Neil Dickson

Counselling BSc (Hons) Top Up Tutor

I joined Riverside in 2015 as a Health and Social Care lecturer working across both Riverside and Cronton Campuses.

I teach Personal Development classes on the FdSc Counselling degree and the specialist modules ‘Couples Counselling’ and ‘Grief and Loss’ on the BSc Top-up Counselling programme.

I am also the course team leader for the Health and Social Care degree programmes, and teach a second-year class. I have previously taught A level Psychology, Level 2 + 3 Health and Social Care, Access to Nursing, Level 3 Forensic Science,

Expertise and Interests

I am a qualified and practising therapist. I previously volunteered at the LGBT Foundation in Manchester, in a number of different roles, the most recent being a member of their therapy team.

In my previous role as an A level Psychology Teacher, I was an examiner. I was also the Lead Internal Verifier for the Forensic Science Level 3 BTEC programme.

My areas of interest in counselling are – Transactional Analysis (TA) and Integrative models of working.

I am a keen equality advocate and have worked with several charities and initiatives over the years to raise awareness and understanding of minority groups.

Qualifications

• FdSc Integrative Counselling (Distinction)
• PGCE (Social Science) (Masters)
• BSc Hons. Social Psychology (2.1)

I began my Teacher Training in 2009 and am now in my 12th year of teaching/lecturing. I had previously undertaken my BSc Hons. Degree in Social Psychology, where I graduated as Valedictorian for my year.

I am passionate about the areas of psychology and counselling. As they are both relatively ‘young’ subjects, I love reading about advancements in the fields, and possible ideas of what might be next. I like to attend online events and watch TED talks from influential speakers and researchers in the field, to develop my knowledge and understanding. I think this helps me to inspire the same enthusiasm in students and excite them about the field they are moving into.