Becoming a counsellor has been a journey like no other. It is one that has changed my life, the way I think, feel and behave and how I view the world and those around me. It is an experience I am truly grateful for and would like to share with you.
My search
It all started 5 years ago when I began to feel unfulfilled in the work I was doing. I had a yearning to do something more, to make a mark in the world, to help and support others and feel like I was, in some small way able to make a difference. It was something I sat with for a while, unsure how to move forward – to make the change. And what change was it I was trying to make?
I had always been interested in the idea of becoming a counsellor, but never really new how to get into it. Every time I looked online I became confused and overwhelmed by the variety of different training courses, organisations, levels, and modalities, and they all seemed to offer something different. But what was right for me? I just didn’t know!
I heard that a colleague of mine was training to become a counsellor with The Link Centre, based in Plumpton, East Sussex. I was keen to understand what the experience had been like for her, so over coffee in a little café in Tunbridge Wells I listened to her talk of this transformative training experience, where she was learning so much about Transactional Analysis Counselling, and through this more about herself, others and the world around her. She directed me to their website.
Discoveries
Filled with the excitement of potential new opportunities and the possibility of a route into training that I had been searching for I took time to discover more. Founded in 2004, The Link Centre offers a range of courses for personal and professional development. I was particularly interested in their part time Counselling diploma (level 6) accredited with National Counselling Society and their training to become a UKCP registered Psychotherapist (level 7).
I made contact with The Link Centre directors, Leilani Mitchell and Mark Head, to understand where the best place would be for me to begin. They were warm and open in their communication and pointed me in the direction of the TA101. I’d never heard of a TA101. They explained that this 2-day course was an opportunity to learn more about myself and others and experience an introduction to Transactional Analysis, which is a theory of counselling that helps to explain why we think, feel and behave in the way that we do, and through this awareness helps the development of communication and relationships with others.
I experienced this enlightening, interactive and eye-opening 2-day course with a great group of people, some who would later become my training colleagues and friends, and I was hooked!
TA resonated with me. I connected with its principles and loved the way it presented complex patterns of behaviour and thinking in simple diagrams, making it very relatable and usable. I couldn’t wait to begin my training.
My new found journey
My foundation year started in 2017, beginning an incredible journey into self-discovery and awareness. I felt supported and valued as a student and enjoyed the discussions and interactions with my colleagues as well as the abundant learning. As I moved into the advanced TA training of Clinical year 1, I began to put the theory I had learnt in the foundation year into practice and began developing my skills as a counsellor, and practicing with colleagues. With support and guidance from the training team I began to build confidence and skill, and with sign off from my tutor I found a placement to continue developing my skills.
I still remember how nervous I was when I saw my first real live client on my placement with the NHS. However my training stood me in good stead and when my first session with my first client began, I knew I could offer a supportive, confidential and holding space for them to feel heard and to be able to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences free of judgement.
Unexpected journeys
My counselling experience hours were growing alongside my knowledge, skill and confidence…and then Covid hit. We were locked-down and face to face interaction was no longer allowed. I was sure that the pandemic would bring my counselling and training journey to a halt…. though it didn’t.
The team at The Link Centre responded quickly, with the needs of the students at the forefront of their plans. Training was moved online, and I was so surprised at how well this worked. The connection, care and support was still there, the learning was still abundant, and it worked. I moved my placement clients to telephone and online sessions and was amazed at how much I loved working in this way.
I completed my 3rd year of training during lockdown and was awarded my NCS accredited diploma in counselling shortly afterwards. It was such a proud moment and I still carry that feeling with me today. My diploma is framed and on the wall in my office and even now, sometimes when I look at it, I can feel a smile creep over my face and a rush of achievement and pride floods my body with warmth.
A new chapter
I set up The Bright Tree Practice and now have a thriving telephone and online counselling practice where I connect with clients from all over the country, offering support with anxiety, stress, grief, loss and relationship issues. I love my job and I feel fulfilled.
I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I had to train with The Link Centre… so much so that I am going back this year to begin training to become a UKCP registered psychotherapist.
If you would like to know more about the training to become a counsellor or psychotherapist, check out our website at The Link Centre.
Words: Jodie Smetham
Meet Jodie Smethem
Jodie is the Founder of The Bright Tree Practice and is the Enquiries Officer at The Link Centre, East Sussex. She is a qualified and accredited Transactional Analysis Counsellor working with clients from all over the country at her private practice based in East Sussex.
Jodie opened The Bright Tree Practice in 2020 with a vision to create and an open, supportive and welcoming therapeutic space where people are free to say out loud what they are thinking and feeling, are able to safely explore their needs and goals and are supported to develop tools, skills and strategies that build autonomy, self-awareness, resilience and empowerment.
With an extensive background in the corporate arena, Jodie is passionate about the improvement of mental health awareness and support in companies and organisations. She provides training and facilitation to support the development of individual, team and organisational insight and awareness, fostering a platform for communication and relationship building and cultivating an environment that improves resilience and reduces stress and anxiety levels in individuals, groups and teams.
Jodie uses her understanding and experience of the Counselling and Psychotherapy training process to support others who are considering or just beginning their training journey in her role as the Enquiries Officer at The Link Centre. An advocate for congruence in relationships with others, she believes that an open honest and transparent way of communicating increases engagement and builds mutual trust and respect – an essential foundation from which she builds all her therapeutic and working relationships.
You can contact Jodie at jodie[at]thebrighttreepractice.co.uk or visit her website
