When Kevin first walked through the doors of South Bank Colleges, he had no idea just how much the experience would reshape his understanding of people—and of himself. Over the course of his studies, from Level 2 through to the completion of his Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Kevin has grown not only in professional skill but in emotional depth, resilience, and self-awareness.
His story is more than just a student’s testimonial. It’s a reminder that counselling is as much a journey inward as it is a career path outward.
Discovering the Power of Empathy
Counselling is often misunderstood. It's not about fixing people, Kevin explains in his video interview. It's about creating the conditions where someone can fix themselves. “You’re not doing the work for them—you’re giving them space to discover their own path forward.”
At South Bank Colleges, the counselling programme emphasises person-centred and psychodynamic approaches. These models help students like Kevin learn how to truly listen, how to step into another person’s experience, and how to recognise the emotional patterns that may be holding a client back.
“It’s a caring approach,” Kevin says. “It empowers the client to go at their own pace, but also to build the tools they need to support themselves.”
From Theory to Practice: Real-World Placements
The college supports its students with guidance on finding placements, and Kevin made full use of this opportunity. He chose to work in two deeply emotional and challenging areas: addiction support and bereavement counselling.
Through placements in an addiction service and a bereavement organisation called Grief Matters, Kevin saw firsthand how powerful the work of a counsellor can be. Many of the clients he worked with had reached breaking points in their lives—battling trauma, loss, and dependency. Helping them access healthier coping mechanisms and build stronger relationships gave Kevin a deeper appreciation for the craft and commitment counselling requires.
“You’re helping people get through really tough situations. And if you’re doing it right, you’re helping them live better lives.”
Lessons in Resilience
Training as a counsellor is not for the faint-hearted. One of the requirements of the course is that all students undergo personal therapy themselves.
“At first, I didn’t fully understand why,” Kevin admits. “But it makes sense. You’re going to hear difficult stories—things that might trigger unresolved issues in yourself. Personal therapy helps you deal with that. It keeps you grounded.”
Supervision and personal development are core elements of the programme. Students are taught how to hold emotional space for others without absorbing that emotional weight themselves. Kevin now feels confident in his ability to manage that emotional labour: “I can sit with someone in their pain without taking it home with me.”
Wisdom from the Classroom
Kevin is quick to credit the teaching team at South Bank Colleges for their impact on his learning. “Every single lecturer I’ve had has been knowledgeable, supportive, and wise in their own way.”
He speaks with warmth about a piece of advice given by his very first tutor: “It’s not the story that matters most—it’s the feelings underneath.” That insight, Kevin says, has stayed with him throughout his training. “Even if you can’t relate to a client’s specific story, you can always relate to the emotion they’re expressing. That’s where the connection happens.”
Group discussions and classroom dynamics are also treated with care. As Kevin notes, counselling issues often come in layers. “The lecturers know that. They give you the space to unpack things slowly, just like you’d do with a client.”
Ready for the Next Step
Now qualified and looking toward a future career in counselling, Kevin feels equipped to work in a range of settings—from private practice to community health to education. His journey is far from over, but the foundation laid at South Bank Colleges has been transformative.
“To help someone get back on their feet after trauma… to give them tools instead of judgement… it’s not just a job. It’s a calling.”
Watch Kevin’s full video interview and learn more about the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling on our course page:
Whether you're starting from scratch or building on previous experience, South Bank Colleges offers a compassionate, practical pathway into one of today’s most meaningful professions.
