Clare Brown

It had been my desire for a long time to study counselling. Being a natural empath and someone who knows how it feels to struggle at times, I felt it was the right time, once my youngest child had started school, to embark on my dream. I also felt I had missed opportunities when I was younger, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could be successful in higher education.

Academic study skills, active listening, and self-development. These are the three top skills I feel I have developed.

My favourite thing about my degree so far is understanding how mental illness can impact anyone, from any social class. Particularly how social and political influences can dictate outcomes.

My favourite thing about Edge Hill University is how approachable and down to earth my lecturers are. None of them make me feel inferior and are always so supportive. I can also have a laugh with them, and they always take the time to explain things to me that I do not understand, I am already dreading leaving university as I will miss them a lot.

I achieved an excellence scholarship through my lecturers contacting me to say they feel I should apply. I had also done voluntary work for Sefton council. Winning this scholarship has given me more self confidence and self-belief, this is something I tend to lack, and it has shown to my three children the importance of challenging work and how challenging work pays off.

At Sefton council, I worked alongside the adverse childhood experiences team. I helped to deliver food parcels to families in need, help set up family days for parents and children who are dealing with trauma, help facilitate group activities and help facilitate adverse childhood experiences group sessions for children who are struggling at school or home.

I was asked by management to create a communication tool for therapists to use whilst building a therapeutic relationship with young children. I designed this tool with great consideration, focusing on how it could help the child to feel safe, heard and understood by the therapist. My design was a success, and was told it would be used across the borough of Sefton.

My advice would be to investigate exactly what you want to do after you graduate. I am glad I chose this course for the taster of each modality, and I hope to pursue a career as a high intensity therapist with Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) when I graduate.