Erik de Jong

Graduate Diploma of Counselling
Completed: 2004

Specialisation: Counselling

Study mode(s): Sydney Campus

State: NSW

Other academic qualifications: 
1992 MBA, Erasmus University - The Netherlands
1989 Masters Degree in Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht - The Netherlands

Professional membership(s):
Clinical Member of CAPA NSW

Fieldwork placement: Training and coaching company

Training and coaching executives in the area of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Allowing people to better understand and manage their inner drivers and motivators, in order to then be better able to interact effectively with others and create harmonious teams, organisations or communities, that are then able to deal successfully with uncertainty in their environment.

Experience at ACAP:
I've found studying at ACAP very stimulating; it simultaneously encourages my self-development and my professional development. The various classes in their own way all contribute to different aspects of what I wanted to learn. The combination of learning skills and acquiring knowledge and insight is very powerful. The teachers are very supportive yet challenge you in your thinking and growth. I love the variety and the ability to pick and choose to create a package that is suited to my personal requirements and needs. I chose to do all modules on campus, I really valued the interaction with other students and the learning from each other, and also practicing the different counselling skills together and seeing different styles was very worthwhile to me. Especially the weekend modules and the summer school modules I like: they give an intense experience. You completely immerse your self for a relatively limited time and really get into the subject and come out with knowledge and a skill set. I love that kind of intensity. I've come to really appreciate a lot of my fellow students, we're a very diverse group of people. We are generally very compassionate and interested in others. We share common interests but for different reasons and we're from different backgrounds, and that makes for great exchanges and a comfortable and fun experience. Some of my fellow students and teachers have become friends and some have become important people to stay in touch with as we all doing our own things with our new skills.

I pretty much studied full time and at times that was a bit overwhelming. A lot of the modules are emotionally intense and the material needs to "sink in" a bit, I'd recommend students to not do more than they can handle if they have a lot of other obligations going on in their life.

I was very impressed with the encouragement I received from the teachers to really explore the various methods and see what would work for me in my own way of working as a counsellor or executive coach, ACAP has helped and encouraged me to build the method of counselling that works for me and my clients. The eclectic, integrative approach at ACAP is intelligent and challenging.

How has study at ACAP benefitted you personally?

Along the way I have gained a lot of insight in my own thinking, feeling and doing. A lot of people come to ACAP after having personally experienced the benefit of counselling or self development in some shape or form and it is understood and encouraged here that all of us will always continue to be on our journey. I like the openness about that. I've made some great friends.

How has study at ACAP benefitted you professionally?
I came here looking for knowledge and skills and an accreditation that would give me credibility with my clients on top of my business competence. I got all of that, but am actually amazed at how it has really helped further developed the programs and products that I offer in my business. Outside of that: I've met some great people, some of whom I "network" with and have gotten work through, some of whom I continue to talk with to continue to develop our thinking and approach to work and some who are just great fun to be with!

I feel a lot more confident in my skills, knowledge and approach to counselling and coaching; confident  to be a counsellor and confident taht I know when it is appropriate to refer a client. You really do learn to understand what your limitations are as well and that is a good thing.

How have you used your ACAP qualification?
In private practice and as a volunteer in a counselling agency.

In private practice:
Yes

Business name and details:
Keystone de Jong Associates PTY LTD
Sydney, NSW, Australia

Phone:
02 85691717 (Sydney)     03 86100112 (Melbourne)     0412742686 (Erik de Jong - mobile)
Email: Info@keystone-dejong.com
Website: www.keystone-dejong.com

Description of services:
Executive coaching and mentoring, counselling, corporate training and workshop facilitation, organisational change.