The Confident Counsellor Development Programme
Monthly face-to-face reflective practice for counsellors in the early stages of their career
Qualifying as a counsellor is a huge achievement. You’ve worked hard for this moment and are right to feel proud of yourself. But moving from training into private practice can bring a whole new set of questions.
You might find yourself ruminating on a client long after a session has finished. You could be navigating boundaries, endings, difficult conversations, your self-confidence as a practitioner, or simply trying to work out what kind of counsellor you want to become. What’s a ‘niche’ anyway, and do you even need one?
Sometimes it helps to have other counsellors around you who understand.
The Confident Counsellor Development Programme is a small, facilitated six-month programme, offering a confidential space to reflect on your developing practice, learn from others and build connection with fellow counsellors.
Who is it for?
The group is for counsellors who are finishing their training, newly qualified, or in the early stages of their professional practice - particularly those within their first few years' post-qualification.
It could be really useful if you are:
Starting or developing a private practice
Newly qualified and finding the transition from training into private practice challenging
Working alone and missing the sense of community that your training provided
Looking for opportunities to reflect with other counsellors
Developing your professional identity and confidence
Interested in learning from different therapeutic approaches and perspectives
What happens in the group?
Each three-hour session will have structure, but with some flexibility, to allow the needs of the group to shape the conversation.
Sessions will include:
A check-in and reflection on your practice
Bringing a client issue or professional dilemma for group reflection
Exploring aspects of the therapeutic relationship
Discussion of boundaries and professional development
Sharing experiences, resources and ideas
The emphasis is on curiosity rather than having the right answers. You don't need to arrive with something prepared every month; there’s no ‘homework’ and no expectations that you disclose anything you're uncomfortable sharing.
A genuinely small group
There will be a maximum of four to five participants.
Keeping the group small is intentional. It allows everyone to have a voice, get to know one another and develop a sense of trust and continuity.
The intention is to create something that feels more like a supportive professional community than a course or large workshop. Hopefully this can help you to develop or grow your own support and referral network.
About Me - the facilitator
I’m Fiona, a practising psychotherapist with a previous professional background in staff development and training, mentoring and coaching. I have a Level 7 Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice for Liverpool John Moores University.
I am a supervisor in training, and I also facilitate an online peer supervision and support group for neurodivergent practitioners. My approach to facilitation is warm, collaborative and curious, with an emphasis on creating space for practitioners to think and explore, rather than telling them what they should do.
At the end of the programme, there may be the option to join a monthly in-person peer supervision group.
Important information
This is a facilitated reflective-practice and professional development programme. While there will be an element of peer supervision support in each monthly session, it cannot replace supervision required by your membership body. You are responsible for maintaining your own individual supervision.
Confidentiality, boundaries and expectations for participation will be discussed and agreed as a group, at the beginning of the programme.
Practical details
Where: Face-to-face in Hoylake, two minutes' walk from Hoylake station. My counselling space is on the first floor of The Quadrant.
When: One Saturday morning each month from 16th January 2027
Duration: 3 hours
Group size: Maximum 4 participants
Cost: £40 per person per session
An initial three-month commitment is requested so that the group has an opportunity to develop continuity and trust.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more about the programme, please get in touch with me HERE
