This course will prepare you to work as a capable counselling practitioner in an agency setting. You will study a theoretical model, ethical practice, specialist issues relevant to working as a counsellor within an agency, group training supervision, counselling skills practice, and an ongoing process group. There will be workshops on cultural diversity, difference and anti-discriminatory practice.

Factsheet

Who is This Course For?

People seeking an advanced counselling practitioner training course, including those who wish to progress to higher qualifications. It is designed for those who want to make counselling their career or whose work demands high level counselling skills.

Entry Requirements

You will need to have completed:

• The Intermediate Certificate in Counselling Skills OR the Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills, AND
• The Intermediate Certificate in Counselling Studies or equivalent.

About the course

You will study the following (all units are compulsory):

• Working ethically and safely as an agency counsellor
• Working within a counselling relationship
• Working with client diversity
• Working within a user-centred agency approach
• Working with self-awareness in the counselling process
• Working within a framework of counselling theory and skills
• Working self-reflectively as an agency counsellor.

The course will give you an opportunity to:

• Develop ethical and safe practice as an agency counsellor
• Learn how to develop and sustain a therapeutic counselling relationship
• Understand and work with client diversity
• Become a capable practitioner within a user-centred agency approach
• Develop self awareness within the counselling process
• Work within a core model of counselling theory and skills
• Work self-reflectively as an agency counsellor making effective use of supervision.

Additional Opportunities

You will be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised client work as a formally-contracted volunteer within a counselling agency. You will also be required to complete a minimum of 40 hours personal counselling.

How will I be assessed?

You will be expected to build a portfolio. The three assessments used throughout the training are review of documents, assessed observation, and testimony. This ensures that all aspects of the seven processes of practitioner development are evidenced. These assessment methods will assess training programme assignments and look at the evidence from the agency setting, and will provide the quantity and type of evidence required to satisfy criteria. Assessments are designed to assess your understanding of the professional framework.

Where next?

When you complete this course you will be qualified to work as a counselling practitioner within an agency setting. You may wish to go on to further qualifications validated by the CPCAB, such as the Advanced Certificate in Consultancy Supervision, the Higher Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and/or the Higher Diploma in Counselling within Health Settings.

How to apply?

Please apply online for courses starting in 2010.