Accredited Counselling and Psychotherapy Courses in Sussex and Online

We can help you achieve your personal and professional goals, whether you’re just starting out or already on your journey to becoming a Counsellor or Psychotherapist.

Our long-standing centre has an excellent reputation nationally and internationally. We pride ourselves on offering stimulating, supportive training with a talented, highly-qualified team.

THE OFFICIAL INTRODUCTION TO TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS (TA101) l 25th and 26th March (Online)

New to counselling/psychotherapy? The best place to start is our TA101. Our most popular course is great for anyone interested in psychology, relationships, communication, mental health and boosting self-awareness and self-esteem. Former students describe it as “life-changing”.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COURSES WE OFFER?

Come to our Online Open Evening on Thursday 30th March 2023 (6.30pm-8.00pm) or join our free How to Become a Counsellor Workshop on Thursday 23rd February 2023 (6.30pm-7.30pm).

The Link Centre is based at Plumpton College, East Sussex. www.thelinkcentre.co.uk email us on info@thelinkcentre.co.uk or call us on 01892 652487

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A COUNSELLOR OR PSYCHOTHERAPIST?

We are interviewing for our October 2023 intake NOW. Email info@thelinkcentre.co.uk for more info and to apply.

DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING (LEVEL 6) l Starting October 2023.

Want to qualify with an accredited Diploma in Counselling? We offer a comprehensive, supported learning experience which results in competent, ethical practitioners with qualifications that hold weight in the field.

ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY (LEVEL 7) l Starting October 2023.

If you would like to qualify as a registered psychotherapist we have various options depending on whether you have a counselling qualification or you’re starting from scratch.

Bring The Warmth Of Desert Sunshine Into Your Home With Hi Cacti

The store that celebrates independent creatives and plants for mental health

By Amy Stanborough

Has someone told you “you need to touch some grass” lately? Perhaps you have felt it yourself. Getting outdoors and seeing the colour green is good for our bodies and our mind, especially when we spend so much of our time behind screens. Consumed by technology in our day to day life, sometimes you just need to go outside and breathe in the fresh air or feel leaves beneath the balls of your feet.

Hi Cacti are all about championing plant care as a form of self care. They allow customers to bring the outdoors inside homes by selling botanical plants, plant pots, and nature themed homeware too. Owner Sabina Palermo says “houseplants are a healthy reminder for us to slow down and smell the roses; to also look after ourselves and the planet all at the same time”.

Hi Cacti is a vibrant cactus concept shop, exploding with the colours inspired by Sabina’s ‘Tex-mex’ hometown roots in Austin, Texas. The shop also pays homage to her travels around Mexico and Southwest America, now importing around 25% of Hi Cacti products from this corner of the globe. The store is its own mini fiesta of nature, local artists and bringing desert sunshine to Brighton.

This desert sunshine is represented by the sunny painted facade above the shop by local artist Hello Marine. Designed four years ago when the store opened in Seven Dials, it was intended to brighten even the greyest days in the neighbourhood as Sabina warmed to her new home. Hi Cacti actually started on Etsy in 2015, but the store opening was just the beginning of a real community of creators and plant-lovers blossoming.

Some plant pots you see in the store are handmade by Hi Cacti, but around 50% of products they showcase are made by small, creative businesses all over the UK. It is so important to Sabina to provide a platform for other independent businesses and that is why all of the shop's products are carefully selected.

Maya Doyle is an example of a local creator that works collaboratively with Hi Cacti. Some of her ceramics and pottery are sold in the store, and she also creates visuals for the business. Three local artists paint the plant pots, and naturally, with it being a female founded business, most of the artistry is being created by women.

For me personally, shopping locally from independent creators makes me feel like the product I have acquired attains so much more character and sentiment than high street shopping. Sabina says it is all about balance and where people can shop independently, they should.

Brighton is so saturated with creative businesses that the plethora of shopping choices can be overwhelming. While it is a privilege to have so many buying options, it is important we continue building shopping communities by constantly supporting the businesses we love. Unfortunately, since the magic of shopping independently during COVID has started to fade, these businesses are facing a mini recession. With more freedom, shoppers seem to be returning to the high street. Let’s go back to commemorating the locality and maintain good buying habits moving forward.

Last year was the next exciting big step for Hi Cacti as Sabina published a book of the same title as her store. Approached three years ago by publishers Leaping Hare, the book was released last year. Sabina found that most plant books in bookshops were more scientific. She wanted to create something more approachable for the new-comers of the houseplant keeping world. She produced a book which is readable and interactive, reflecting the Hi Cacti vibe in its own unique and funky way. The book is even available to buy in Kew Gardens, an incredible platform for Hi Cacti’s ethos.

Inside the book you can read why it is beneficial to keep plants, including tips and hacks, and also ‘how to care for’ twenty of Sabina’s easy to love houseplants. If you have never taken care of a plant before, this is the all in one guide and place to go. Composed of Sabina’s knowledge and research, it is modest and entertaining as well as informative. Learn how to style your houseplants, or take on one of the botanical projects in the book.

My favourite idea though - botanic recipes! Did you know some cacti are safe to eat and cook with? Well, Sabina will tell you how with five healthy, plant-based tex-mex recipes and three botanical drinks to wash dinner down with. The book's aim is to replicate the ‘plant care as self care’ ethos she opened the store with, and to reattach ourselves to ways we can connect with nature.

Hi Cacti have also hosted workshops including succulent wreath making for all year function - not just the holiday period - something you can also find in the book. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for future workshopping and creative opportunities over at Hi Cacti. Or just pop into the store to say hello! Hi Cacti are more than just retail, willing to chat to people about plants, give tips and just interact with the space. “We really want you and your plants to grow happily and healthy together”.