I have been working towards achieving the BACP accreditation status for many years. It entails a massive amount of work to show the accreditation team your practice meets their higher standard as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner.
I begin the process back in 2014 but didn’t get through it as I actually wasn’t fully ready to attain this for a few reasons at the time, mainly I didn’t believe in myself enough as it was too early into my career.
Over the years I worked hard to keep my client, CPD and supervision hours logged, and focused on my learning, developing in my role professionally and personal growth.
After conversations with my supportive colleagues who encouraged me to begin the process again, I set my mind to this after the Christmas break. January 2020 began in full force.
To give myself the best opportunity to get away from my limited beliefs and inner critic, I participated in everything I could to keep my mind fully focused in my ‘drive system.’ A friend invited me to join her on a 21 day of abundance meditation challenge which focused on creating many opportunities to explore things that have been holding me back from feeling abundance, joy and fulfilment. It blow my mind, how I was able to feel shifts occurring within me.
My son had purchased a gift for me for Christmas called The 6 Minute Diary which I found immensely helpful for my ’’drive system as the focus on positive psychology, habits, self-reflection through acknowledging routines, goals for making improvements, accepting gratitude, positive affirmations and moments of happiness and success felt. @createurbestself #6minutediary.
Each day gave me real purpose and an attention to fully embrace details.
Between January and March, I got my head down and completed the criterions of all the information requested regards my training, CPD, client work through a lengthy case study, reflective practice, ethical awareness and clear coherent ways of working. I had extra supervision sessions to discuss my work, reflective practice, challenges and achievements, it felt great, then Coronavirus hit us. I submitted my application on the first week of April determined to get it sent in and then I awaited the long months of anticipation during lockdown.
I was delighted to receive through an email a month earlier than expected on 8th August my application had been successful and now I am able to describe myself as a BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist MBACP (accred).
For me this was a personal goal I set for myself since qualifying as a counsellor. I encourage anyone who has a dream, a vision, a goal or desire to achieve a personal goal to never give up. There may be twists and turns, a longer path ahead of you with hurdles to overcome but with the right people around you, your cheerleaders or tribe giving you encouragement, you can find courage, strength, determination, and with wisdom you can achieve your goals too.
