16 March 2026
Alison Whitwood is a dedicated student counsellor navigating her final year of studies. Throughout 2026, we will follow Alison's journey as she balances academics, practical experience, and personal growth on her path to becoming a professional counsellor. Through her monthly blog, she will share insights, challenges, and valuable lessons, offering a real and relatable perspective on life as a final-year counselling student. Stay tuned for an inspiring year ahead!
Hi everyone, I’m Alison Whitwood and I’m very excited to be the ACA Student Blogger for 2026. I’m currently studying full time for my Graduate Diploma of Counselling at Torrens University. This is my final trimester so all being well, I’ll graduate in May and be eligible for Level 1 membership with ACA. I’m intending to continue on to the Masters, although I’ll do that part time. I’ll be 60 by the time I finish the Masters, but I try not to think too much about that.
My undergraduate degree was in mathematics and computer science and I’ve spent most of my working life in IT. A couple of years ago my contract ended just before Christmas and I decided not to jump straight back into corporate work. I was tired. Really tired. I needed some space to think, and I decided it was time to commit properly to the profession I’d been circling for several years.
Having a secure income had been a safety net. It allowed me to take all sorts of interesting training programs, but I eventually realised I was collecting qualifications in almost everything except formal counselling. I trained in life coaching, health coaching, transpersonal psychotherapy and somatic therapy. None of that, however, made me eligible for ACA membership. For a long time I didn’t want to admit how important that was. Then a potential client asked to work with me through her NDIS plan and I couldn’t say yes. That was when I knew I needed proper, current accreditation and recognised professional registration.
Not just for credibility, although that matters. Also for myself. I respect the structure of this profession and I wanted to meet its standards.
That was when I made the leap and enrolled at Torrens University. This past year I’ve studied full time, using savings from my IT career and gratefully receiving Austudy, even if it doesn’t quite cover the rent. I still work part time in IT.
I don’t think it’s a mid-life crisis. It’s more that I realised if I didn’t do this now, I probably never would. I don’t want to retire but I do want my work to have more meaning and satisfaction.
It’s been 40 years since I was an undergraduate and I’m genuinely surprised at how much I’m enjoying studying. One thing I didn’t expect is how much I like writing assignments. I like clear criteria. I like knowing where I stand.
My longer term aim is private practice. Something sustainable. Something I can see myself doing well into the later years of my working life.
As this graduate diploma comes to an end, I feel grateful for the time and space to be a student. I’m looking forward to sharing honestly over this coming year about what it’s like to transition from student to professional counsellor.