Course description
This is a Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) course.
This counselling course will give you some knowledge of various types of 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+). The course fee includes CPCAB registration fee.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
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.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
This is a Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) course. 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.
Training Course Content
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
This course is validated by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).
CPCAB is an organisational member of the European Association for Counselling and its qualifications are internationally available. For more information, the CPCAB website can be accessed at www.cpcab.co.uk.
Course delivery details
- Sessions take place each Tuesday from 5.30-8.30pm.
- 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.
- There will be a minimum expectation set for the time spent completing homework tasks and independent study. This is likely to fluctuate at key points during the course, such as before the exam and when producing the two assignments.
The course has two formal assessment elements. Candidates need to be proficient in both to pass the course:
• External exam
• Portfolio of evidence, which will involve a variety of documents including assignments, reviews of your learning, and feedback
To achieve the Counselling Studies Level 3 Certificate, learners must be assessed as proficient in all seven learning outcomes of the mandatory unit and must be assessed as proficient in both internal and external assessments.
The expectation from CPCAB is that learners have a minimum of 80% attendance and it is essential learners attend the first session.
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning. We work with learners as individuals, helping them make the choice of course and career pathway that’s right for them. Our mission is to provide work-ready talent for business, and...