Training News Archives - Renew Counselling and Training https://renew.org.uk/category/renew-training/ Empowering People since 1904 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:18:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://renew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cropped-renew-logo-32x32.png Training News Archives - Renew Counselling and Training https://renew.org.uk/category/renew-training/ 32 32 Want to Become a Better Listener? https://renew.org.uk/want-to-become-a-better-listener-2/ Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:43:58 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12988 Starting November 2026 in Chelmsford — our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course helps you build confidence, develop listening skills and take the first step toward a counselling career.

The post Want to Become a Better Listener? appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING Q&A

Join our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills Course – starting November 2026 in Chelmsford

We’re delighted to announce that our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course is returning this November 2026 at our Chelmsford training centre.

This 12-week evening course is ideal for anyone who wants to develop better communication and listening skills, gain insight into the counselling process, and grow personally and professionally.

Whether you’re thinking about a career in counselling or simply want to deepen your ability to connect with others, this course offers a supportive and reflective first step.

We offer a FREE, online Q&A each month so that you can learn more about the course. To find out more, click here.

What Is the Introduction to Counselling Skills Course?

This Level 2 course introduces you to the foundations of counselling practice and the core skills used by professional counsellors. You’ll explore what it means to really listen, how to communicate with empathy, and how to build meaningful relationships in your work and personal life.

It’s especially valuable for those working in caring professions (such as teaching, healthcare, pastoral work or social care) as well as for anyone wanting to better understand themselves and others.

If you’re thinking about becoming a counsellor, this course will help you decide if it’s the right path for you, and it’s an excellent first step before progressing to our DipHE Counselling (Children and Young People) programme.

Course Details

    • Duration: 12 weeks, 1 evening per week

    • Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:30pm-9:15pm

    • Start Date: Wednesday 4th November 2026

    • Cost: £295.00

    • Location: Renew Counselling, Sadler’s House, 2 Legg Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1AH

What You’ll Learn

This practical and reflective course introduces three key areas of counselling skills:

1. The Professional Context of Counselling
Understand the ethical foundations of counselling and what makes a safe, supportive helping relationship.

2. Communication Skills in Helping Relationships
Develop active listening and empathic responding skills to improve how you connect with others.

3. Introduction to Personal Development and Theory
Reflect on your values, beliefs and personal growth as you begin to understand yourself and others in new ways.

Through a mix of discussion, skills practice and personal reflection, you’ll gain confidence in listening and responding, and learn what it really means to be present for another person.

Student Testimonial

“I completed the Introduction to Counselling Skills course with Renew and it genuinely changed the way I listen, not just professionally, but in everyday life. It gave me a new sense of empathy and awareness, and helped me understand what it means to really hear someone. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their relationships or explore a future in counselling.”

Who Should Join?

    • Anyone interested in starting a career in counselling

    • Professionals in caring or pastoral roles (e.g. teachers, healthcare staff, social workers)

    • Those planning to apply for our DipHE Counselling (Children and Young People)

    • Anyone who wants to improve communication and build stronger relationships

How to Book

Places are limited and often fill quickly. To register or find out more, contact our training team today:

georgiemarkwell@renew.org.uk
www.renew.org.uk/training

If you’re ready to improve how you listen, connect and communicate, whether in your work or your personal life, our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course in Chelmsford is the perfect place to start.

The post Want to Become a Better Listener? appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> Ready to take the next step in your counselling career? Discover our Diploma in Supervision https://renew.org.uk/ready-to-take-the-next-step-in-your-counselling-career-discover-our-diploma-in-supervision/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:47:58 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12812 Learning to be a counsellor doesn’t fit the pace of modern life. Real counselling training takes time, presence and practice. This piece explores why in-person study still matters, and how slower, relational learning helps counsellors grow into the work with confidence and care.

The post Ready to take the next step in your counselling career? Discover our Diploma in Supervision appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Ready to take the next step in your counselling career? Discover our Diploma in Supervision at our Open Day

BOOK YOUR PLACE OR SIGN UP FOR MORE INFO

If you’re an experienced counsellor thinking about becoming a clinical supervisor, our free open day is the perfect opportunity to find out more about Renew’s Post-Qualification Diploma in Supervision.

