The  National College looks to recruit from mature individuals, suitably qualified and motivated. Some experience of the world, and its ways, may usefully preface almost any course of higher education and subsequent career or career change. Such maturity may help ensure greater objectivity in choices with, consequently, more fulfilling outcomes.

Because  most of us are, at best, of modest means (which circumstance may,  itself, cause or aggravate psychological distress), we need access to a popular therapy. This therapy should be non-dogmatic, comparatively short in duration, but with a long history of successful application. Its practitioners should be "pups" (pragmatic, utilitarian psychotherapists) trained to the high standards which typify graduates of the National College.

This eclectic cum integrative approach to training is prompted by practical and theoretical considerations indicative of the likely direction of psychotherapy in days to come. Whilst respecting  all legitimate psychotherapeutic models, the National College believes  that to adopt a single model does present problems. When central concepts  of any particular model are challenged, even by "insiders",  a dilemma is faced by its adherents. They may choose to disregard  the challenge, or adapt to the new thinking. Either route is open  to criticism, and likely to lead to sterile in-fighting. A further possible weakness of the single model approach is that it requires clients to be existing believers in, or effective converts to, that model. There would be little point in a client who does not believe  in the concept of the "unconscious" consulting a psychotherapist  whose entire practice is built upon that concept; and the converse  would apply. In either instance, an approach to a National College  graduate should result in a flexible response, where the client's  view is paramount, not the therapist's. Given the constraints  of time and money within the National Health Service, it is not surprising  that the eclectic model is amongst those finding favour, "...It is informed by more than one theoretical framework...and constitutes  a large proportion of the work undertaken in the NHS..." [NHS   Executive (1996) NHS Psychotherapy Services in England, Summary of Strategic Policy, Department of Health]

Be Selective

Before engaging in any programme of training you owe it to yourself to be selective in deciding to whom that training is to be entrusted. Even if you propose to study only for general interest, your time, money  and effort should not be ill-spent. Where the intended outcome is  to obtain professional status within a profession serving the general  public in ever greater numbers, your entire future career may well  depend upon this one decision.  

Quality

Whilst it is hoped that our arguments will influence your decision in favour of the National College, our  position, of course, is not disinterested. However, you need not rely  solely upon our assessment of the College's qualities. Our office  is happy to supply examples of the kind of comments frequently made  about us in specialist publications and the popular media.

Standards

Most important of all, perhaps, are the views of  the National College expressed by non-partisan, but specialist authorities.  The fact of our British Accreditation Council for Independent Further  and Higher Education accreditation (see External Accreditation page ), and the recognition of our training standards  by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, speak for themselves;  they should confirm that you need not rely only on our assurance of  the quality of the service we offer to prospective therapists and, through them, the public at large.