A clinical placement at The Awareness Centre is not for the faint hearted! However, if you wish to embark on an exciting journey to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, this is the place for you. Just six weeks in and I am up and running with a full case load; the range of clients and presenting issues provide a wealth of learning opportunities to hone your skills and gain confidence in your creative abilities as a counsellor / therapist. Weekly group supervision with Michaela McCarthy is equally challenging and rewarding. In an atmosphere of dynamic and intellectual case discussion, Michaela’s authentic guidance, coupled with a no-holds-barred approach ensures valuable support and learning. This is enhanced by the multi-disciplinary backgrounds and therapeutic modalities of the members in the group. As a newly qualified Integrative Psychotherapist I can truthfully say that this placement has exceeded all of my hopes and expectations as I consolidate my learning and prepare myself for the next stage of my career path.
I am completing my MSc in counselling and psychotherapy and have been on placement for 18 months. Being at TAC, has given me a combination of an excellent support structure and access to rich, varied and complex client work. Not only has the placement provided me with long term client work, but also an opportunity to work with the renowned psychotherapist Michaela McCarthy as my supervisor. The learning gained in supervision has ranged from how to implement good practise management to an exploration of deep counter-transferential work and the implications this holds for client work.
I have supervision with Michaela McCarthy and five other females. I have found this process very supportive with an easy going laid back but firm boundaried approach Michaela brings to each session. She has a way of allowing us our space to work through any difficulties that may arise in supervision without judgment, bringing a caring, thoughtful experienced approach when facilitating the presenting work.
I was offered a placement at The Awareness Centre, Clapham, having heard excellent reports. This has definitely proved to be the right choice for me. Here I have the opportunity to work with both short-term clients within the NHS setting and more long-term within the ‘Low Cost’ service they offer. The learning here is second to none and has enabled me to grow and develop my therapeutic skills within a safe and supportive environment. TAC provides excellent supervision, (you cant beat Michaela… she is the best!!) help and support. The staff and team are knowledgeable and encouraging. I personally find the whole placement process to be a careful balance of professionalism, growth and personal autonomy. I would highly recommend TAC for your Psychotherapy placement.
I have found my clinical placement at The Awareness Centre to be invaluable. What a great opportunity to gain such professional experience! I have dealt with long and short term clients from
a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of issues. This has helped me developed counselling skills and knowledge. The weekly group supervision sessions with other therapists from different
theoretical orientations are insightful and are enriching my training. Michaela is inspiring and very supportive. Her warmth, authenticity and sense of humour create a relaxing atmosphere that
allows me to share my concerns freely and get the help and learnings I need to grow as a person and as a therapist.
The best aspect of supervision for me was the feeling of safety and support. There’s a real sense that we are in training and while there is also a real sense of direct dynamic communication, the feedback is constructive and protective. I have found the atmosphere is one of experiential group, which while potentially intimidating at first, the individual is as free as they feel to share process or client material whereby you cannot be wrong. Kelly is down to earth, always understanding, often challenging and at the end of an email if you need her. You couldn’t ask for much more from a supervisor.
Kelly is the kind of supervisor that creates a supportive context in which you can reflect upon your vulnerabilities, doubts and challenges as a therapist. She shares her own professional experience and challenges the group to participate and offer feedback. I enjoy my supervision group and the support I get there. It’s awesome!
Bonny has been a fantastic Supervisor, proving an essential part of my learning especially her understanding of transpersonal. I feel I can bring anything and everything to Supervison, whether that be my thoughts and feelings, or what the client’s issues are. I love working with Bonny and my Supervision group. We have created a special and contained learning space.
My clinical placement with The Awareness Centre has been a truly professional experience. With access to thought provoking training and knowledgeable supportive supervision, it is the ideal environment in which to swiftly and reliably build your hours, with the added bonus of being surrounded by a good humoured, top flight team.
Really good supervision is very hard to find, but with a clinical placement at The Awareness Centre it is professional, supportive and from well informed, experienced supervisors. The Awareness Centre provides a perfect balance of being thoroughly well organised and personally challenging whilst retaining its compassion for clients.
Through this placement I have been able to practise my skills as a therapist as well as develop my understanding of psychological theories. I have gained understanding of how to be organised and efficient with administrative work, and have experienced working in a team and keeping boundaries around time and finances.
I feel really supported by my supervisor and am able to share my thoughts and ideas about my work with clients. I find supervision a safe place where I can discuss any concerns I have without fearing judgement.
The training I have undergone has been interesting and invaluable. It has supported my work as a therapist and has given me insight, skills and perspectives enabling me to develop my client work.
