Student Counsellor Placement

We are pleased to announce that we now have placements available to counselling and psychotherapy students in Bristol and Taunton starting in September 2024!

Volunteers are an integral part of the services we offer victim-survivors of rape and sexual abuse, so thank you for considering SARSAS for your potential counselling / art therapy placement.

“SARSAS has been a great holding environment for a placement, supporting me to work with a range of clients. The team are always welcoming and interested in my training/progression and there’s such a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the organisation with people always happy to share it. I’d definitely recommend!”

Current Placement Student

As an organisation we are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from everyone. You must have a professional and empathic approach to your work, as well as passion and enthusiasm for working with SARSAS clients. 

What we can offer you:

• 4 in person counselling / psychotherapy clients a week 
• Up to 2 hours of supervision a month (depending on course requirements) 
• Monthly line management with the Counselling Manager / Counselling Coordinator 
• Mandatory training on safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR, Pre-Trial Therapy, Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), mental health and the body, and working with clients in distress.  
• A supportive, caring and friendly working environment  

About You:

•  You will be a counselling or psychotherapy student who is in their second or third year of training.
• Your course will be accredited by a professional body such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), or other recognised professional body.
• You will ideally have knowledge or experience of working with victim-survivors of rape or sexual abuse.
• You will have experience of working or volunteering within health care, mental health, domestic abuse, or substance misuse settings, or equivalent experience elsewhere. 
• You will have a knowledge of safeguarding legislation and experience of following organisational safeguarding processes. 
• You will have had your own personal therapy.
• You will ideally have had experience of clinical supervision – group, peer or individual.
• You will be passionate supporting people who have experienced sexual violence and committed to promoting the values and ethos of SARSAS.  

What we would like from you:

•  A commitment of at least one year in placement
• To be registered as a student with a professional counselling or psychotherapy body such as BACP, or equivalent.
• To see 4 clients a week during a 6-hour block (Monday to Friday only)