Graduating and Growing: What My Counselling Journey Taught Me

Graduating with a First-Class Honours degree in Counselling should have been one of the happiest days of my life, and in many ways, it was. I had my husband, Ben, and his mum, Noreen, there to celebrate with me, alongside my amazing cohort.

It was a day filled with pride and joy… but also a quiet sadness for everything the road to graduation had cost along the way.

The Personal Growth Behind the Certificate

Counselling training isn’t just about learning theories or techniques; it’s about you. You learn so much about who you are, how you relate to others, and what truly matters.

You grow in ways you never expect, and if you’re not careful, you can find that you’ve outgrown parts of your old life, too.

For me, that growth meant learning not to people-please at my own expense. I found my voice and discovered that it’s okay to have opinions, even if not everyone agrees. I also realised that I’m much more of an introvert than I ever thought! It’s still nice to be liked, but I’ve learned that I no longer need that approval to feel good about myself.

The So-Called “Divorce Course”

Counselling courses are often jokingly called “the Divorce Course”, and I soon learned that this doesn’t just apply to romantic relationships. Growth can change how we connect with others, and sometimes that means saying goodbye to people we’ve loved dearly. That’s been one of the hardest parts for me.

From Doubt to Belief

Before I began training, a friend told me she didn’t think I’d make a good counsellor because I’d needed help myself. At the time, that comment stung.

Now I realise that’s exactly what makes me a good counsellor. I’ve been there, I’ve known chaos, self-doubt, and the feeling of never being enough. I understand what it’s like to reach out for help and not know where to begin.

Through my own counselling journey, I’ve found resilience, compassion, and the strength to stand in my own truth. Those lessons didn’t just help me through my degree; they shape the way I sit with my clients every day.

Becoming Someone I’m Proud To Be

Yes, graduating with First-Class Honours was an incredible moment. But the real achievement? Becoming someone I’m genuinely proud to be.

If you’re reading this and recognise your own story of growth, change, or rediscovery, know that you’re not alone. Growth can be uncomfortable, but it’s also deeply healing.

Counselling offers a safe, understanding space to explore that journey — to find your voice, reconnect with who you are, and begin to feel proud of yourself again.

Jane Kelly | Ruby Arena Counselling📧 rubyarenacounselling@gmail.com

Person-centred counselling for anxiety, low self-esteem, and personal growth.