Wesley Freeman Smith

Put simply, it has been an incredible journey. The Diploma course under leadership of Juanita and Chris was deeply involving, challenging, and enriching. I look back in awe at where I was when I began in comparison with where I am now. Change is not always easy, and change is not always fun; throughout the course I have come up against things which are difficult. But in a reflection of the theory that underpins the whole experience, even at it's most challenging there is an eventual understanding that the direction all along has been toward personal growth and higher awareness. The tutors possess great insight into people - insight that at critical moments on the course has proved invaluable. In my experience person-centred counselling is the opposite of the caricatured 'nodding dog therapist'; it is a deeply relational process that requires the therapist to extend his/her whole being in response to the client, and is far from passive in this pursuit. The real learning for me as been here, in fostering a trust in and rapport with my own visceral, emotional, and organismic experiencing to the service of the therapeutic work. Needless to say I am now on wider journey that I am only just beginning, but LC&CTA has helped lay the foundations - by showing me all I can achieve and facilitating the confidence in me that I can do it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dominic Kemp

I have been at and LC&CTA since last September and I am currently on my Intermediate Person Centred Approach course. This is a great place to study. We're treated as individuals and gain not only a qualification but greater insight into self and others. I look foward to doing the Level 3 course starting in September 2012.

Carol Gordon

As a former student of LC&CTA I have found that the material provided i.e. tutorial information, guidance and support quite dynamic, structured, informative and concise. It has enabled me to recognise and understand in terms of theory and skills the importance of re-evaluating my beliefs, values, morality, sex, religion, race, gender, motives, barriers and my conditionings; which has facilitated me in gaining new insights of self as well as being able to work more effectively and ethically with my clients. My initial thoughts when reflecting back on my experience on the course is just how surprised I am by the depth of information and learning of the theories and concepts covered; and in being congruent, many of these issues would have never occurred to me at all in advance of the course, hence I am very grateful to have been able to grow within the diverse dynamics of LC&CTA. Thank you LC&CTA.

Tony Donohue 2009

Qualified 2009

I would like to say what a wonderful experience my course has been. It has truly encouraged an organic change in my process and subsequently, in my life. I am coming away from my training at LC&CTA a transformed practitioner and much improved man. In an amazing way, things will never be the same again!

Selina Jane Brown

I chose to study at LC&CTA to complete my professional training as a Person-Centred practitioner. For me the journey of in-depth self reflection has been a process that has changed and enhanced my lived experience. During my study one of the most important decisions I made was to opt to work as a Study Supporter; to have the chance to work directly alongside LC&CTA's highly experienced teaching team was not only valuable in terms of my own academic learning, but it enhanced my personal and professional development. However, more importantly for me I have felt humbled to be included in the journeys of self-exploration and discovery that other students went through; whether their journey was one of pure self-development to support an existing professional role, or whether their journey was being taken with the intention of pursuing the qualifications needed to practice as a professional counsellor. My journey of self-development at LC&CTA has been one that has filled my life with many potentials and continues to do so. I have decided to take my teacher training on LC&CTA's new Teacher training Programme that starts in January 2013 so that I may continue to be part of the courageous journeys LC&CTA's students undertake.

Emma Whelan

HPD in Counselling Student

Being a student at LC&CTA is a constantly changing experience - a process, not a destination! It is challenging, tough and engaging. It is authentic and demanding. I have met incredible people; these people and being part of the HPD group has facilitated great learning for me. For me studying at LC&CTA has gone beyond all normal learning parameters - it has been life-altering; it has been, and continues to be, a privilege.