Willows Counselling & Training

12/11/2025

We had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Dwight Turner to Willows on Saturday to facilitate our last CPD workshop in 2025. It was an inspiring, challenging, and affirming session, exploring the intersections of priviledge and otherness.

Our 2026 CPD programme is live on our Eventbrite page, with the final dates due to be added over the next week. Booking can be made here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/willows-counselling-training-30343729600

For more information on Dwight's work, and to purchase his books, please visit his website: https://www.dwightturnercounselling.co.uk/library/books/

05/11/2025

Today is Stress Awareness Day
Prolonged stress can impact our physical and mental health. It's good to be aware of our stress levels and find ways to reduce them. Did you know that doing some form of movement, such as a short walk or standing up and stretching for a few minutes can help dissipate stress hormones and boost endorphins? You could even invite a colleague, friend or family member to join you.

25/10/2025

Some days, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees.
Life can get a little like this, and challenging times or painful experiences can leave us feeling lost, confused, or overwhelmed.

Counselling can offer a boundaried, confidential space to work through some of these difficulties and the impact they are having on your life and wellbeing.

For more information or to self refer in for counselling, please visit our website https://www.willowscounselling.org.uk/counselling/

26/09/2025

Come and join us at Cirencester College Adult

24/09/2025

Counselling students, at Willows or elsewhere..... The latest edition of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society Student Counsellor magazine is out now! 📖

In this edition of Student Counsellor you will find:

- Supporting clients with impostor syndrome
- Our blog
- Keep Counselling Confidential
- Is the practice of counselling at odds with capitalism?
- Why journalling is important
- Counselling pathways
- Listening in
- From therapy rooms to online spaces
- Interesting Articles
- Ambiguous grief and the therapist
- Who are the NCPS? Our ethos
- My counselling journey
- Three precursors to burnout and how to combat them
- Why therapists working with young people need to understand red pill culture

It is a great resource for anyone on their journey to becoming a counsellor, or a great insight for anyone thinking of joining the profession.

We encourage you to have a read an make use of these fabulous resources.

The latest edition of the Student Counsellor magazine is out now! 📖

In this edition of Student Counsellor you will find:

- Supporting clients with impostor syndrome
- Our blog
- Keep Counselling Confidential
- Is the practice of counselling at odds with capitalism?
- Why journalling is important
- Counselling pathways
- Listening in
- From therapy rooms to online spaces
- Interesting Articles
- Ambiguous grief and the therapist
- Who are the NCPS? Our ethos
- My counselling journey
- Three precursors to burnout and how to combat them
- Why therapists working with young people need to understand red pill culture

It is a great resource for anyone on their journey to becoming a counsellor, or a great insight for anyone thinking of joining the profession.

Studying counselling or psychotherapy? This free e-magazine is for you.

https://buff.ly/ou9qPUR

10/09/2025

***dePreventionDay

10th September - World Su***de Prevention Day

If you, or someone you know, is thinking of taking their own life, Samaritans are available 24/7 on 166 123, or you can contact your GP, or - if it's an emergency - you can go to A&E.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or like you’re carrying more than you can manage alone, please know you don’t have to face it by yourself.

Counselling offers a safe and confidential space to talk things through with someone trained to listen: someone who won’t judge, rush you, or try to 'fix' you. Just someone who will really hear you, and help you make sense of what you’re going through.

You can find a qualified therapist near you, or online, via our directory: http://www.search-ncps.com/

***dePreventionDay

21/08/2025

Join us!!

Come and join us in Cirencester as we collaborate with Cirencester College Adult to deliver our well established introduction to counselling and listening skills.
For people considering counselling training, or those working in supportive, helping, or mentoring roles. You’ll learn…

☑️ the skill of ACTIVE LISTENING, and how we often fall into the trap of listening to respond, rather than listening to hear

☑️ the difference between EMPATHY and sympathy, and how empathy can increase connection

☑️ help for the helper. How SELF CARE plays a vital role in our capacity to support others whilst maintaining our own wellbeing

Getting touch and enrol today!

17/08/2025

03/08/2025

We’re delighted to partner with Cirencester College Adult to bring our Introduction to Counselling & Listening Skills course to their adult education programme. 🙌🏼

If you are Gloucestershire based, or Cirencester is a more convenient location for you, head over to their website for more details.
This course will still run from our training centre in Swindon on alternative dates.

We look forward to welcoming new groups ready to enhance their skills, and those seeking to take the first steps in training as a counsellor.

Introduction to Counselling and Listening Skills

Learn some key listening and responding skills and be equipped to become a better listener.

Supporting the emotional needs and wellbeing of others can leave us feeling out of our depth, unsure of what to say or do to be of most help. This course will help increase your confidence for helping others and enhance your ability to listen to others in personal or professional helping roles. It can also serve as a first step for those considering training as a counsellor.

Tue 14-Oct for 5 weeks 18:00 to 20:30 £195 *

link for more info www.cirencester.ac.uk/adult_course/introduction-to-counselling-and-listening-skills/

Willows Counselling & Training

01/08/2025

Not a counsellor, but interested in our profession? We need you!

Can you help us make sure we get our Code of Ethics right for everyone?

We're looking for people who aren't counsellors & psychotherapists to fill in our survey.

📝 The survey takes just 20–25 minutes to complete, with mostly multiple-choice questions and space for longer comments (max 250 words).

📅 Deadline: 20th August

Your voice matters. Let’s shape the future together.

Complete the survey here: https://buff.ly/szCfuc8

23/07/2025

📢 A P P L Y T O D A Y

Are you a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist with a desire to enhance your ability to work safely and effectively with trauma?

Our post graduate Diploma in Trauma (Level 6) offers a specialist in-person training platform from which to learn and work at depth with trauma and it's different presentations. Using Judith Herman's 3-phase trauma model as a framework for the course, delegates will explore big T and little t trauma, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and dissociation.

Our 2024 graduates said:

“The course is outstanding, I have felt so well supported and it has been a huge part of my personal and professional development.”

“Thank you for a wonderful year of learning. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in understanding trauma more deeply.”

We are currently taking applications for our 7th cohort, starting in September.
For more information, and to download an application pack, please visit our website using the link below.

https://www.willowscounselling.org.uk/training/our-courses/postgraduate-diploma-in-trauma-counselling-(level-6)/

This course has advanced specialist course recognition by National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society

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