Designed for qualified practitioners who want to support and develop other counsellors, this specialist course equips you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide effective, ethical supervision across a range of settings.

At our open day, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Meet our experienced training team.

  • Learn more about the structure and content of the Diploma in Supervision.

  • Find out who the course is designed for and the entry requirements.

  • Ask questions about the application process and what to expect as a student.

  • Tour our training facilities in Chelmsford.

Whether you’re looking to expand your professional practice or develop your skills, our Diploma in Supervision provides a supportive environment to grow your expertise.

At Renew, we believe great supervisors play a vital role in maintaining safe, reflective and effective counselling practice. Our training combines theory with practical application, helping you develop the confidence to support fellow practitioners throughout their professional journey.

Join us at our open day to learn more

If you’re ready to explore the next stage of your counselling career, we’d love to meet you.

Join us at our open day to learn more and ask any questions you may have.

BOOK YOUR PLACE OR SIGN UP FOR MORE INFO

The post Ready to take the next step in your counselling career? Discover our Diploma in Supervision appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> Want to learn more about training with Renew? Join us for an Open Day or Taster Session! https://renew.org.uk/want-to-learn-more-about-training-with-renew-join-us-for-an-open-day-or-taster-session/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:04:12 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12806 Learning to be a counsellor doesn’t fit the pace of modern life. Real counselling training takes time, presence and practice. This piece explores why in-person study still matters, and how slower, relational learning helps counsellors grow into the work with confidence and care.

The post Want to learn more about training with Renew? Join us for an Open Day or Taster Session! appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Thinking about training as a counsellor, or want to develop your practice? Join us for an Open Day

BOOK YOUR PLACE OR SIGN UP FOR MORE INFO

Whether you’re taking your first steps towards becoming a counsellor or looking to build on your existing qualification, our free open days are a great opportunity to find out more about studying with Renew.

Our open days focus on:

  • Diploma HE in Counselling (Child and Young Person) Person-Centred – ideal for those who have already completed introductory counselling skills training and are ready to begin professional counsellor training.

  • BA (Hons) Counselling (Top-Up) – designed for qualified counsellors who want to deepen their practice, gain a full honours degree and continue their professional development.

During the session you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Meet our experienced training team.

  • Learn more about each course and who it’s designed for.

  • Find out what studying at Renew is like.

  • Ask questions about entry requirements, applications and student life.

  • Tour our training facilities in Chelmsford.

We know that choosing where to study is a big decision. Our open days are relaxed and informal, giving you plenty of time to explore your options and decide whether Renew is the right place for you.

Our courses combine academic learning with personal and professional development, preparing students to become reflective, ethical practitioners who can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Book your free place

Attendance is free, but places are limited.

Book your place on an upcoming open day here: 

BOOK YOUR PLACE OR SIGN UP FOR MORE INFO

The post Want to learn more about training with Renew? Join us for an Open Day or Taster Session! appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> Join us for a FREE Q&A to find out if Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people is right for you! https://renew.org.uk/join-us-for-a-free-qa-to-find-out-if-renews-diploma-in-counselling-children-and-young-people-is-right-for-you/ https://renew.org.uk/join-us-for-a-free-qa-to-find-out-if-renews-diploma-in-counselling-children-and-young-people-is-right-for-you/#respond Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:54:25 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12632 At Renew Counselling and Training, we understand that choosing the right training is a deeply personal decision. You might already be working with young people in some capacity and wanting to expand your expertise, or perhaps you’re at the beginning of your journey, drawn to working with younger clients because you feel their voices deserve to be understood and respected.

The post Join us for a FREE Q&A to find out if Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people is right for you! appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Join us for our next Q & A to find out more about our DiplomaHE in Counselling (Child and Young Person)!

INTERESTED? CLICK HERE TO LEAVE YOUR DETAILS.

Our online Q&As for the Diploma take place on the last Tuesday of every month. Sign up to join us – or just to receive more information.

