One of the biggest questions we hear from people considering counselling training is:
“How do placements actually work — and how do I get my client hours?”
Placement is a vital part of becoming a confident, capable counsellor. It’s where learning moves off the page and into real-world practice — and understandably, it’s also the part of training that can feel the most daunting.
At Metavision Institute, placements are designed to be supported, structured, and achievable. Students aren’t expected to figure it out alone — and you’re not left scrambling to find clients.
Here’s how it works.
Why Placement Is Such an Important Part of Training
Placement is a core requirement of both the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) and the Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice).
It’s where you:
- Begin working with real clients
- Apply counselling theory in practice
- Develop confidence and professional judgement
- Learn ethical, reflective, and relational skills
- Grow into your identity as a counsellor
Rather than being something to “get through,” placement is intentionally woven into your development as a practitioner.
How Counselling Placements Work at Metavision
Placements at Metavision are made up of two integrated parts, designed to work together.
1. External Placement Organisations
Students complete placement hours with approved organisations related to counselling, wellbeing, and mental health. These may include:
- Counselling and wellbeing centres
- Private or group practices
- Community organisations and helplines
- Schools, hospitals, or integrative health settings
External placements help students experience real-world professional environments and organisational contexts.
2. The Metavision Student Clinic
Support for building your Direct Client Contact hours
One of the most common worries students have is how they’ll find enough clients to meet their Direct Client Contact (DCC) hours.
This is where the Metavision Student Clinic plays a crucial role.
The Student Clinic was created specifically to support students in building their DCC hours in a structured, ethical, and supported way — alongside external placement experiences.
Instead of being expected to source clients on your own, students are supported to:
- Work with real clients through the Student Clinic
- Build confidence in one-to-one counselling sessions
- Apply skills learned in class in a live setting
- Accumulate required DCC hours within a supervised framework
This significantly reduces the stress and uncertainty many people associate with placement.
How the Two Work Together
Rather than choosing between placement or the Student Clinic, students benefit from both.
- External placements provide exposure to professional settings and diverse client contexts
- The Student Clinic offers consistent, supported client work to help you meet DCC requirements
All Student Clinic work is:
- Closely supervised
- Ethically governed
- Aligned with PACFA requirements
- Integrated with reflective and academic support
Together, this creates a balanced, supported path into practice.
Understanding Placement Hours (Without the Jargon)
Placement hours are divided into two categories:
Direct Client Contact (DCC)
Time spent working directly with clients, such as:
- Conducting counselling sessions
- Facilitating group therapy
- Applying counselling skills in live sessions
Client-Related Activities (CRA)
Time spent supporting your client work, including:
- Case notes and documentation
- Supervision and reflective practice
- Session preparation and professional development
Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) & Year 1 of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
- 25 hours Direct Client Contact
- 75 hours Client-Related Activities
Year 2 of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
- 55 hours Direct Client Contact
- 45 hours Client-Related Activities
Group facilitation counts as DCC; observation or shadowing counts as CRA.
When Does Placement Begin?
Students can begin placement once they’ve completed foundational counselling skills and required assessment tasks.
In most cases, placement becomes available from August, with opportunities to:
- Register interest earlier
- Complete training and orientation
- Prepare documentation ahead of time
This allows students to feel ready and supported when client work begins.
Support Every Step of the Way
Students are supported throughout placement by:
- A Placement Coordinator — for agreements, documentation, and process guidance
- An Academic Supervisor — for reflective practice and skills development
- A Student Liaison Officer — for wellbeing and general support
This ensures students are never navigating placement in isolation.
A Supported Path Into Practice
Placements are an essential part of counselling training — but they don’t have to be overwhelming.
By combining external placement opportunities with the Student Clinic, Metavision supports students to build real-world experience, meet clinical hour requirements, and step into practice with confidence.
Final Places Remaining for March 2026 Intake
If you’re considering counselling training this year, final places remain for our March intake across both programs.
This is your opportunity to:
- Train within a holistic, process-oriented framework
- Be supported in building client hours through the Student Clinic
- Move from classroom learning into real-world practice with confidence
Apply now to secure your place or book a call to speak with our team about your study pathway.
