Paul Matthew

Studying at Abertay was a wonderful experience. Navigating a full-time job, studying and placement is challenging and it is a challenging course but the rewards are great if you work hard and utilise the support around you. The lecturers, student support staff and my fellow students ensured that even during the most challenging moments, I was supported as a student and (perhaps more importantly) a trainee counsellor. I made so many friends on the course at Abertay and I still speak to them daily to this day. Without the friends, knowledge and contacts I made at Abertay I don't think I would be anywhere near as successful as I have been after graduating. 

After graduating I volunteered for a bit, I did some paid work for Insight Counselling service where I had done a placement, worked in a student support role a few hours a week with Randstad and I began to set up my private practice service "Harmony". 

A few years on from then, Harmony has grown from strength to strength allowing me to leave Randstad and Insight two years ago. For the past two years I have also been doing two days a week as a counsellor with Abertay Student Services. I am now an Accredited counsellor and qualified supervisor, I work full time with clients and counsellor supervisees. I feel very blessed for having the opportunities I have had as a result of studying at Abertay and would recommend the course to anyone who is interested in pursuing Counselling as a profession.

Over the next few years, I’d like to work more as a counselling supervisor and teach and train more. I can see Harmony growing more too. I’d eventually also like to get more involved with shaping the counselling world by joining some committees or BACP groups.

View the MSc Counselling course