Is the Diploma right for me?

Choosing to specialise in counselling children and young people is more than just a career – it’s about wanting to make a real difference in the lives of those still finding their way. It’s about providing a safe, understanding space where they can feel heard. But how do you know if this path is the right one for you?

At Renew Counselling and Training, we understand that choosing the right training is a deeply personal decision. You might already be working with young people in some capacity and wanting to expand your expertise, or perhaps you’re at the beginning of your journey, drawn to working with younger clients because you feel their voices deserve to be understood and respected. Whatever your background, our Diploma HE in Counselling (Child and Young Person) Person Centred is designed to meet you where you are and help you grow.

Is this course right for me?

Ask yourself:

  • Do you feel passionate about supporting children and young people through life’s challenges?
  • Are you curious about the specific needs and experiences of younger clients and how to tailor your approach to meet them?
  • Are you keen to deepen your understanding of ethical considerations, safeguarding and best practices in working with this age group?
  • Do you want to take part in specialised training that equips you to work confidently with children and young people?

If you find yourself nodding along to these questions, our Diploma could be exactly what you’re looking for.

What you can expect from the course

Our Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People offers:

  • Modern, specialist clinical training in an authentic environment at Renew Counselling in Chelmsford.
  • A focus on developing self-awareness and practical skills, through observed groups and reflective practice.
  • Understanding of key areas, including child development, psychopathology, creative techniques, art materials and play.
  • A placement from Year 3, totalling 150 clinical hours, providing practical, real-world experience.
  • Development of BACP competences, enhancing your employability.

Ready to take the next step?

Choosing the right training is all about finding a course that resonates with your values and ambitions. If you’re ready to explore whether our Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People is the right fit for you, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We’d love to chat to you about the Diploma. Leave your details here and we’ll make sure to send you more information.

The post Join us for a FREE Q&A to find out if Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people is right for you! appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> https://renew.org.uk/join-us-for-a-free-qa-to-find-out-if-renews-diploma-in-counselling-children-and-young-people-is-right-for-you/feed/ 0 Want to Become a Better Listener? https://renew.org.uk/want-to-become-a-better-listener/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:48:15 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12631 Starting January 2026 in Chelmsford — our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course helps you build confidence, develop listening skills and take the first step toward a counselling career.

The post Want to Become a Better Listener? appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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SIGN UP FOR OUR NEXT INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING Q&A

Join our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills Course – starting April 2026 in Chelmsford

We’re delighted to announce that our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course is returning this April 2026 at our Chelmsford training centre.

This 12-week evening course is ideal for anyone who wants to develop better communication and listening skills, gain insight into the counselling process, and grow personally and professionally.

Whether you’re thinking about a career in counselling or simply want to deepen your ability to connect with others, this course offers a supportive and reflective first step.

We offer a FREE, online Q&A each month so that you can learn more about the course. To find out more, click here.

What Is the Introduction to Counselling Skills Course?

This Level 2 course introduces you to the foundations of counselling practice and the core skills used by professional counsellors. You’ll explore what it means to really listen, how to communicate with empathy, and how to build meaningful relationships in your work and personal life.

It’s especially valuable for those working in caring professions (such as teaching, healthcare, pastoral work or social care) as well as for anyone wanting to better understand themselves and others.

If you’re thinking about becoming a counsellor, this course will help you decide if it’s the right path for you, and it’s an excellent first step before progressing to our DipHE Counselling (Children and Young People) programme.

Course Details

    • Duration: 12 weeks, 1 evening per week

    • Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6pm–8.45pm

    • Start Date: April 2026

    • Cost: £289.00

    • Location: Renew Counselling, Sadler’s House, 2 Legg Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1AH

What You’ll Learn

This practical and reflective course introduces three key areas of counselling skills:

1. The Professional Context of Counselling
Understand the ethical foundations of counselling and what makes a safe, supportive helping relationship.

2. Communication Skills in Helping Relationships
Develop active listening and empathic responding skills to improve how you connect with others.

3. Introduction to Personal Development and Theory
Reflect on your values, beliefs and personal growth as you begin to understand yourself and others in new ways.

