1. Think carefully about before comming to a particular type of therapy training. There is such a confusing range on show. It's crucial to think not only about the type of counselling - humanistic, cognitive, psychodynamic or existential - and whether it convinces you. You also need to think about whether you have the right type of personality and skills to practice that type of therapy. For example, to be a good CBT therapist you need to be able to work in a structured way. Working in an existential way you need to be more comfortable working in a less structured way. It's usually a good idea to do tasters in a variety of therapies before commiting to a longer training.

2. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions before signing up for a diploma. Counselling training centres sometimes put a lot of barriers in your way, which may make you glad to be accepted anywhere.Don't! You are buying their course, it's an expenssive purchase, so be as fussy as you would be if you were buying something else.

3.Ask "who will be teaching me?". Some centres have very famous people on the staff - but that won't help you  much if they aren't teaching you! Make sure you get to see at least the main tutor on your course , and that you like their style and approach.

4. Ask to speak to people who have graduated from the course, or at least have e-mail access to them. Have they been satisfied or not?

5. Make sure that the course leads to the sort of qualifications that you need. Will you be able to practice after doing this course or need further training. Of course, if it is a weekend workshop, it would be unrealistic to expect it to lead to practice, but if it is a 2 year diploma then its very important that you will gain the right credentials.

6.If the course requires you do a placement, make sure that you have the time to do such a placement and also that the institution provides the right support in helping you find it. I've known courses which have included addresses of placements where it turns out the placements have no interest whatseover in taking on trainees. This can be very discouraging.

7. Think of your counselling and psychotherapy training as a great opportunity for your own personal development.  Look upon it as the first step on a journey to the next phase of your life. You can't be quite sure where it will lead, but you are determined to make the most of it.

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