Carlotta Graham
Diploma of Relationship Counselling
"The support of the AIPC team was brilliant and I have made some lifelong friends and colleagues"
After an amazing career as a policewoman, only losing it to an accident, I found myself being a stay at home mum again and using all my time for the family and allowing nothing for myself. In my forties, with plenty of time on my hands I found myself becoming increasingly disillusioned with how my life was becoming a dull routine and no longer challenging.
My husband suggested further study into something I was passionate about and that is when I came across the AIPC website. I sat on it for a few weeks before realising it was me that was able to map my life out and make something great out of it because nobody was going to knock on my front door and do it for me. I made the call and spoke with Rob Carrigan who was a wealth of information and encouragement.
I began studying for the Diploma of Counselling in July 2012 and was excited yet a little nervous when my first pack arrived in the mail. I dedicated all my spare time to my studies and the workshops and graduated in July 2013.
The support of the AIPC team was brilliant and I have made some lifelong friends and colleagues. After graduating I held my diploma and thought “Well, what now?” I decided not to wait, because the time would never be just right and instead began networking furiously with other graduates as well as attending short courses on offer from other government and non-government agencies to not only increase my professional development but to also get my name out there and let myself be known to people. I applied for a job in mental health and to my surprise (and delight), won a full time position for a federally funded organisation.
Challenges certainly make life interesting, but overcoming them is what makes our lives more meaningful. I realised that I have a place in the world and it’s my life, so I am doing all I can with it and making it the life I want to live.
More Testimonials
"The thing I love most about studying at AIPC were the people, they were very supportive. If I had any problems whatsoever with the content, it was very easy just to pick up the phone and converse with one of the lecturers or one of the support staff."
"There was a big gap between when I finished college and when I decided to study the Master's, with my daughters, my husband, all my other commitments, I was worried it would be too complicated. But that's why I love AIPC, it's flexible, supportive, professional. The lecturers know their stuff and love sharing it, the staff are amazing, and you have the support to study at home, at your own pace. I've felt supported through my entire journey, and I'd recommend AIPC to anyone, for the Masters or the Diploma."
"I was a client in counselling for a while and I started to realise that it was an incredible gift that people can give and so I thought, I'd like to have a go at that, and here I am. For anyone who's thinking about studying here or moving into counselling, give it a go, who knows where it's going to lead you. The place where I am now is different to where I thought I would be, but it's better. If you want to be someone who's making a difference in the lives of others, I really just say give it a go."
"The AIPC staff have great real world experience which they bring to our learning and that just lights up and adds so much value to the theory that we're learning.
"The thing I love most about studying at AIPC were the people, they were very supportive. If I had any problems whatsoever with the content, it was very easy just to pick up the phone and converse with one of the lecturers or one of the support staff.
"The moment I enrolled with the diploma, I knew straight away this was the right place for me and it was an absolute given that I would continue on with the Bachelor.
I am very busy person. But I do find that with the study, I understand that there is that balance required, which I've been able to sustain all the way through my studies.
I absolutely, 100% recommend AIPC for anyone considering counselling, whether that's a diploma, bachelor, masters, any sort of stream that they're interested in."