Hellopeter
Share Your Experience
SJ
Sarika J

1 reviews | Active since Jan 2021

06 Jan 2021, 18:42

Money making institute!

As a Psychology Major, I decided to expand my knowledge of counseling by supplementing my degree with short courses. Upon researching I found that Healing Hands was offering an affordable course in counseling. I decided to sign up.

After full payment was made for the course, I received an email stating my material would be sent through once it is ready which was usually 7-21 days. After almost a month of no communication I followed up with the institute and received my materials within days. My "material" was of very poor standard. It was a couple of printed documents in a document folder along with a binded "book" which would be what I needed to work through for my course. The content of the course was appalling, apart from the grammatical and spelling errors, I was surprised to see that the course was extremely basic. I decided to continue with the course regardless.

Upon working diligently through the material (Evidence of which was sent through to the institute with absolutely no formal feedback). I then sent through the required case studies which yet again I received basic feedback stating they were found to be competent. I decided I was ready to write my exam. My booking confirmation was made and paid for, the email stating I should allow atleast 14 days for marking.

I wrote my exam on the 09/11/2020. After emails every week since 26/11/2020 I finally got some sort of feedback on 06/01/2021 stating that I got 50% for my exam but the pass mark was 70% and I needed to add more facts. I want to add that the exam was 4 essays each out of 50 marks which needed to be written within 2 hours.

As a top achieving student at UNISA I find it hard to believe that I could achieve such poor results from such a low level course. Also, I have signed up with another institute offering a Life Coaching Course in which I find the course content not only of excellent quality but where I receive adequate feedback. I am excelling at this course as well.

I did an even cheaper course with another private institution in Childcare. This course also proved to have an excellent communication system with excellent material. The exam was in a similar format where concepts had to be explained and discussed in detail. Yet again I aced this one.

I feel like Healing Hands is just one of those money making institutions where no matter how hard you work. You will always fail. I attribute this "fail" to poor material and even poorer communication with students. They now expect me to pay another R550 for a rewrite on top of the R2600 I paid for a simple binded 100 page booklet plus a R400 exam fee. That's a total of R3550 for a non-accredited course which frankly is not up to standard in any way!

If anyone is considering studying through this institution, please think not twice but thrice.

0
Replies (3)
SJ
Sarika J's update07 Jan 2021, 22:09
Reviewer Update
My review was not done with malicious intent. I was simply stating facts ie.

1. The lack of communication with regards to the courier of my materials
2. The grammatical & spelling errors in the material.
3. The delay in receiving my exam results.
4. The lack of feedback contributing to this "fail". I believe that had I received feedback I would have known what sort of answers the exam required.
5. The material was of low standard. Most of the information was not referenced or cited and the book contains no bibliography. The material mentioned many theories however not many sources as to verify the information. The material often makes mention of "some the******s" or "most the******s" but no research has been mentioned to prove that these facts are accurate. The material, in my professional opinion is the experiences, opinions and assumptions of the writer rather than an educational guide.

As it seemed clear to you that my review was malicious, it also seems clear to me that the institute was setting me up for failure.

I continued with the course which was not accredited because I used to believe knowledge is not something that needs to be validated by a governing body. I now understand why these bodies have been created, to avoid cases such as this. As my attachments will prove, I have done many other short courses.

On that note, had I decided not to continue the course after receiving the dismal material would the institution have refunded me?

It made logical sense to complete the course rather than losing R2600 on a "book" of very disappointing standard. A certificate would have been somewhat of a consolation prize for the money I feel like I wasted on this course.

My review was to inform the masses of the material they would be receiving as well as be prepared for the lack of feedback and communication.

Healing Hands Wellness Institute
Healing Hands Wellness Institute's reply27 Sept 2021, 21:40
Official
Dear Sarika, WHY on earth would a Psychology Major enroll for a counselling short course?  Of course you would have been unhappy with the content!!  This course is for individuals who want to become Life Coaches, not for Psycology Majors.   It's shocking that a Psyc major would enroll for a counseling short course let alone write a review on a counselling / psychotherapy course when they clearly are very much educated in this field.  Please bear this in mind BEFORE enrolling for any form of psychology / counselling / similar courses when you have a DEGEE IN THIS FIELD!!  Elle Baker - CEO 
SJ
Sarika J's update27 Sept 2021, 22:26
Reviewer Update
Dear Elle,

Hope you are well.

Once more I reiterate the fact that my review was not done with malicious intent. I have neither requested a refund nor contacted you further since my review. As stated in my last communication (Almost a year ago), I find it futile to liase with an institute if this nature.

Once again, your response proves the level of customer service that the institute offers. Firstly, the grammar and spelling. Secondly, the field of psychology is not limited to counseling.

If your course is meant for individuals wanting to do life coaching, why is it called a "counseling course". I enrolled for your course to broaden my understanding from a different perspective.

In closing, my review was more focused on your institute. To highlight my concerns once again:

Lack of communication, feedback and support and of course the delays in receiving my material and then exam results.

As you have mentioned previously, you accept constructive criticism hence I implore you to rethink your response by focusing on your customer service as an institute as opposed to my reasons for enrolling into your course.

Kind Regards,
Sarika