Willows Counselling & Training

24/09/2025

Counselling students, at Willows or elsewhere..... The latest edition of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society Student Counsellor magazine is out now! 📖

In this edition of Student Counsellor you will find:

- Supporting clients with impostor syndrome
- Our blog
- Keep Counselling Confidential
- Is the practice of counselling at odds with capitalism?
- Why journalling is important
- Counselling pathways
- Listening in
- From therapy rooms to online spaces
- Interesting Articles
- Ambiguous grief and the therapist
- Who are the NCPS? Our ethos
- My counselling journey
- Three precursors to burnout and how to combat them
- Why therapists working with young people need to understand red pill culture

It is a great resource for anyone on their journey to becoming a counsellor, or a great insight for anyone thinking of joining the profession.

We encourage you to have a read an make use of these fabulous resources.

The latest edition of the Student Counsellor magazine is out now! 📖

In this edition of Student Counsellor you will find:

- Supporting clients with impostor syndrome
- Our blog
- Keep Counselling Confidential
- Is the practice of counselling at odds with capitalism?
- Why journalling is important
- Counselling pathways
- Listening in
- From therapy rooms to online spaces
- Interesting Articles
- Ambiguous grief and the therapist
- Who are the NCPS? Our ethos
- My counselling journey
- Three precursors to burnout and how to combat them
- Why therapists working with young people need to understand red pill culture

It is a great resource for anyone on their journey to becoming a counsellor, or a great insight for anyone thinking of joining the profession.

Studying counselling or psychotherapy? This free e-magazine is for you.

https://buff.ly/ou9qPUR

10/09/2025

***dePreventionDay

10th September - World Su***de Prevention Day

If you, or someone you know, is thinking of taking their own life, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 166 123, or you can contact your GP, or - if it's an emergency - you can go to A&E.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or like you’re carrying more than you can manage alone, please know you don’t have to face it by yourself.

Counselling offers a safe and confidential space to talk things through with someone trained to listen: someone who won’t judge, rush you, or try to 'fix' you. Just someone who will really hear you, and help you make sense of what you’re going through.

You can find a qualified therapist near you, or online, via our directory: http://www.search-ncps.com/

***dePreventionDay

21/08/2025

Join us!!

Come and join us in Cirencester as we collaborate with Cirencester College Adult to deliver our well established introduction to counselling and listening skills.
For people considering counselling training, or those working in supportive, helping, or mentoring roles. You’ll learn…

☑️ the skill of ACTIVE LISTENING, and how we often fall into the trap of listening to respond, rather than listening to hear

☑️ the difference between EMPATHY and sympathy, and how empathy can increase connection

☑️ help for the helper. How SELF CARE plays a vital role in our capacity to support others whilst maintaining our own wellbeing

Getting touch and enrol today!

17/08/2025

03/08/2025

We’re delighted to partner with Cirencester College Adult to bring our Introduction to Counselling & Listening Skills course to their adult education programme. 🙌🏼

If you are Gloucestershire based, or Cirencester is a more convenient location for you, head over to their website for more details.
This course will still run from our training centre in Swindon on alternative dates.

We look forward to welcoming new groups ready to enhance their skills, and those seeking to take the first steps in training as a counsellor.

Introduction to Counselling and Listening Skills

Learn some key listening and responding skills and be equipped to become a better listener.

Supporting the emotional needs and wellbeing of others can leave us feeling out of our depth, unsure of what to say or do to be of most help. This course will help increase your confidence for helping others and enhance your ability to listen to others in personal or professional helping roles. It can also serve as a first step for those considering training as a counsellor.

Tue 14-Oct for 5 weeks 18:00 to 20:30 £195 *

link for more info www.cirencester.ac.uk/adult_course/introduction-to-counselling-and-listening-skills/

Willows Counselling & Training

01/08/2025

Not a counsellor, but interested in our profession? We need you!

Can you help us make sure we get our Code of Ethics right for everyone?

We're looking for people who aren't counsellors & psychotherapists to fill in our survey.

📝 The survey takes just 20–25 minutes to complete, with mostly multiple-choice questions and space for longer comments (max 250 words).

📅 Deadline: 20th August

Your voice matters. Let’s shape the future together.

Complete the survey here: https://buff.ly/szCfuc8

23/07/2025

📢 A P P L Y T O D A Y

Are you a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist with a desire to enhance your ability to work safely and effectively with trauma?

Our post graduate Diploma in Trauma (Level 6) offers a specialist in-person training platform from which to learn and work at depth with trauma and it's different presentations. Using Judith Herman's 3-phase trauma model as a framework for the course, delegates will explore big T and little t trauma, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and dissociation.

Our 2024 graduates said:

“The course is outstanding, I have felt so well supported and it has been a huge part of my personal and professional development.”

“Thank you for a wonderful year of learning. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in understanding trauma more deeply.”

We are currently taking applications for our 7th cohort, starting in September.
For more information, and to download an application pack, please visit our website using the link below.

https://www.willowscounselling.org.uk/training/our-courses/postgraduate-diploma-in-trauma-counselling-(level-6)/

This course has advanced specialist course recognition by National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society

See less

15/07/2025

WE ARE RECRUITING

Are you a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist with some teaching or training experience, looking for a new opportunity? Would you like to be part of shaping and inspiring the next generation of counsellors, working with a friendly and supportive training team?

We have an exciting vacancy for a co-tutor for our Level 2 CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Skills, awarded by Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB)

This is a 22-week course, running on Monday evenings during term-time, from September 2025 to March 2026.

Willows Counselling and Training, based in Swindon, is a leading provider of counsellor training with over 30 years' experience.
Please get in touch if you would like any further information; email training@willowscounselling.org.uk

Closing date: Wednesday 23rd July
Interviews: Tuesday 29th July

13/07/2025

HE DID IT! 🏅

50km in the 30 degree heat.
Well done Matt, we’re in awe of your achievement.

Please sponsor Matt and to help raise vital funds to provide counselling sessions for those in need.

£25 funds one counselling session.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattsracetothestones?msockid=216c63767a64630b0a5e76c27baf62ae&mc_cid=e2419ee127

13/07/2025

We need your donations

Matt has been walking for 8 hours now and is approx 10km from the finish line…. In this blazing heat 🥵

Please do ate if you can

This 50km challenge symbolises the path many of us walk in life, especially those facing mental health struggles. The ups and downs, represented by the elevation changes, is also symbolic of the counselling journey and the road to wellbeing.

13/07/2025

Please donate if you can...

MATT'S RACE TO THE STONES IS HAPPENING TODAY. We're cheering you on Matt!

£25 funds one counselling sessions.

Why not make a donation by visiting our Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mattsracetothestones?msockid=216c63767a64630b0a5e76c27baf62ae