janet Maguire

I completed the abuse major back in 2005 knowing that this is the field I wanted to work in. I have spent most of my life healing from an abusive childhood – full of parental neglect, alcoholism, emotional and sexual abuse. I have undertaken a lot of healing through self-analysis, being a client of a counsellor specialising in art therapy and doing sessions with a wide range of alternative therapists. I thrived on learning about the healing process. I did the Diploma principally to help myself, but I knew that once I'd reached a certain point in my own healing I would share my story and support others on their healing journeys.

What I have discovered in working with survivors is that most people who suffer abuse do not know how to heal and are too scared to embrace, feel and release the painful emotions. They fear being swallowed up by them and never resurfacing. They fear discovering further abuse buried within and not coping. They fear taking the risk to open up and look within. Many don't believe that they can heal and they don't believe they are worthy of love and of kindness. Their early treatment and conditioning is so negative and so strong that healing and breaking free from it seems an unachievable goal.

Trusting others, God or themselves is too foreign, too much of a stretch. It's a massive undertaking truly facing all your conditioning and healing from child abuse. Many people don't do it and end up repeating painful patterns throughout their life as those issues try to surface to be healed. It is very sad seeing people trapped by the past. It is my privilege to be a guide, a role model, showing people how to heal and supporting them through the process.

Many years ago I started running short workshops at a community college – 'Overcome your fears', 'Break free from repetitive patterns', and 'Heal from painful families'. Class size was set at 27 and involved providing information, doing exercises, sharing and self-reflection. The content was mostly theoretical containing lots of information from books that I had found useful in healing those issues in my life.

It was very mental and quite impersonal. This suited many people as they weren't yet ready to open up too much themselves, especially in such a big group of strangers. Some were ready, some weren't. I shared examples from my healing journey and people told me that they found this inspirational. It gave them hope that healing was possible and most importantly it helped them to accept themselves more, to see that their experiences had led to their behaviour and low self-esteem.

While this is a great step forward I felt the workshops were only an introduction to the process. More was needed to support them to actually make the changes in their own lives. I now prefer to run workshops with fewer participants where people can share more of their own experience and speak from their hearts about their process. I still provide handouts so that people can read the theory on how to heal, but I focus more on creating a loving and supportive environment where people can get in touch with their pain, their intuition and what they need to do next. I prefer to provide ongoing opportunities for such sharing through regular group work.

I have recently published a book titled 'The healing journey demystified: achieving sustainability one heart at a time'. This book contains both information on the steps involved in healing from child abuse and my process through the stages as a real life example. I explain all my conditioning, my addictions used to avoid my pain and try to prove I was okay (study, work, relationships), my defense mechanisms and repetitive patterns, the projections I used and the realisations I had as I healed. I have included appendices showing how art and dream analysis can be used as powerful healing tools.

The feedback so far has been very positive with people saying that the book has helped them to understand their behaviour and provided insights as to the next steps for them to take. If you are a survivor of child abuse or you work with survivors I'd like to invite you to explore my website http://www.emergingself.com.au/. There are links to a range of free e-books on personal development and manuals on healing from child abuse. There is also a link where you can purchase my book if you feel drawn to do so.

I am very grateful to the AIPC for all their support and for making the counselling study available in a way that is so flexible. It was a great starting point for understanding human behaviour and counselling approaches. It was an important part in my healing journey.

Jodi-Ann Smith

Four years to complete the diploma is quite a long time, but when I joined up in June 2005, after some months of consideration and deciding to proceed, I was already studying an Advanced Diploma in Accounting, which reduced the time available to devote to the Counselling Diploma. It therefore took me a couple of months to complete the first unit.

During the course there were a number of other demands on my time, including working full-time, another Diploma and sporting commitments. However, with the Counselling Diploma constantly at the back of my mind, I decided in January 2008 that I would make a commitment and complete the remaining 12 units by the end of 2009. This I accomplished four months early, with two majors. I was really happy and excited when I received my last 'competent' unit back in July 2009, and even more so after completing the 'Counselling Process Practical Component' Seminar in early August, meaning that I had finally completed the Diploma.

I enjoyed the format of studying the diploma, as I was able to progress at my own pace, and along with the online units this helped immensely, as at times I was completing two or three units within a month or two. When I first started this would have been impossible as there was no access online, and I had to send the workbooks to Queensland by 'snail mail'.

Throughout my studies I have gained a lot confidence and understanding of myself, giving me a much better outlook on life and how to deal with other people. Thank you once again AIPC for all of your support and encouragement.

Karen McMinn

I have just received my Diploma after four years of part time study with AIPC, and like many, I have had to balance study with full time work and family as well as the disability of being dyslexic. What has made the whole process a lot smoother has been the patience of the staff at AIPC. The markers always had kind and constructive remarks that assisted me in completing some of the harder assignments.

