Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

Course aims

The aim of this course is to provide a preparation for counsellor practitioner training. Successful completion of this qualification means that you will be able to apply to join the Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and are ready to undertake workplace experience as part of this more in-depth training.

Course objectives

On completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate:

• the beginnings of making the transition between using counselling skills in an informal helping interaction to counselling practice with clients experiencing difficult life events and crises;
• the use of counselling skills concepts in personal exploration to develop self-awareness within counselling practice;
• a developed understanding of counselling concepts;
• that they are prepared for using a professional framework within a counselling agency;
• a developed understanding of the counselling relationship;
• that they are prepared to use diversity understandings and skills in a counselling relationship;
• that they are prepared to manage the counselling process within a user-centred approach;
• that they are prepared to use supervision as a self-reflective counsellor.

Target Candidates

This qualification is for learners who have already acquired some counselling skills and now want to continue their training. It will not teach you to be a counsellor, but it will prepare you to undertake workplace experience as a trainee counsellor.

The Certificate in Counselling Studies is intended for candidates who, having already acquired their Certificate in Counselling Skills (or its equivalent), and want to take the next step in training to become a counsellor, and/or learn more about counselling theory and agency work.

Recruitment Criteria

This qualification is intended for those who have passed the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, or equivalent qualification. Candidates must be at least 19 years old and possess a sufficient level of literacy and numeracy. All counselling qualifications are not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty. Prospective candidates will be asked to attend an informal interview with the tutors.

Course focus

This course is concerned with preparing to make the transition between using counselling skills in an informal helping interaction to counselling practice within an agency. The Introduction to Counselling Skills and Certificate in Counselling Skills courses focus on helping work, where as the Certificate in Counselling Studies focuses on professional helping relationships, which require knowledge and skills that are more in-depth than those involved in workplace helping interactions.

The focus of concern also differs between helping work and professional helping relationships; helping work involves distress and personal concerns, whereas professional helping relationships can range in focus from difficult life events and crises, to moderate and severe mental health problems.

The framework for counselling studies is based on the CPCAB seven process model, which reflects the processes at work when a counsellor/helper is working with a client/helpee. For the counselling studies course, these are as follows:

1. the professional framework of the counsellor
2. the counselling relationship
3. client diversity
4. the service user-centred approach
5. personal awareness in counselling
6. counselling concepts
7. supervision and self-reflection

Students embarking on this course are expected to undertake an additional 2 hours of study time on top of the guided learning hours. This is an experiential and skills based course. Interaction with other course members to promote self-awareness and enhance inter-personal skills forms an important part of the course, as does developing a wider theoretical knowledge base.This qualification requires trainees to undertake at least 10 hours of personal therapy.

Assessment

• A weekly learning journal
• Termly tutorials
• Taped skilled assessment and self evaluation
• Theoretical essay
• Tutor and peer observation of Counselling Skills
• 10 Hours of simulated supervision
• One self review
• One external assessment
• A Portfolio

Course fees

The total cost of the Certificate in Counselling Studies Course is £500. There is a payment plan available.

Please note: We recommend that students who feel that course costs may be a barrier to learning should contact the local authorities to enquire as to the possibility of financial support. We are also willing to discuss further payment options so that financial restrictions may not prove a barrier to learning.