Learn how to support people to improve their mental wellbeing with a counselling course.
Counselling skills can make a real difference to people’s wellbeing, whether you’re looking to begin a career in counselling or enhance your ability to support others in your current role. This course introduces the key principles of counselling, including core theories, ethical practice and effective communication techniques.
These skills are valuable across a wide range of professions, including management, education, healthcare and youth work, where understanding and supporting others is an important part of the role. While this qualification provides a strong introduction to counselling, further study is required to become an accredited counsellor.
Through this course, you will develop an understanding of the core counselling skills, theory and ethical practice needed to support others. Ideal for those considering a career in counselling, psychotherapy or youth work, this course provides a strong foundation for further study towards accredited counsellor status.
Please note this qualification alone does not provide professional accreditation.
Our flexible online courses are designed to fit around your work and personal commitments. You’ll receive access to our online learning platform, where you’ll complete your assessments with support from a dedicated subject specialist tutor.
This course is designed to be completed over 2-4 months. Our flexible learning approach allows you to study at a time that suits your work and home commitments.
Once enrolled, you’ll receive access to your online learning platform, where you’ll find all your course deadlines to help keep you on track.
Funding is available for eligible residents of Greater London through the Greater London Authority and for West Sussex residents through West Sussex Council.
This qualification can support progression into careers such as:
This knowledge-based qualification develops your understanding of counselling theory and is relevant across a range of sectors. It also provides a strong foundation for further study if you wish to work towards accredited counsellor status.
This course is recognised and accredited by NCFE CACHE.
Funding is available for eligible residents of London and West Sussex. You must meet the following criteria to be able to study for free:
If you enrol onto this course but fail to complete, please be aware there will be a £250 + VAT administration charge.
Week 1 – Submit Your Enquiry Form.
We’ll call to talk you through the course and answer any questions you may have. You will then be sent a Course Registration Form to complete.
Week 2 – We’ll Process Your Application.
Our Enrolment Team will then ask you to complete an application form. A tutor will be assigned to you to support you throughout your course and they can be contacted by phone, text or email.
Weeks 3–16 – You’ll Receive Email Reminders When Your Units Are Due.
Your tutor will mark and return your work within 10 days.
Completion – After Submission.
Once you’ve completed your course, we’ll apply for your certificate, which will be posted to your home address within 2–4 weeks.
This course is fully free for eligible adults aged 19 and over living in London or Buckinghamshire, funded through the Adult Skills Fund. Funding is generally available to people who are unemployed or on a lower income and is subject to residency and eligibility checks when you enrol.
This is a nationally recognised qualification that introduces learners to the principles and practices of counselling and develops skills that can be used across many professional roles. It covers communication, active listening, building rapport, empathy, counselling theories, professional boundaries, self awareness and the ethical principles that underpin counselling practice.
No, this qualification introduces counselling skills but does not qualify learners to practise as a professional counsellor. It provides a strong foundation for progressing to higher level counselling qualifications while developing valuable communication, empathy and interpersonal skills that can be applied within a wide range of professional roles.
This qualification is suitable for anyone wanting to develop their communication and helping skills or explore a future career in counselling, mentoring, coaching or support work. It is particularly valuable for people working in health and social care, education, community services, customer service, housing, human resources and other people focused roles.
Most learners complete the qualification within 10 to 12 weeks through flexible blended learning, with online learning materials and dedicated tutor or assessor support. Assessment is completed through an online portfolio of evidence and knowledge based workbooks, with no formal examinations required.
