Beverly Cole MA, MPhil

• Programme Director, Embedded Helping Skills.
• Lecturer
• Module leader
• MA Supervisor
• Personal Tutor
• Community Counselling Centre Project Leader

I have been part of the Counselling team within the School of Psychology and Counselling at Swansea Metropolitan University/UWTSD Swansea since 2010, and contribute to teaching and supervision on undergraduate and postgraduate courses within the School.    

The counselling practice aspect of my career includes working as a primary care counsellor, Employee Assistance Programme counselling, supervising volunteer counsellors for a cancer charity. I also have a counselling/supervision private practice. I am UKRP registered and an accredited member of the BACP.

In addition to my counselling practice I also work as a consultant on organisational and personal development, including employee motivation and well being and organisational development and change.

MBACP [Accred]

As Programme Director for the Embedded Helping Skills programme I am involved with all aspects of course organisation, administration, content and delivery. 

I am module leader and lecturer for the “Introduction to Study, Research and Employability” degree module and also contribute to teaching and placement administration for the Post Graduate/MA Diploma in Counselling. I am currently also supervising two MA students.  

Recent research projects include MPhil research into Self Esteem and Special Needs and MA research which explored the concept of counselling supervision. My current PhD research is based upon the organisation and role of student ‘placements’ in relation to counselling training and employability.

I am also interested in organisational and personal development and the dissemination of research findings beyond academic circle.

I have over 10 years experience of counselling practice and prior to this many years experience in management, employment philosophy and human resources.

Initial research in 2010/2011 into the feasibility of developing a Community Counselling Centre so that students could undertake their counselling practice hours needed for qualification, whilst providing a free counselling service to the community, resulted in the opening of the Centre in March, 2012. This has grown from strength to strength and currently as we approach the two year anniversary of the Centre, provides placement opportunities for four students, two early career counsellors who completed their training here and one experienced volunteer counsellor.

I have also designed and delivered successful courses on “Embedded Helping Skills” to Teaching Assistants and external groups of professionals, for example, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Social Workers and Mental Health Support Workers .

Edworthy, A. and Cole, B. J. 2012. ‘Cycles of Self  Esteem’.  Social Care and Neurodisability, Volume 3. Number 1, 2012. 27 – 36.