MACP Newsletter 2.pdf - Shireburn Software Ltd

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Upcoming Events 2013-14 Look OUT! 1. Training Week - November 2013 2. Research Conference in Counselling - University of Malta 3.European Association for Counselling Malta Conference 4th - 6th April 2014 Become a Member Practicing counsellors, students and kindred professionals are invited to become members of the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession. For further details visit our website or contact the MACP secretary, Paul Cutajar on: secretary@macpmalta.org MACP Newsletter - July 2013 2
Interview with Vivien Cassar Vice-President of MACP by Silvia Galea SG : Good morning Vivien. We met several years ago for the first time when you visited me as a counsellor on behalf of a client at my place of work. Tell me a bit more about yourself. VC: I cannot but start from my ‘unusual’ childhood because it had an enormous impact on me and who I am. Since my father was in the British army we travelled around a lot. I changed 4 primary schools and 2 secondary schools during my school life. Of the latter, one was a boarding school in Germany and my GCE’s were done in Singapore where we spent three years. Now I am retired from the education division where I was a teacher of Maths and later a counsellor. SG: How did that change come about VC: Well when I got married in the early seventies married women had to resign from service and I did likewise although I taught for a year at a church school. When the children started coming (we have four) I was at home for 14 years doing part time teaching of English as a foreign language to German students mainly. I enjoyed it tremendously, it was exhilarating meeting so many people from different backgrounds but after a while I felt the urge to go back to schools. Being away for such a long time I felt I needed some kind of refresher course. At the time a course for a diploma in guidance and counselling was open and I applied. SG:What does being retired mean to you VC: I can’t say I really retired! I lectured at university, did work for the education division and long life learning sector besides voluntary counselling with an NGO. It is surprising how much work there is around for experienced people in the field of education. And the field of education and counselling really complement each other. Of course we are also always planning activities for our four grandchildren. Another aspect is trips abroad that are not limited to school holidays. SG: How does your counselling in the voluntary sector differ from the work in a school setting. VC: First of all I am working more with adults. This is the other side of the story, so it gives an interesting aspect of the fuller picture. I feel I can really guide parents in a way that I would not have been able to if I had not had the experience of listening ‘through the eyes’ of the youngsters I worked with in schools. A big thanks goes to them for providing such a wealth of narratives. SG: What characteristics do you believe have enhanced your work VC: I believe that the continuous training I have had through both education and counselling workshops, conferences and seminars have helped me to reflect continuously on my practice. Through these I have had feedback on various aspects of my work. Perhaps the ones I appreciate being blessed with are enthusiasm, sunny disposition, creativity and caring. It is important to be passionate about what you do otherwise it falls flat. Of course a number of people have been influential in shaping who I am, not least MACP Newsletter - July 2013 3
Page 1: The Official Newsletter of MACP Jul
Page 5 and 6: proach for instance, with its focus
Page 7 and 8: International Association For Couns
Page 9 and 10: BACP Summit and ‘An Evening with

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