Through a mix of discussion, skills practice and personal reflection, you’ll gain confidence in listening and responding, and learn what it really means to be present for another person.

Student Testimonial

“I completed the Introduction to Counselling Skills course with Renew and it genuinely changed the way I listen, not just professionally, but in everyday life. It gave me a new sense of empathy and awareness, and helped me understand what it means to really hear someone. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their relationships or explore a future in counselling.”

Who Should Join?

    • Anyone interested in starting a career in counselling

    • Professionals in caring or pastoral roles (e.g. teachers, healthcare staff, social workers)

    • Those planning to apply for our DipHE Counselling (Children and Young People)

    • Anyone who wants to improve communication and build stronger relationships

How to Book

Places are limited and often fill quickly. To register or find out more, contact our training team today:

georgiemarkwell@renew.org.uk
www.renew.org.uk/training

If you’re ready to improve how you listen, connect and communicate, whether in your work or your personal life, our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course in Chelmsford is the perfect place to start.

The post Want to Become a Better Listener? appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> Why counselling training takes time – and why in-person study still matters https://renew.org.uk/why-counselling-training-takes-time-and-why-in-person-study-still-matters/ Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:14:42 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12388 Learning to be a counsellor doesn’t fit the pace of modern life. Real counselling training takes time, presence and practice. This piece explores why in-person study still matters, and how slower, relational learning helps counsellors grow into the work with confidence and care.

The post Why counselling training takes time – and why in-person study still matters appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Why counselling training takes time – and why in-person study still matters

The pace of life has quickened. We scroll, swipe and expect results immediately. Yet learning to be a counsellor doesn’t fit that rhythm. Counselling training takes time, as you build the steadiness and self-awareness needed to sit alongside someone else. Real counselling training needs your practice and presence – as well as patience.

At Renew Counselling and Training, every stage of study is designed to let people grow into the work, not rush through it. Even at the very start of your counselling training journey, our Introduction to Counselling course runs over twelve weeks and is delivered in person.

Learn more about our Introduction to Counselling Skills course

It offers space to explore what draws you to helping others and to experience what it means to listen without trying to fix. Many students discover, in those few months, that counselling is as much about learning who you are as it is about learning what to do.

For those who go on to further study, the Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling (Child and Young Person) Person-Centred is a four-year, part-time counselling qualification.

Learn more about our DipHe in Counselling (Child and Young Person) Person-Centred

Students spend one full day a week together in training. Over those years, they gain not only theory and technique but the capacity to be with children and young people in a way that feels safe and attuned. Alongside classes come placements, supervision and the gradual but meaningful accumulation of real experience with clients. Confidence develops over time, through relationships and reflection.

For some, the learning journey continues beyond the Diploma. Renew’s BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Top-Up) is a one-year, full-time, work-based counselling degree for counsellors and psychotherapists who are already practising.

Learn more about our BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Top-Up

Teaching takes place one day a week, allowing study to run alongside ongoing client work.

Students develop their skills, knowledge and clinical practice through one of two specialist routes: Counselling Adults or Counselling Children and Young People. Across the year, they explore theory in depth and develop their research skills through seminars, peer learning and study groups. The course culminates in a research project and dissertation, creating space for sustained attention to practice-based questions.

This kind of learning cannot be rushed. It is built around time: time spent thinking, discussing, researching and writing; time for ideas to be tested and refined in relation to real client work; and time for professional judgement to be shaped through careful, supported study.

Training face to face matters. In shared rooms, people notice tone, silence, laughter and how it feels to be listened to. These small human details shape the kind of counsellor you become. They can’t be replicated by quick online modules or generic video lessons. In-person counselling training allows time to make mistakes safely and to be witnessed as you learn.

Taking the slower route doesn’t mean falling behind. By taking your time, you are allowing enough time for change to take root in knowledge, in practice and in the person you are becoming. When you finally begin working with clients, you carry not just information but understanding, tested and shaped through years of shared learning.

