Matrix Philosophy


What is meant by Personal Development?

Life can throw up challenges or setbacks that sometimes exhaust our capacities or throw us into a period of confusion, doubt and difficulty. At these times we might look for fresh pathways, new opportunities and ways to develop ourselves in order to re-establish a sense of purpose in our lives.

For such times, people may look at what counselling has to offer, either by having a period of personal focus with a trained counsellor, or by attending personal development workshops.

Our taster days may offer you an opportunity to look at something in your life at a deeper level.

If it is a career change you are interested in and you would like to explore joining a counselling training programme, then a taster day will provide you with the opportunity to find out more.

People who have been interested in the taster courses have said:



What are Counselling Skills, and Skills Training?

The Counselling Skills Training ( The Matrix Foundation year ) is the Cert HE Integrative Counselling Skills(Middlesex University).
It is a practical and theoretical course which will develop your communication skills with others. The training will build on your interest in what makes people tick.

For this training you will need no formal educational qualifications. Selection is by interview plus one reference. Entry is for people aged 23 and over. This one-year course equips you with refined skills in counselling and relating which will be useful in your current occupation, at home or in a support capacity. These skills are a foundation to further training and you may want to continue from this year into our Diploma in Integrative Counselling.



What is a Professional Counselling Training?

Counselling as a professional training normally takes three years of study. Trainings, which have been recognised by professional or academic bodies, will have a theoretical and philosophical base of learning. Students will have extensive practice with peers, then later with practice clients, in a placement setting under appropriate supervision.

The Matrix in-house Diploma and Advanced Diploma and the Middlesex University / Matrix collaborative programmes of Cert HE Integrative Counselling Skills, Dip HE Integrative Counselling and BSc Integrative Counselling, will qualify you for working ethically and professionally in private practice, the helping professions, and the statutory or voluntary sector.

These three years of counselling training provide you with the required amount of taught hours for membership of the PCS of the UKCP, accreditation with the BACP and membership of UKAPC.

All these these professional bodies are well respected in the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy and have codes of practice and regulation of their members.

  • Matrix has built an excellent reputation in East Anglia for its quality training and the care and skill provided by its team of tutors.


Is Counselling Training for You?


Ask yourself the following questions and if the answers are YES, then counselling training may be for you.


  • Do you like people?
  • Do you feel that you have the sensitivity and ability to build a good rapport with people?
  • Are you a good listener?
  • Do you feel able to encourage or help others?
  • Do you want to learn and grow?
  • Are you curious about what makes us who we are and why we are all different?
  • Do you want to find a rewarding career working with people in a meaningful way?
  • Would you feel a sense of reward, pride and pleasure in being part of another person’s growth or success?
  • Do you want to make a positive difference to people’s lives?
  • Do you want to grow emotionally and spiritually as a person?