Training

Network has been training counsellors in Bristol for over 30 years. We are proud of the quality and professionalism of our courses. These range from short introductory courses, to Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma programmes, to CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and bespoke courses for employers, agencies and the voluntary sector.

We base our teaching on the belief that all individuals are a complex unity of body, mind, soul and spirit.  In recognising the spiritual aspect as universal, we offer a dimension to our courses that we believe is unique in counselling training.

Why train with Network?

• Ours is the only Bristol-based counselling training to include a primary focus on human spirituality in the curriculum.
• Our Advanced Diploma in Counselling is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
• Our Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills course is quality checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
• Diploma students can take up a placement within our in-house counselling agency – so you can build up your experience as you train. This includes a contribution towards the cost of supervision.
• We offer an excellent staff-student ratio, particularly in relation to our Advanced Certificate and Diploma level courses, which is significantly higher than many other comparable courses. Our standard intake is 18 students, with a minimum of 2 tutors.
• There is equal emphasis on counselling theory, practical counselling skills and personal development work, at both Certificate and Diploma level.

The Core-Self Model

The core theoretical model taught in Network courses is known as the Core-Self model.  It is an integrative person-centred model which was especially developed for Network.

It is fundamentally person-centred in that it draws heavily on the work of Carl Rogers and other person-centred writers, and shares with its humanistic counterpart many of the philosophical assumptions and theoretical hypotheses that shape person-centred theory and practice.  It is also person-centred in that it rests firmly on the belief that ‘the relationship is the therapy’ (Mearns & Thorne 2000) – in other words, that it is the quality of the relationship between counsellor and client that lies at the heart of the effectiveness of the counselling process.

It is, however, also an integrative model.  Firstly, it is integrative in that it seeks to draw together the person-centred and the spiritual in a meaningful synthesis.  It rests firmly on the assumption that all human beings are spiritual beings, and that the spiritual dimension of human nature and experience is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.  It sees human beings are complex living unities of body, mind, soul and spirit in whom the various aspects of being and experiencing are closely interwoven and hence recognises the importance of being willing and able to address this dimension of human experience in the counselling room.

It is also integrative in the sense that it seeks to draw together relevant insights from psychology, counselling theory and philosophy, and from Christianity and the world’s other major religious traditions.

Find out more about the Core-Self Model Framework here.

Our Facilities

Network is situated in Elm Park, Filton, North Bristol (just off the A38, Gloucester Road North).  It is easily accessible by public transport, within easy reach of bus stops and is a 15-minute walk from Filton Abbey Wood Railway Station.  Free parking is also available nearby.

During your training you will have access to our course library and will benefit from a range of other resources and facilities – for example, free Wi-Fi, as well as audio-visual recording facilities, and an internet-based virtual learning environment.  We can also offer some private study space.

Most importantly, Network is able to offer a ready-made counselling placement to students on our Level 5 Advanced Diploma course, meaning you will not have to spend any time or stress finding and contacting placement organisations. Network offers comfortable, modern, well-equipped therapy rooms at no cost to our placement students, available to book online during the daytime or evenings until 8pm.

What does an External Examiner think?

“I warmly commend Network’s counselling courses to students. Over the years I have been the external examiner, I have found an open response to developing the courses at Network. The staff work well with feedback and hold the students central to the learning process. While holding excellent standards of academic and practice in counselling, the tutors also focus well on individual students’ growth in their personal and professional development. This is all done in an open and safe environment that enables students to challenge and be challenged.“

Karl Gregory SR., Network external examiner, RMN, Dip. Counselling, MSc Counselling Research, Dip. Psychotherapy Supervision FNCS.