Our BA (Hons) Counselling Top-Up kicks off this January; our Introduction to Counselling course starts in April; and our next Diploma HE in Counselling (Child and Young Person) Person-Centred begins in September 2026. We’re hosting a number of Open Days throughout the year and would love to meet you if you’re considering counselling training with Renew.

Book on to one of our Open Days

For details about any of our counselling courses, please contact the Renew training team for a chat – we’re happy to take the time to chat to you. Just click the button below, scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the contact form.

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TRAINING TEAM

The post Why counselling training takes time – and why in-person study still matters appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> Want to Become a Better Listener? https://renew.org.uk/level-2-introduction-to-counselling-skills-chelmsford-2026/ Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:56:32 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12354 Starting January 2026 in Chelmsford — our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course helps you build confidence, develop listening skills and take the first step toward a counselling career.

The post Want to Become a Better Listener? appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Join our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills Course – starting January 2026 in Chelmsford

We’re delighted to announce that our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course is returning this January 2026 at our Chelmsford training centre.

This 12-week evening course is ideal for anyone who wants to develop better communication and listening skills, gain insight into the counselling process, and grow personally and professionally.

Whether you’re thinking about a career in counselling or simply want to deepen your ability to connect with others, this course offers a supportive and reflective first step.

What Is the Introduction to Counselling Skills Course?

This Level 2 course introduces you to the foundations of counselling practice and the core skills used by professional counsellors. You’ll explore what it means to really listen, how to communicate with empathy, and how to build meaningful relationships in your work and personal life.

It’s especially valuable for those working in caring professions (such as teaching, healthcare, pastoral work or social care) as well as for anyone wanting to better understand themselves and others.

If you’re thinking about becoming a counsellor, this course will help you decide if it’s the right path for you, and it’s an excellent first step before progressing to our DipHE Counselling (Children and Young People) programme.

Course Details

  • Duration: 12 weeks, 1 evening per week
  • Day/Time: Tuesdays, 6pm–8.45pm
  • Start Date: January 2026
  • Cost: £289.00
  • Location: Renew Counselling, Sadler’s House, 2 Legg Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1AH

What You’ll Learn

This practical and reflective course introduces three key areas of counselling skills:

1. The Professional Context of Counselling
Understand the ethical foundations of counselling and what makes a safe, supportive helping relationship.

2. Communication Skills in Helping Relationships
Develop active listening and empathic responding skills to improve how you connect with others.

3. Introduction to Personal Development and Theory
Reflect on your values, beliefs and personal growth as you begin to understand yourself and others in new ways.

Through a mix of discussion, skills practice and personal reflection, you’ll gain confidence in listening and responding, and learn what it really means to be present for another person.

Student Testimonial

“I completed the Introduction to Counselling Skills course with Renew and it genuinely changed the way I listen, not just professionally, but in everyday life. It gave me a new sense of empathy and awareness, and helped me understand what it means to really hear someone. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their relationships or explore a future in counselling.”

Who Should Join?

  • Anyone interested in starting a career in counselling
  • Professionals in caring or pastoral roles (e.g. teachers, healthcare staff, social workers)
  • Those planning to apply for our DipHE Counselling (Children and Young People)
  • Anyone who wants to improve communication and build stronger relationships

How to Book

Places are limited and often fill quickly. To register or find out more, contact our training team today:

michelleallen@renew.org.uk
www.renew.org.uk/training

If you’re ready to improve how you listen, connect and communicate, whether in your work or your personal life, our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills course in Chelmsford is the perfect place to start.

 

The post Want to Become a Better Listener? appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> Want to take your career to the next level? Apply for our BA, starting in January 2026 https://renew.org.uk/want-to-take-your-career-to-the-next-level-apply-for-our-ba-starting-in-january-2026/ https://renew.org.uk/want-to-take-your-career-to-the-next-level-apply-for-our-ba-starting-in-january-2026/#respond Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:06:24 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12126 Join our FREE Q&A to learn more about our BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Top-Up) – January start! SIGN UP NOW OUR FREE Q&A “The BA Top-Up was the best thing I ever did…my private practice has gone from strength to strength.” Want to take your career to the next level? Enrol in a […]

The post Want to take your career to the next level? Apply for our BA, starting in January 2026 appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Join our FREE Q&A to learn more about our BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Top-Up) – January start!

