CLIENT ASSESSMENT AND INITIAL CONSULTATION TRAINING

This is a two-day training course, which will take place in-person at Basingstoke Counselling Service.

Whether you are an experienced counsellor, or just starting out in private practice, this course provides a deep understanding of the assessment process.

Your clients’ decision to seek therapy can be a momentous one, which makes that initial meeting so important. Assessment can be continuous and at times complex, requiring critical awareness and sensitivity, sound assessment skills are therefore crucial to effective clinical practice.

This two-day course has been designed to give sufficient time and focus to developing an understanding of the assessment process and it’s execution. Practitioners will examine the theory and practice of this process, developing skills in initial consultation techniques and report writing.

The course is structured to be collaborative.

Day One: You will gain an understanding of what assessment is and indeed what it is not. You will explore a range of assessment skills including what to look out for, and how to structure the initial consultation.

• We explore the medical model in contrast to the analytic model with consideration for how they differ and why. The emphasis within the client assessment is achieved through awareness of the relational process.
• We consider the therapeutic model and how we consider different modalities appropriate fit for clients.
• We will share ideas around what we consider are the elements of assessment. You will be invited to walk through what we imagine is a good assessment structure and reflect on what information you collect, and why, at the start of the counselling process.
• We will spend time reviewing why and how we assess, including the techniques and skills required as well as what information you need to capture. We will look at the process of carrying out these tasks and how you will hold this information.

All of these processes will be examined through the lens of the unconscious. We will be considering how you will manage risk and what needs to be considered when working in private practice. There will be time to consider what framework you will put in place in order to provide holding and containment for yourself as a practitioner including thinking about signposting prospective clients when you may not be the right fit for them.

Day Two: During the course of the second day of training there will be an opportunity to attend a real initial consultation supervision along with carrying out some practice examples.

Course Leaders: Maggie Sauven MBACP (Accred) and Charlotte Fogelquist MBACP

Maggie is an accredited psychodynamic counsellor and supervisor as well as a Group Work Practitioner. Maggie is also an experienced and engaging trainer and IC and Assessment practitioner. She has a keen interest in the interpersonal dynamics of the individual and the group.

Charlotte has a background in Primary Education and working with neurodiversity. After doing a Psychology degree at Birkbeck University London, she decided to change careers and went on to do a Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy for adults. It was during this time Charlotte began working as a volunteer counsellor at Basingstoke Counselling Service and soon became interested in the assessment process at the service. After qualifying and thinking about private practice, Charlotte completed the BCS Assessment course in 2022. This led to a role as an Assessment Counsellor at BCS, which she now combines with her private practice.

Dates: Saturday 8th February & Saturday 1st March 2025

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Cost: £215 Standard price (Early Bird Price £195 available until 6th December 2024)

This course has, in the past, proved very popular therefore to avoid disappointment we recommend early booking.

Cancellation Policy

If government guidelines dictate the course can no longer take place face to face the course will take place interactively online. In this instance no refund will be given.

In the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances arise and BCS has to cancel this course a full refund will be given. In the event of cancellation by the participant, BCS reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee as indicated by the table below. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing, with changes becoming effective on the date written confirmation is received.

Please ensure you meet the entry requirements prior to booking your place. If candidates do not meet the entry requirements they will be unable to attend the course and their withdrawal will be treated as a cancellation and subject to the above cancellation policy.