Placement Information
Client Caseload
Placement students are expected to take on three or four clients, although you may if you wish start with two, and build up to seeing more as you get more experienced. We also expect you to take on at least one online or telephone client, as many of our clients prefer to work in this way, and/or cannot physically make it to our offices in Chippenham.
Placement Schedule and Time Slots
We will need you to choose a day and time slot for your placement so that we can use our available space, and your time, as efficiently as possible. Time slots tend to be for 3–4 hours, so you need to plan your placement day timings accordingly. The office and counselling rooms are open from 9:00 – 20:00, Monday to Friday. Online and telephone sessions can be arranged around these times, at the discretion of therapist and client, to be signed off by the clinical manager.
Optional Placement Activities
In addition to gaining your course-required client hours, we will offer the following (optional) activities as part of your placement:
- Minimum two sessions of free CPD
- Access to other CPD programmes run by Olive Branch (these may be charged for)
- Chance to train in, and deliver assessments (once you have done 50+ client hours)
- Regular, online peer-to-peer meeting sessions
- Regular meeting with clinical managers to discuss progress, and any development needs
Supervision
Placement students must attend a minimum of 1.5 hours of supervision per calendar month.
Supervision must take place at a minimum ratio of one (1) hour of supervision for every eight (8) hours of client work, in accordance with the guidelines of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
The format may consist of one-to-one sessions, group sessions, or a combination of both. Supervision must be with an approved facilitator, and we can provide you with a list of our recommended supervisors.
Supervision arrangements and payment must be made directly between the supervisor and the student. Olive Branch do not contribute to supervision payments.