SIGN UP NOW OUR FREE Q&A

“The BA Top-Up was the best thing I ever did…my private practice has gone from strength to strength.”

Want to take your career to the next level? Enrol in a BA in Counselling and Pyschotherapy (Top-Up) with Renew Counselling and Training, Chelmsford.

Working in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, Renew’s tutors provide specialist training that is exciting, innovative and meets professional training standards.

Free online Q&A: Join us for a FREE Q&A session with the training team on 28 August 2025, from 1:00pm – 1:30pm

Student finance: You may be eligible for a loan to cover the costs of your tuition.

Free support: We offer FE/non-HE qualified counsellors free support to achieve the 240 HE credits required to enrol. 

There are spaces available on our BA (Top-Up) course in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University. 

Do you have professional body membership? Have you achieved 240 HE credits? You are likely to be eligible to join the course, starting January 2026.

Want to know more? Click the button above and leave us your details!

Fill in your details via the form above to arrange a chat with the team. Alternatively, feel free to reach out directly by calling 01245 359353 or emailing michelleallen@renew.org.uk.

The post Want to take your career to the next level? Apply for our BA, starting in January 2026 appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> https://renew.org.uk/want-to-take-your-career-to-the-next-level-apply-for-our-ba-starting-in-january-2026/feed/ 0 Join us for a FREE Q&A to find out if Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people is right for you! https://renew.org.uk/diploma-qanda-july25/ https://renew.org.uk/diploma-qanda-july25/#respond Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:05:07 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12120 At Renew Counselling and Training, we understand that choosing the right training is a deeply personal decision. You might already be working with young people in some capacity and wanting to expand your expertise, or perhaps you’re at the beginning of your journey, drawn to working with younger clients because you feel their voices deserve to be understood and respected.

The post Join us for a FREE Q&A to find out if Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people is right for you! appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Choosing the right training: is Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people right for you?

INTERESTED? CLICK HERE TO LEAVE YOUR DETAILS.

Choosing to specialise in counselling children and young people is more than just a career – it’s about wanting to make a real difference in the lives of those still finding their way. It’s about providing a safe, understanding space where they can feel heard. But how do you know if this path is the right one for you?

At Renew Counselling and Training, we understand that choosing the right training is a deeply personal decision. You might already be working with young people in some capacity and wanting to expand your expertise, or perhaps you’re at the beginning of your journey, drawn to working with younger clients because you feel their voices deserve to be understood and respected. Whatever your background, our Diploma HE in Counselling (Child and Young Person) Person Centred is designed to meet you where you are and help you grow.

Is this course right for me?

Ask yourself:

  • Do you feel passionate about supporting children and young people through life’s challenges?
  • Are you curious about the specific needs and experiences of younger clients and how to tailor your approach to meet them?
  • Are you keen to deepen your understanding of ethical considerations, safeguarding and best practices in working with this age group?
  • Do you want to take part in specialised training that equips you to work confidently with children and young people?

If you find yourself nodding along to these questions, our Diploma could be exactly what you’re looking for.

What you can expect from the course

Our Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People offers:

  • Modern, specialist clinical training in an authentic environment at Renew Counselling in Chelmsford.
  • A focus on developing self-awareness and practical skills, through observed groups and reflective practice.
  • Understanding of key areas, including child development, psychopathology, creative techniques, art materials and play.
  • A placement from Year 3, totalling 150 clinical hours, providing practical, real-world experience.
  • Development of BACP competences, enhancing your employability.

Ready to take the next step?

Choosing the right training is all about finding a course that resonates with your values and ambitions. If you’re ready to explore whether our Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People is the right fit for you, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

We’d love to chat to you about the Diploma. Leave your details here and we’ll make sure to send you more information.

