Here at Iron Mill College we’re very proud of our heritage, having spent over 44 years helping people achieve their ambition, to become a counsellor or psychotherapist. We're a specialist college with campuses in Exeter and Poole, established with the specific purpose of offering psychotherapy and psychological well-being courses that hold space for students to express their individuality and creativity as developing professional practitioners. This continues to be the bedrock of our excellent reputation as a specialist, and leading provider of mental health and well-being education and training.
We are committed to fostering a learning environment that inspires curiosity, cultivates critical thinking, and empowers students to reach their full potential. Our campuses are hubs of activity, where students from various backgrounds come together to share ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue, and develop lifelong friendships.
The education you will receive at Iron Mill College is not just about earning a qualification; it’s about making a profound impact on individuals and communities outside of the College. As future counsellors and psychotherapists, you are embarking on a career that will enable you to:
- Promote Mental Health: Support individuals in overcoming challenges, improving their mental health, and leading fulfilling lives.
- Foster Resilience: Help clients develop coping strategies and resilience in the face of adversity.
- Build Stronger Communities: Contribute to the well-being of your community by providing essential mental health services.
On exploring our website you will discover what makes Iron Mill a unique place to learn, grow, and thrive. As you consider your options, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team, should you have any questions.
We’re here to help you achieve your ambition!
Our history
Iron Mill College was established in 1981 by Julie Hewson who started a small family business from her home located in Exmoor near a stream called the Iron Mill (yes, that's where our name came from!).
Julie's aspiration was to run a set of psychotherapy, psychological wellbeing courses that held a space for students to express their individuality, creativity and uniqueness. We're extremely proud to have carried this ethos right through to today.
Iron Mill College moved to Exeter on Longbrook street which was still a family business but gave the opportunity for people to access the courses easier. The site only featured a few classrooms and offices but grew its reputation of providing excellent creative learning courses to the city and beyond. We still have a few staff members working with us today who joined the college back in the Longbrook street days!
In 2011, Julie decided to sell the college to CCS Training, an Irish company, allowing her to focus on her art interests. Since this time, the Iron Mill has grown rapidly where we have been able to offer a low-cost community counselling service, validated University courses, postgraduate courses and an excellent range of CPDs for our students and the general public.
CCS Training also opened a sister college called PCI College that leads counselling and psychotherapy courses in Ireland where we collaborate together to continue our journey of providing creative and outstanding education. After joining CCS Training, we opened our second campus in Poole.
All in all, the college has grown from strength to strength. Since then, we have welcomed over 9000 students through our doors from those starting out on their journey to becoming counsellors or psychotherapists, to seasoned professionals seeking to further their skills.
Our mission and values
Our mission is to inspire transformative education in mental wellbeing, with the goal of empowering our learners to fulfil their potential by delivering robust contemporary training in the area of mental wellbeing by inspiring development of emotional, cognitive knowledge and practice skills to benefit society. Our ethos is underpinned by three key values;
- Wisdom: creating a deeper understanding of knowledge and expertise in the field of mental wellbeing
- Responsibility: being committed to developing and creating sustainable wellbeing
- Integrity: to know and have the courage to do what is right
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
As a counselling and psychotherapy training provider, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and equitable environment where all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity enriches the learning experience and strengthens the counselling and psychotherapy professions. This is in line with the ethical frameworks we adhere to.
We recognise and celebrate the unique identities, backgrounds and experiences of our students, staff, and the communities we serve. These include, but are not limited to, differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status, language, nationality, religion, and belief systems.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is reflected in our policies, curriculum, recruitment practices, and the support we offer to students and staff. We strive to:
- Provide an accessible and inclusive learning environment where everyone feels safe and respected.
- Ensure equal opportunities for all students and staff to succeed and progress.
- Embed anti-discriminatory and culturally competent practices within our counselling & psychotherapy training.
- Promote open dialogue, continuous learning, and reflective practice around EDI themes.
- Actively challenge prejudice, discrimination and injustice in all forms.
We are dedicated to continuous improvement and welcome feedback from our community to ensure our EDI efforts are impactful, relevant and responsive to changing needs.
