The awarding organisation for this course is NCFE. It is a progression from the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Intensive).
It will give you some knowledge of various types of counselling theory and how to apply it to client issues. You will also learn about ethics and mental health aspects which will prepare you for work as a professional counsellor within an agency setting.
This qualification is eligible in England for Advanced Learner Loans (19+).
What you'll learn
During this course you will:
• Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling
• Understand the counselling relationship
• Understand difference and diversity issues, to develop empathic 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
The awarding organisation for this course is NCFE. earn more about Level 3 specifications.
How you'll learn and be assessed
- Five-hour sessions take place each Friday from 9.30am-3pm for 18 weeks.
- Classes are structured with a tutor-led element followed by a skills element, where you will put into practice what you’ve learnt.
- You will receive one-to-one feedback from your tutor at key points during the course to help you develop your skills and assess areas for development.
Time commitment and independent study
Homework will take approximately two hours per week, however this will increase at key points during the course, such as when producing the two required assignments.
The course has two formal assessment elements and candidates need to be proficient in both to pass the course:
- portfolio of evidence, which will involve a variety of documents including two assignments.
- reviews of your learning and feedback.
Progression
The awarding organisation for this course is NCFE. It is a progression from the CO/P/P2004 Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Intensive).
This qualification does not lead directly to employment. It is designed as pre-practitioner training for professional counselling qualifications, but it could also lead to employment in a related field.
After qualifying at Level 3, you can apply for the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, which qualifies you to work as a Counselling Practitioner.
You might also consider progression to our Foundation Degree in Counselling.
Entry requirements
You must have undertaken and proficiently passed a counselling skills training course. This should be either our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or an equivalent qualification of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours from another institution.
You will be required to provide a Level 2 Certificate from a reputable training institution that abides by the Ethical Framework and guidelines set out by a recognised counselling association, such as BACP, and a portfolio of work.
You must also meet the following criteria:
• Minimum candidate age of 19 years old.
• Ability to translate intra-personal experience into language
• Able to benefit from self-development
• Emotional stability*
• Evidence of personal insight
• Ability to form a counselling relationship
• Awareness of difference and diversity
• Able to cope with course content**
• Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
• Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
*This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological distress.
**The nature of this course involves experiential elements that will involve some personal disclosure and associated personal developmental activities.
Disclaimer: Please note that if an applicant has experienced a significant life event in the last 6 months, such as a bereavement or recovery from a mental health issue, the College has the right to refuse the application and will recommend deferring due to the demands of the course. This can be discussed during the interview.