The post Join us for a FREE Q&A to find out if Renew’s Diploma in counselling children and young people is right for you! appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

]]> https://renew.org.uk/diploma-qanda-july25/feed/ 0 Renew’s Graduate Celebration Day 2025: In conversation with our special guest, Dr Sami Timimi https://renew.org.uk/renews-graduate-celebration-day-2025-in-conversation-with-our-special-guest-dr-sami-timimi/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:01:52 +0000 https://renew.org.uk/?p=12113 This July, we're honoured to welcome child and adolescent psychiatrist and author Dr Sami Timimi to our Celebration Day at Renew. Known for his challenges to conventional mental health thinking and his belief in the power of relationships, Dr Timimi’s work has so many parallels with our ethos at Renew.
Ahead of his talk, we asked about the ideas that shaped his thinking - from challenging dominant narratives around diagnosis to the importance of relationships, culture and context. He shared what this means for those entering the profession, and what he hopes new counsellors will carry with them.

The post Renew’s Graduate Celebration Day 2025: In conversation with our special guest, Dr Sami Timimi appeared first on Renew Counselling and Training.

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Renew’s Graduate Celebration Day 2025: In conversation with our special guest, Dr Sami Timimi

This July, we’re honoured to welcome child and adolescent psychiatrist and author Dr Sami Timimi to our Celebration Day at Renew. Known for his challenges to conventional mental health thinking and his belief in the power of relationships, Dr Timimi’s work has so many parallels with our ethos at Renew.

Ahead of his talk, we asked about the ideas that shaped his thinking – from challenging dominant narratives around diagnosis to the importance of relationships, culture and context. He shared what this means for those entering the profession, and what he hopes new counsellors will carry with them.

Read on to learn more about Dr Timimi – and if you’d like to learn more about our training offer, please do get in touch.

You’ve spent a lot of your career challenging dominant ideas, especially around children’s mental health. What first sparked that shift in your thinking?

That’s one of those stories where you could start at several different points!

Looking at my own personal history, I grew up in Iraq with political parents who had different belief systems to the religious ones that dominated the culture. The deteriorating political situation meant that I had to come to the UK when I was 14, where I was exposed to a very different way of life. As a result, from a young age, I had experiences that showed me that people have many ways of understanding, interpreting and being in the world, which led to a certain scepticism in me when I encounter “truth” claims.

“People have many ways of understanding, interpreting and being in the world”

I became interested in transcultural psychiatry, and anthropological and sociological studies during my training. When I was a senior trainee in child and adolescent psychiatry in the mid-1990s, the concept of ADHD was beginning to filter into the academic and professional discourse in this country. I was being supervised by a consultant who was looking into the issue of children from ethnic minorities, and particularly those from an Afro-Caribbean background, being disproportionately expelled from school. He became interested in whether this might be related to undiagnosed ADHD and asked me if I would help by doing a literature on the subject.

I kept having this “will-o’-the-wisp” experience – there was nothing concrete to hold onto that explained what ADHD “is” beyond the circularity of defining it by the behaviours it described. I came to realise that it was an invented concept being accepted without the necessity of scientific support. All sorts of assumptions were being made before there was material evidence to back them up. I was watching castles being built on sand – there were no solid foundations. This experience provoked me to re-examine concepts I had previously accepted. It was an important moment in developing my critical thinking.

Do you think that’s an important message for our graduates – the idea of questioning assumptions and stepping back from what’s often taken for granted?

Yes. What I eventually came to realise is that our concepts of mental health and behavioural difference are subjective. What we call symptoms are just experiences or behaviours, and the framework of interpretation that we put around them has significant consequences. In our line of work, we don’t discover the “truth” or the “real” meaning – we construct it.

“Our concepts of mental health and behavioural difference are subjective.” 

The models we use to construct the system of meaning we then impose, has consequences. We should always be thinking about our paradigm of meaning, what assumptions are embedded and what the possible consequences of using such a paradigm might be.

You’ve described diagnoses like ADHD and autism as social constructs rather than objective medical facts. What does that mean, and why does it matter?

