Part time study leads to counselling role for Kevin

Kevin Deery, 59, from Belfast, left school with little in the way of education.   But meeting the right people at the right time gave him the support he needed to turn his life around and land his dream role as a counsellor – happy to be able to help others who may have found themselves in similar situations to his own.

Kevin said, “I joined the Merchant Navy even before I left school.   After that I worked as a chef in the catering industry.  I had to leave that as I suffered from a serious addiction to alcohol and substance misuse and spent most of my adult life being admitted to and drifting through mental institutions and being incarcerated.

“At the age of 45, I was fortunate enough to have been admitted to Springwell House, a rehabilitation centre for drug and alcohol misuse. One of the conditions of their programme was that you had to enrol in their education programme, which I did. Bearing in mind at this stage I could barely write my own name, so this was a big challenge.

He added, “Because of the support and the safe environment that was offered to me, I chose to take this on with all the effort I could afford. That start to my education and rehabilitation helped me in turn to choose the route to counselling - to try to help others in a similar position.

“I was fortunate to work voluntary at Ballynahinch Counselling Service in my placement as an Integrative Counsellor. I enjoyed the voluntary role and being in a position to empower others to help themselves, so I decided that I was ready for a change and enrolled on the Foundation Degree in Counselling at SERC. I was terrified - but the help and support I received from my tutors at SERC and Ulster University enabled and empowered me to achieve my foundation degree and accreditation.”

Speaking about returning to education, Kevin comments, “My time at SERC definitely prepared me for my role as a counsellor. I found the standard of tuition to be outstanding and easy to understand. The course was carefully planned and well structured, so I was able to fit the study around my own circumstances. In addition, there was great empathy and support from the lecturing team. If it wasn’t for this, I would not have been able to achieve my goals as an adult returner.

He added, “I found the experience at College to be very welcoming and educational. I enjoyed meeting new people and the in-depth personal development that came with returning to study.  

“I know I am a better counsellor because of the course which gave me the chance to look at any underlying unresolved personal issues I hadn’t dealt with and bring them to personal therapy. It helped me to become my own internal supervisor.”

Kevin is continuing to work voluntary and is between counselling roles.   He said, “I would say that if you were looking for a rewarding career there is no better feeling than being in the very privileged position of being able to help another human being.”

To anyone thinking of starting a part-time course, Kevin said, “I would definitely recommend SERC to anyone wishing to further their higher education.”

Andrea Woodrow, Associate Lecturer for Counselling at SERC said, “We are delighted that following Kevin's successful completion of the Foundation Degree in Counselling, Kevin has gained British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) accreditation from the professional accrediting body. This requires 450 hours of practice, of which students gain 100 hours through their course placement; submission of case study work and additional pieces reflecting on practice. It is a great credit to Kevin that he has gained this professional accreditation.”

Find out about Counselling courses at SERC.

Come along to our Higher Education Open Day 6.00 - 8.30pm, on Campus, Thursday 10 June to find out how you can be part of the next generation of professionals at SERC.