Career pathways
Student conference 2025

Read presentation information for the 'Career pathways' strand, and view presenter biographies.

A Using BACP research to bridge the gaps through your training, practice and career progression

12.10pm to 12.55pm

It’s not often that research is a student’s favourite part of training and it can sometimes be difficult to see the relevance or usefulness of research and research skills when developing your skills in the room with your clients. This session aims to give you a better understanding of the potential value of research and particularly about how BACP’s range of research activities can support and enhance your learning through training and beyond by

Introducing you to the different strands of work undertaken by the BACP research team
Highlighting the vital contribution that up-to-date research can make to your practice with clients
Explaining how to access valuable resources to help you find, better understand and evaluate research
Offering resources to support those of you who will be undertaking research
Considering the role of research skills throughout a counsellor’s career path beyond qualification

This presentation will be available in person and online.

Clare Symons undertook her first research study as a counselling trainee. As well as being a hugely enjoyable experience, undertaking the research helped inform her practice. Clare became a trainer on a BACP-accredited Masters course where she worked with many trainees as they developed as practitioners, supporting them to integrate learning from research into their practice, as well as supervising their own research studies.

Clare particularly enjoyed helping students discover a passion and aptitude for research that they perhaps had no idea they would have, rather than simply getting through the dissertation process as a ‘necessary evil’. Her doctoral research cemented her interest and belief in the value of research to have a positive impact on practice and to raise standards, and this was a huge motivator when Clare applied for her current role as Head of Research at BACP where she has now worked for 8 years.

Employment opportunities in workplace counselling & psychotherapy.

12.10pm to 12.55pm

The session will aim to provide delegates with an understanding of some of the potential employment opportunities in the workplace arena. With a focus on the current market and future emerging trends. We will signpost to relevant support resources and highlight the possibility to draw on practitioners own work or industry experience in building their portfolio.

This presentation is available in person and online.

Becoming and being a therapist with Children and Young people

12.10pm to 12.55pm

This session will be sharing Sanjay's journey and routes to becoming a qualified therapist from originally studying in psychology. They will share some insight into the pathways of becoming a therapist.

Sanjay will talk about the routes for working with CYP, about their work with CYP within the specialist provision school they work in and how it differs from working with adults. Sanjay will share insight to what therapy looks like in a school setting and the challenges of balancing the needs for therapy to work effectively with the processes of an education setting.

This presentation is available in person only.

Working in different Healthcare professions

12.10pm to 12.55pm

This session explores the diverse healthcare environments within the four nations of the United Kingdom—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Students will gain insights into how healthcare systems differ across these regions. Students will also explore the challenges and opportunities that arise from working in different settings, such as urban versus rural environments, and how cultural and regional factors influence healthcare practice.

This presentation is available in person only.

Satinder Panesar is an Integrative Psychotherapist who has worked in the Third Sector, NHS GG&C and private sector over the past 25+ year Satinder has experience in both working in the frontline in schools and community venues and also has held positions in managing services as Clinical Lead. She currently works with young people and adults both in the UK, Europe and Internationally.

Satinder is also an Individual /Group Clinical Supervisor, Trainer, Executive Coach & Reflective Practice Facilitator

Satinder’s current portfolio of clients and group’s range from working with CEO’’s, Mental Health Professionals , Students, Nurses, Consultants, Lawyers, Teachers, Individuals from Emergency Services, Film Producers, Dancers, Artistic Team Members across Scotland. This list is not extensive.

As a Punjabi speaking Psychotherapist she is able to work effectively with individuals taking into consideration some of the issues that are faced in small communities working in particular with Trauma, Tradition & Culture.

Additionally, Satinder is a member the BACP Healthcare Executive Division for the four nations - the aim is to promote and support excellence in healthcare with regards to psychotherapy & supervision.

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