Mo Lishmoma

As a white woman, when Chris Brown spoke to a racially mixed group of students about her inherited racism, it was so healing for me to hear it openly acknowledged. It means a lot ... and also it means the white students don't just switch off defensively (as they might if a black person was speaking about racism). I've grown personally from taking the HPD course. I can communicate more honestly and openly and I can feel and express my anger much more appropriately. The growth continues. I'm also looking at my attitude towards and relationships with men and I am looking at my blackness, my whiteness and other things and issues raised by the course. Because I'm mixed race there's so much about race, identity, anger ... so much 'stuff' to explore. I just wanted to tell you and share my appreciation of the course. And for Chris' braveness in flagging up the issue of my whiteness (though I'm not visibly white it's still part of who and how I am). I fly the LC&CTA flag regarding diversity, multiculturalism and the mixedness of the course all over the place. I also share with people that it's not an easy process to study at LC&CTA and that Chris is charismatic and volatile woman!!! But I also want to share my love and appreciation for all that I experienced, the good the bad and the fucking horrible; in all its dimensions!!! Another thank-you and blessings is due to Linda Hafez as a Supervisor she is good at what she does and is a very good woman.

Angela Sweeney 2008

HPD in Counselling, Qualified 2008

What is it like to be trained by LC&CTA? In a nutshell, it is CHALLENGING! From day one I have been challenged to examine myself - to unpeel layer upon layer to reveal who I am, to shed labels, to shed prejudices, to look at myself and others differently. There is no place to hide at LC&CTA! For me this has been an extremely challenging process of becoming and a real journey toward self-acceptance. LC&CTA tutors are truly committed to turning out counsellors who reflect the diversity of the world in which we live. This is a huge strength and I am immensely grateful for my group - a wonderful bunch of colleagues from all walks of life who challenge and support me week to week.

Paul Cilia La Corte

HPD Class of 2012

My experience at LC&CTA was of a growing self awareness that has allowed me understand myself and others much more clearly and profoundly. I was able to distinguish attitudes that I had unconsciously picked up from others that prevented me from expressing what I truly felt. As a consequence I feel increasingly in tune within myself and responsive to the world around me.

Lorraine Marie Forrest

HPD Class of 2012

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, I have embarked on a new life and will never be the same again! Over the past four years as a student at LC&CTA I have learnt so much about myself and other people. The change in how I perceive myself and relate with other people has been noted by colleagues, friends and family. I am far more self-aware now, with healthier self-esteem, personal boundaries and a stronger internal locus of evaluation. It wasn’t easy though; some self-revelations were very painful. Although committed to qualifying as a person-centred counsellor, I was primarily focused on my personal growth and found that the experiential learning at LC&CTA in research and community groups was invaluable!

Lyla Smith-Abbas 2009

Qualified 2009

I was introduced to person centred theory by a work college who was undertaking LC&CTA’s HPD course, he swore it would change my perspective on life … and it has. I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for! It has NOT been easy to explore who I am - and why I am the way that I am; facing myself and exposing myself to others (metaphorically speaking!) has been hard. I have definitely been challenged and my growth has exceeded my expectations; I have grown much closer to understanding, knowing and really loving myself. The support of the LC&CTA Tutor Team has been invaluable - I have felt fully held throughout this course and felt safe knowing there was always someone willing to listen when things got tough. I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions I’ve laughed, cried, felt alone, felt love and expressed great anger! However, this has helped me develop an inner strength and gain an awareness of myself that I didn’t have before. I’ve also had the great privilege of working with a group of amazing peers who have made my journey incredibly special and unforgettable.

Martin Williams 2008

Schools Counsellor Qualified 2008

Being a student at LC&CTA has been a journey of self deliverance and empowerment. I found the course very challenging in a positive way. The guidance which is given by the tutors is excellent; if you prepared for the challenge you will have found the course uplifting.

Jacqui Neil 2009

Qualified 2009

I’m coming to the end of my studies vastly different from how I begun. I’ve acquired skills and knowledge which have equipped me for being a good (moving towards excellent) counsellor. I say this whilst being aware that there is still a lot for me to learn in terms of the profession and learning about myself. Studying at LC&CTA has been a rollercoaster ride for my emotions and for me as a person. I have been stretched in ways that I could not have imagined and parts of the journey have been hard, challenging and painful. However the things I have achieved from each experience resulted in euphoria, I do not regret, in fact I am grateful that I decided to study here. The tutors have been a very important part of the whole process. Both Juanita and Chris and their team have facilitated my learning in both practical and personal ways; supporting me when I’ve needed it and not allowing me to get away with the things that in the longer term would hinder my professional and personal development. When I started studying it might as well have been French the tutors were speaking; I did not understand a thing and never thought I would. I did not believe that I could actually counsel a cat, let alone another person in need. Now everything makes sense, I’ve learnt a new language and I am counselling effectively with positive results for my clients.

Winsome Pryce

HPD in Counselling Student

I didn't quite know what I was letting myself in for when I decided to study again and become a mature student at LC&CTA, I was fearful and lacked confidence. I soon learned that my fears were something of the past and my Course Tutors were helping me to develop my confidence. I have had to work hard at putting in what I want to get out of the Course and this has definitely not been an easy thing for me to do, in fact, quite difficult at times. LC&CTA have always encouraged me to do more than I thought I was capable of in both my personal and professional life and supported me in times of difficulty.

Carey Buchannan 2010

Qualified 2010

I found that at LC&CTA I was helped to experience the person-centred approach in practice and not kust in theory through the way that the tutors interacted with me. I was also encouraged to explore my potential to relate to others fully. I am just at the beginning of my journey as a qualified counsellor but my experience at LC&CTA has helped to give me confidence to pursue my dreams more and more in the future.

Debra Tweed

Qualified Counsellor

I have attended a number of Continued Professional Development Workshops held by LC&CTA. My experience has been beneficial and rewarding in terms of being provided on-going opportunities to further develop my skills and professional awareness. The background experience of LC&CTA tutoring staff provides a constructive learning environment which is supportive and encourages a sense of freedom to explore a range of personal and professional development issues that are stimulating and informative.