In the practicals, the instructors were nurturing as well as having the patience of saints, both in the one-on-ones as well as the seminars. They, like all good counsellors had the ability to assist you in finding the confidence required to carry out the necessary tasks.

In reflection on the course, the greatest asset I found that assisted me in the completion of the Diploma was the tireless work carried out by Peter and Marion Kesper (Regional Queensland branch).

When I first met Peter he provided for me the archetype of how I would like to be as a counsellor. His calm and empathetic nature is a credential that speaks volumes for AIPC's choice of Regional Queensland Manager. Peter is always there with encouragement and a kind word and makes himself available to answer some of the hardest (and sometimes the silliest) questions.

Marion would have to be the Queen of the paperwork jungle, all the materials I required were always sent to me on time as well as making time to talk and explain the course materials when I became confused.

To add to what I have written, the course structure, continuity and content have made me a confident counsellor and I thank all those involved.

All in all, I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in a career in counselling.

Lee Rogers

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.

I have done nothing to deliberately market my skills at all and I have been facilitating recovery groups for survivors of sexual abuse and for women with a dysfunctional family of origin for over a year now through my local church. The name of this ministry is Careforce. A few months ago my pastor approached me with regards to my becoming the ministry team leader for Careforce. I was over the moon for a couple of weeks and then the responsibility and work load hit me and I wasn't so sure.

Could I really teach people the skills that I had only just acquired myself? Did I really have what it takes to support a team of people who do this sort of work? Well I am doing it! I am currently in the middle of teaching my first facilitators training course and amazingly enough it is going very well. Next year I start my bachelor of social sciences degree majoring in Christian Counseling. My diploma gives me 8 units of credit for this degree and I have more credit from some psychology and child development studies that I did prior to my diploma. It is my long term plan to obtain my masters degree and go on to doctoral studies.

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.

Yes I am focused and determined and all that stuff that you don't want to hear about, but I have struggled too. I have had units sent back because I have made silly mistakes. I have sat down to a 4 hour study period and got half an hour into it and dissolved into tears because of the issues it has brought up. I have even had to struggle through marital difficulties that I would have never imagined as I have grown and changed over the months as a result of the nature of these studies. I empathize with your struggles but I do not sympathize because I know with determination you too can succeed! If you struggle with managing your time, make out a study plan and stick to it.

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.

Personally I have taken every available opportunity to get practical experience. You might think that you don't have the time to spare because you are studying, but it well worth the effort. I believe that I am far more confident as a beginning counsellor as a result of my practical experience than I would have been otherwise. Remember it all counts towards the hours of experience you need to accrue for membership with one of the counsellors associations.

You are in for a treat when you do finally complete your diploma. I will leave you in suspense. You will have to wait and see. Maybe if I have been unable to motivate you up until now this will give you the push you need. I want to encourage you to keep pressing on towards your goal and imagine the sense of satisfaction you will feel at the end.

Louise Fitzgerald

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 nose able to tackle tasks with out a second thought. All my family and friends have noticed a huge change in me over the time. To me this was not an easy journey as I was never good at school at studying, so for me to achieve my goal it took a lot of time and very hard work. The most important thing for me was setting small goals for each unit, and not thinking to far ahead. This is something also I learnt as I went further with my studies. If you look to far ahead we all get distracted from our goals.

At times 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.

Lyn Holt

I was informed about the AIPC diploma from a friend who had completed the Diploma. May 2005 was the beginning of a new world of learning, I was concerned for my learning ability and discipline to study as I had not studied for over 30 years and I was aware of the many distractions and commitments at home and in my life.

I did get distracted along the way with work commitments, ill health and family however I made the decision in 2008 to concentrate on completing the Diploma in 2009. I resigned from my fulltime position as a High School Teachers Aide and having faith that "Doors will open" once I had completed the Diploma.

I started on Unit 9 in February and worked out how many Units I needed to complete each month and focused on the end goal and got to work. The family and friends were all informed of my decision and they constantly remained a great source of support and encouragement along the way.

Some long nights and early mornings were part of the deal for me, as this was the time when my brain went into action (sometimes). As each Unit was completed and when results came back, I would send a group email (Study Update) out to friends and family. Feedback from these emails where very well received and much appreciated. I completed the diploma in January 2010, just in time to go on a cruise.12 months onwards to the day, I was successfully employed by Lifeline Community Care Mackay/Whitsunday.

My position is Counsellor/Educator for the PSCP Program (Post Separation Cooperative Parenting Program) in this position, I work with separated parents who are in conflict with each other and this conflict is affecting the parenting of the child/children. I am enjoying working in the Counselling sector and often drive home feeling that "I have made a difference" in someone's life today.

The support that I received from the AIPC team has been excellent and the standard and quality of their training is of a very high standard. I am very proud of my Diploma and I continue to recommend the AIPC to potential recipients. Thank you.

Maggie Newport

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!'

Mari-Shell Scott