One of the things that first drew me into child and adolescent psychiatry was my first placement in a child and adolescent psychiatric department in central London, back in 1992. At that time, the work was strongly influenced by a systemic approach. This led me to an understanding of the importance of two things.

First, it highlighted the importance of context. Children don’t make most of the important decisions in their lives and come into being within a system that is already in existence. Of course, that’s true for all our life, but it’s particularly obvious when working with children and young people. This means the real-life contexts and important relationships are key components of what happens to them and sets up possibilities and limitations for the beliefs and practices they grow up with.

“One of the worst things I think we can do during that process is to embed the idea that there is something “internal” in their wiring, neurology or sense of self that is fixed and life-long. That can have big implications for an individual.”

The other one is the idea of development. Development in its broadest sense is the understanding that life is always in motion and that change is the one constant. Again, this is particularly clear when working with young people. As they grow up, their body changes, their experience of emotion changes, their ability to think in an abstract manner and to search for broader existential meanings develops, their interests change, friendship groups change and so on. One of the worst things I think we can do during that process is to embed the idea that there is something “internal” in their wiring, neurology or sense of self that is fixed and life-long. That can have big implications for an individual.

At a societal level, it seems to be part of a culture of hyper-individualism, which atomizes people and relegates the importance of social connectedness. This has contributed towards creating what I call a ‘human typology’. We’ve got various categories of people and we keep inventing more subcategories within those categories. This leads us away from social solidarity and change at the social level. At the societal level the message becomes that you experience liberation through a kind of radical individualism. That is not the way for society to change at the political and economic level, let alone for individuals to be liberated.

You often emphasise the role of relationships, culture and context in understanding distress. For someone training to be a counsellor, what does that shift in thinking invite?

Two building blocks are really important: Context and development.

Context should lead you to be aware that people have a life that is also a relational life. They have relationships with things external to them. The things that might be helpful in shifting their mental state are also in their context, so the context isn’t just where distress might be developed and experienced, it also has the potential for resources. We should always be thinking – what’s happening in the real lives of people? What’s going on in their material life and in their relationship lives? We should take that into consideration rather than exclusively focusing on what’s going on “between the ears”.

Helping people shift their mental state might be part of that process: it’s not ignoring what’s going on between the ears, because there are so many people who are in various forms of distress that have a history of various types of adversities, and this history often leads them to have great difficulty with trust. But this is relational too as helping people shift their sense of trust and being able to take risks can be important in helping them reconnect and re-engage with a relational life.

“Even when people are struggling for weeks, months or years – again and again, I see people taking a step that they never imagined they would at some point.”

Development is important because we should always keep in mind that people change. My experience is that change tends to happen in steps. Psychological change doesn’t happen as a gradual thing. There might be a gradual thing that leads to you taking a step. It’s like learning to ride a bike – you practice and practice, you may fall off, but eventually you get it. Then you have to learn how to turn a corner and you might fall off again and so on. Psychological development takes place steps like that. This means that even when people are struggling for weeks, months or years – again and again, I see people taking a step that they never imagined they would at some point.

I say this to clients all the time: “change will happen. I don’t know what it will be like. I don’t know how you will discover it, and I don’t know when you will discover it, but it will happen.” In planting that idea I’m choosing a framework with certain consequences – particularly one that keeps hope alive and maintains the centrality of the inevitability of change.

We’re about to celebrate a new group of trained counsellors. What’s the one message you’d want them to carry with them as they start working with clients?

This might seem like an odd one! I’ve had many trainees, and it might be more pertinent to doctors, but a lot of them come with a Saviour syndrome. Please beware of your need for your clients to get better. Don’t burden your clients with that. When change has happened, it is because they have made a change.

Want to know more about training with us?

Whether you’re a Renew graduate just starting out in practice or you are many years into the work, Dr Timimi’s words are a reminder to stay curious, question assumptions and keep people at the centre of our practice. 

We’re so looking forward to welcoming him to our Celebration Day and to sharing the moment with our brilliant community of trainees, graduates and tutors.

If you’d like to find out more about training with Renew, please get in touch with Michelle Allen and the training team via michelleallen@org.uk or 01245 264348.  

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