More than 300 Singaporean and international graduates of diverse backgrounds and abilities celebrated their postgraduate qualifications in counselling education in November 2024.
These graduates are the inaugural cohort of professional-level counselling courses awarded by Flinders University and organised by the Executive Counselling and Training Academy (ECTA), Singapore’s leading private educational institution (PEI) in counselling.
Embracing diversity and inclusivity, the Flinders and ECTA counselling courses are designed to accommodate students with a range of physical, visual, and neurodivergent needs.
By recognising and supporting the unique strengths and requirements of each learner, ECTA fosters an empowering space where future counsellors can grow and develop. Valedictorian at the graduation ceremony, HOW Shi Min (MCouns ’24) says the program was practical and transformational.
“The course provided flexibility for adult learners, had a comprehensive curriculum and strong student support,” says Shi Min.
“The diversity of my classmates with their unique backgrounds lent to very diverse views and discussions, which enriched my learning.
“The Flinders/ECTA Masters program provided good practicum support throughout, which helped to ground our theoretical knowledge in practical ways and give confidence in working with clients
“My time at Flinders/ECTA was nothing short of life-changing, both professionally and personally,” she says.
Rooted in the humanistic values of acceptance, unconditional positive regard, empathy, and sincerity, the way the courses were taught created a nurturing space reflecting the qualities essential for effective counselling.
This focus on diversity and inclusivity also enriches the learning experience by bringing together learners diverse in age, ranging from 25 to 71 years old.
The dynamic environment fosters compassion, resilience, and mutual respect, encouraging learners to reassess assumptions and broaden their perspectives.
Graduate Ephraim Lin (GradCertCouns ’23, GradDipCouns ’24) says that the course provided much more than just a qualification.
“Originally, I had expected to learn more about others with my Masters, but through this course, I have now come to appreciate that understanding others starts first with understanding myself,” says Ephraim.
“The two years of learning and training has allowed me to reach a level of self-awareness to help me navigate differences, build trust and work more effectively with all my colleagues and stakeholders.”
The success of this inaugural cohort marks a meaningful step forward in producing empathetic and insightful counsellors that are equipped to support individuals, families, and communities facing the complexities of modern society.