Circle Therapy offers meaningful, supervised placements for trainee counsellors — giving you the real-world experience, professional structure, and compassionate support your training deserves.
Our student placement programme has been developed to meet the real needs of trainee counsellors — not just to fill client hours, but to help you grow as a practitioner. We work closely with course tutors, supervisors, and trainees to ensure every placement is purposeful, ethical, and professionally grounded.
You'll work with real clients in a safe, structured setting, supported by experienced practitioners who understand the demands of training. We accept trainees at Diploma and Degree level across a range of therapeutic modalities.
Stella has 8 years of clinical practice experience in counselling and supervision. She specialises in integrative and trauma-informed approaches, and is particularly passionate about supporting trainees through the challenges of early client work.
As part of your placement you'll receive monthly individual supervision with Stella, attend regular clinical meetings, and take part in CPD sessions. Together these create a structured, supportive framework that helps you develop both professionally and personally throughout your time with us.
Gayle brings 13 years of clinical practice experience to her role as Clinical Lead and Placement Manager at Circle Therapy. She has a broad and deep specialism across anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, and relationships — making her exceptionally well-placed to support trainees working with a wide range of presenting issues.
As Placement Manager, Gayle oversees the day-to-day running of the placement programme — from initial enquiries through to your final sign-off. She is your first point of contact for any practical questions and works closely with Stella to ensure every trainee receives consistent, high-quality support throughout their placement.
Lisa supervises trainees on school-based placements, bringing over 10 years of specialist safeguarding experience alongside more than 6 years in clinical practice. Her deep understanding of the school environment — its structures, pressures, and safeguarding responsibilities — means she is uniquely equipped to support trainees working with children and young people.
Lisa provides a grounded, knowledgeable supervisory space where trainees can explore the particular challenges of school-based work with confidence — from navigating institutional dynamics to managing disclosures and safeguarding protocols.
We welcome trainees at Diploma and Degree level. You'll need to be enrolled on a recognised counselling course and have completed your basic skills training before beginning client work. We'll ask about your course and level when you apply.
Yes. All placements include monthly individual supervision with Stella Clark, regular clinical meetings, and access to CPD sessions. Everything is built into your placement agreement and counts toward your required hours.
We work hard to ensure our placement agreements meet the requirements of all major recognised counselling courses. We recommend checking with your course tutor before applying. If your course has specific requirements, get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate them.
Yes — all trainees on placement are required to hold their own student professional indemnity insurance before seeing clients. Many courses include this as part of your enrolment, or it can be obtained through your professional membership body. We're happy to advise if you're unsure.
Each trainee can see up to 3 clients per week. Sessions are offered face-to-face at our Tring location or online. We'll agree the arrangement with you before you begin, and this can be reviewed as your placement progresses.
We offer face-to-face placements at our Tring location as well as fully online sessions. Both formats are supported with the same level of supervision.
We'd love to hear from you. Drop us an email and a member of our placement team will be in touch within three working days.
Email the Team