Welcome

Established for over 17 years, the Sherwood Institute is a non-profit making educational organisation specialising in training counsellors and psychotherapists to the highest levels of professional and academic qualification presently available.  Our graduates can achieve both accreditation and registration with the top national counselling/psychotherapy organisations in the UK and a Masters degree with the University of Birmingham.

Our mission is to provide a wide range of courses all of which combine academic rigour with high standards for clinical practice.  We are committed to high quality training in terms of professional and ethical standards, research and innovation; and to providing opportunities for learning that will enable both our students and our graduates to further their personal growth, professional development and healthy engagement with society, allowing them to play a significant role in enhancing the lives of their clients.

All our courses are part-time, with a maximum of 26 training days each year, and are designed to be managed alongside current occupations.

This is a guide to our full range of professional training programmes, which include:

• Counselling Skills Course

• Foundation Access Certificate

• Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Humanistic Relational model)

• MA in Humanistic Person-Centred Psychotherapy

• MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy

• MA in Integrative Psychotherapy

• Post-qualification conversion option leading to Masters degree

• Diploma in Supervision

All MA courses are accredited by The University of Birmingham, and by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and/or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) .

Each of our training courses is separate and distinct. But at the Sherwood Institute we actively encourage open enquiry and a willingness to look across and beyond theoretical boundaries. We like to see what can be learned from different ways of thinking about counselling and psychotherapy. In our opinion no single theoretical approach has a monopoly on truth.

In addition we offer a variety of individual workshops and seminars with top international trainers, providing further opportunities for professional development for trainees, experienced practitioners, supervisors and trainers. These are advertised at various points during the year and can be accessed through this web site.

Our courses are open to all who meet the initial criteria. We also operate an APL system where people with suitable prior training may start the course part-way through. In the current climate of under representation of minority groups in counselling and psychotherapy we particularly welcome applicants from these groups. The Sherwood Institute operates an equal opportunities policy and we aim to promote an environment of equality and awareness of minority issues.

Our premises are suitable for people with mobility difficulties including those needing to use wheelchairs.

We will be pleased to answer any further questions you may have after reading this guide. Visit our website and/or feel welcome to phone us, to talk to our tutors or programme leaders – we are happy to discuss your individual needs and interests.