ABSTRACT
This chapter maps onto the four key elements of counselling psychology training: academic work, clinical practice, research, and personal development. The bottom line for admission to postgraduate psychology training in the UK is Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC). An undergraduate course that heavily emphasises traditional, positivist, experimental psychology will feel less relevant, while a programme that actually incorporates counselling training will set people up exceptionally well. Foundational training in counselling and psychotherapy can be particularly important when a counselling psychologist have less of the kind of formal counselling experience. Of all the things that preoccupy and worry applicants to counselling psychology programmes, the extent and nature of their existing experience is probably the most significant. Volunteer counselling and active-listening opportunities are relatively easy to find, if counselling psychologist are looking in the right places, and especially if they have already undertaken counselling training.
