Course Overview

Do you want to become a counsellor? Are you a good listener? Are you caring, compassionate and keen to help others? If the answer is yes, then this course could be the perfect choice for you.

The course introduces you to the three main theoretical approaches to counselling and shows what you can expect from working with counselling agencies. As part of this qualification, you can volunteer to work for an agency in a non-counselling capacity. Working on an agency based project is also an effective way of securing a work placement for further counselling experience.

This qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised qualification in counselling skills and want to:
• take the next step in training to become a counsellor
• learn more about counselling theory, ethics and mental health
• Understand the use of counselling skills in allied professions
• be prepared for work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting
This qualification leads to employment and increases employability opportunities across a range of health, care and allied sectors, such as for those whose role is to support others in sectors such as health and social care work, teaching and learning, advocacy and mediation, support and project work, and other helping roles. It provides additional skills for those already in employment and is likely to lead to increased opportunities for promotion and advancement towards practitioner-level qualifications (TC-L4).

The course has a blended delivery with college lessons on Thursdays at 9:15-12:15 at the Redditch campus and online learning using the Moodle platform over 33 weeks, starting on the 17th September.

To participate fully in the course, you will need access to:
• A laptop or desktop computer
• A stable Wi-Fi connection

Entry requirements

You must have achieved counselling skills training, for example our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 guided learning hours.

You will participate in a face to face interview and provide a hand written piece of work to allow for an assessment of your literacy skills, as well as sitting a diagnostic test to assess level of English.

Course Modules

This course is composed of 2 Units
Unit 1 - Counselling studies
-Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling.
-Understanding the counselling relationship.
-Understand the difference and diversity issues to develop emphatic understanding.
-Work within a user-centred approach to counselling.
-Use counselling theory to develop self-awareness in counselling practice.
-Understand theories of counselling and mental health.
-Use feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies.

Unit 2 – Application of counselling skills in a range of occupational settings
• Understand ethical, legal and professional frameworks for the use of counselling skills in a range of occupational settings
• Understand the nature of relationships in a range of occupational settings
• Know the importance of using empathy and understanding diversity in a range of occupational settings
• Understand the nature of working alliances in a range of occupational settings
• Understand the importance of self-awareness in the application of counselling skills in different occupations
• Understand frameworks for the use of counselling skills in non-counselling settings
• Understand the role of feedback and reflection in applied counselling skills

How will I be assessed?

The course is assessed in a variety of ways, by an ongoing portfolio of work, written work, learning journals, counselling skills practice, peer testimony’s and tutor feedback completed during the course which meets the course criteria.

You will develop a counselling style grounded in empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. Building facilitative therapeutic relationships with clients, learning to work in a way that is client led and avoids directing or advising, exploring your own internal process through personal development work, and reflecting on how the core conditions support ethical and effective practice.

What can I do next

After completion, you can decide on the best progression route to study to become a qualified counsellor.

Successful completion of the L3 Applied certificate in counselling studies qualifies you to join the Level 4 Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, the qualification needed to practice as a counsellor in an agency setting.

If your interest is simply in developing your skills either to use alongside your existing job or personal life, or to help you get a job in a caring or support field, you can stop at any stage in this progression route.