Counselling Trainees
A number of our services take on trainee counsellors or qualified therapists wishing to gain experience in working with our client group.
In the majority of our services placements are available for those training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Our North Westminster Service welcomes trainees who are trained in a range of different therapy models, and there is a placement of this type available in the Redbridge Service (see below).
All counsellors on placement are either members of one of the main professional bodies for Counsellors and Psychotherapists, or they are in the latter stages of a training recognised by one of these bodies. Counsellors on placement will usually see at least 2 clients each time that they attend, optimally 3 clients. You should anticipate that a significant number of clients will be a DNA (Did Not Arrive). Therefore it is worth attending for a whole day, so that we can book in a number of clients for you. Each time that you attend you will need to do paperwork for each client.
If you are on a Masters course in CBT/REBT please contact Ben Gatty, Volunteer Development Manager: bgatty@wdp-drugs.org.uk. We are able to offer these trainees the following forms of support: line management from a senior member of the project team; the option of attending group clinical supervision; the option of attending team meetings. Trainees can also book on a range of WDP’s in-house trainings.
If you would like a Counseling placement in Redbridge please also email Ben Gatty on the above email address.
Our North Westminster Service has up to 8 trainee Counsellors on placement at any one time. The service welcomes those trained in a range of different therapy models. The North Westminster Counselling Co-ordinator, Urs Mattmann (urs.mattmann@wdp-drugs.org.uk), offers regular group and 1-1 supervision to all trainees, as well as induction and training. Urs is happy to receive applications all year round, but will only recruit when vacancies become available. This tends to be in the Autumn and the New Year.
Twice a year we run a Counselling ‘Away Day’ for all Counsellors on placement with WDP. Part of the day involves a training session on a recovery focused topic by a highly experienced Therapist. The remainder of the day involves peer networking and feedback on your experience on placement.
To apply please complete the Volunteer Application Form that can be downloaded from the main Volunteering page. Email your application to the relevant address listed above.