Therapeutic Counselling

The Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling provides:

• Coherent vocational and professional counselling training
• Competence-based training which highlights the development of skilled practice via experiential learning
• Specific training for the role of counsellor in an agency
• The opportunity to learn a wide range of counselling theories and approaches

The course is made up of 7 units which will be studied over the two year period:

• Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor
• Working within a counselling relationship
• Working with client diversity in counselling work
• Working with a used-centred approach of counselling
• Working with self-awareness in the counselling process
• Working with a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills
• Working self reflectively as a counsellor

There is also a requirement to complete a minimum of 100 hours of work placement which is formally contracted one-to-one counselling with at least 5 different clients in an agency setting during the life of the course.

You will be assessed through a portfolio of evidence, tutor observations and feedback, tutorial records, testimony and external assessment.

You must hold a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, and:

• Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
• Provide references
• Be academically and emotionally able to cope with this level of training
• Have the ability to work with difference and diversity
• Possess personal qualities, imagination, intuition, openness and ability to benefit from self-development
• Have the ability to form a therapeutic relationship
• Have self-awareness, insight, honesty and the ability to make links
• Have emotional stability and the absence of personality disturbance
• Have the ability to challenge and be challenged
• Have the ability to respond sensitively and empathically to others
• Be capable to begin working with clients within an agency setting
• Are intending (and actively seeking) to begin working with clients during year 1 of the programme

Progression to Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT-L5).