A guide to discovering the entry pathway that fits your background, your experience, and your aspirations.
For many people, the call to become a counsellor arrives quietly.
Sometimes it comes through lived experience.
Sometimes through supporting others.
Sometimes through a deep inner knowing that your work is meant to make a difference.
And yet, when that calling arrives, many people feel unsure about the practical next step:
“Do I qualify?”
“Do I need a degree?”
“Does my experience count?”
“What if my background is completely different?”
You are not alone.
At Metavision, our students come from richly diverse backgrounds — health, community work, coaching, teaching, corporate life, creative fields, and many who have never taken a straight, traditional path into study.
The beautiful truth is: there is more than one way to begin.
To help you find your clearest next step, we created a simple 2-minute quiz:
Take the quiz: Find Your Pathway to Study Holistic Counselling >>
Below, we walk you gently through the different pathways available — so you can understand exactly where you fit.
Where Your Study Journey Begins
At Metavision, students can begin their studies through two different programs, depending on their background and readiness:
- Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
- Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice)
Each is a doorway into this work — and your background will guide which one is the most aligned entry point for you.
Let’s explore both in a clear, grounded way.
Pathway 1: Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
For students with an undergraduate degree (any discipline)
If you have a university degree — whether in Arts, Science, Business, Education, Law, Health, or any other field — the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) may be your most direct pathway.
This PACFA-accredited, two-year postgraduate qualification supports you to become a deeply grounded, professionally recognised holistic counsellor and psychotherapist.
Counselling Skills Requirement
To begin, we look for evidence of foundational counselling skills. These may come from:
- Counselling certificates or diplomas
- Coaching qualifications
- Pastoral care or chaplaincy training
- Community or youth work
- Professional development courses that include counselling skills
If you do not have counselling training, you will usually complete our:
7-Week Counselling Foundations Bridging Course
This short, supportive course provides the essential counselling skills needed to begin the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) with confidence.
If you already have counselling or coaching skills gained through other training (for example, a coaching certification or a counselling-focused diploma), you may not need to complete the 7-week bridging course — this is assessed on an individual basis as part of the admissions process.
Katie’s Story – Entering the Master’s Pathway
Katie completed a Bachelor in Political Science and spent 15 years working as a government official. She felt called to more meaningful work but assumed her degree wasn’t relevant.
After speaking with our team, she discovered she could:
- Complete the 7-week Counselling Foundations Bridging Course
- Build the necessary counselling skillset
- Enter the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
Her path opened instantly — and what once felt out of reach became possible.
Pathway 2: Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice)
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) is a flexible and supportive entry point for people from a wide range of backgrounds.
You may choose this pathway if:
- You do not have a Bachelor’s degree
- You want to ease into study before committing to the full Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
- You want to focus on foundational training first
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) is a powerful first step for those who want to grow personally and professionally through the lens of holistic practice.
If You Do Not Have a Bachelor’s Degree
You can still apply for the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) through a portfolio-based admissions process and an interview.
To ensure you’re ready for postgraduate study, we look at:
- Your life experiences
- Professional or volunteer roles
- Training or certifications
- Your capacity for reflective practice
- Your intention for the work
Academic Readiness Requirement
If you do not have recent academic experience, you’ll complete our:
6-Month Academic Bridging Course
This course supports you to:
- Build confidence with academic writing
- Learn research and reflective skills
- Prepare for postgraduate study
- Enter the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) with a strong foundation
Completing the bridging course does not guarantee entry, but it prepares you to apply and meets the academic readiness requirement.
Lauren’s Story – Entering Through the Graduate Diploma Pathway
Lauren had spent 11 years in Pastoral Care, much of it in palliative settings, supporting individuals and families through life’s most vulnerable moments.
She had:
- No university degree
- Deep real-world experience
- A strong calling to therapeutic work
Lauren applied through the portfolio pathway, completed the 6-month Academic Bridging Course, and then entered the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice).
Her journey honours the truth that lived experience carries extraordinary value.
Studied Overseas? You’re Welcome Here
Metavision warmly welcomes applications from students who have completed their qualifications overseas.
As part of the admissions process, our academic team will review your transcripts to ensure your previous study is equivalent to the relevant level of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). If your qualification was not completed in English, you may also be asked to demonstrate English language proficiency.
We’ll guide you through each step so the process feels clear and supportive, rather than overwhelming.
Which Pathway Is Right for You?
Your next step depends on your background:
- If you have a Bachelor’s degree without counselling experience:
You can begin with the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) with the 7-week Counselling Foundations Bridging Course, if needed). - If you do not have a Bachelor’s degree:
You can begin with the 6-month Academic Bridging Course and apply for entry into the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice).
If you already have counselling or coaching training, your need for a bridging course will be assessed on an individual basis.
Still Not Sure Where You Fit? Take the Quiz >>
Our 2-minute quiz helps you quickly understand:
- Which entry pathway suits your background
- Whether you need the 7-week or 6-month bridging course
- Whether your experience qualifies
- What your next step should be
Take the Find Your Pathway to Study Quiz >>
Early Bird Pricing Ending Soon
Early Bird pricing for our March 2026 intake is closing on 30th November.
If you’re curious, now is the perfect time to explore your options and ask questions.
Take Your Next Step
Explore our Courses and Apply >>
Book a call — Speak with our team about your pathway >>
Your journey into holistic practice might be closer — and more possible — than you ever imagined.
