Become a Counsellor
Overview
This outstanding three-year counselling programme provides a direct pathway to becoming a qualified, employment-ready counsellor. Designed for individuals who are passionate about supporting others, the course combines professional counselling skills, therapeutic theory, personal development, supervised practice, and real-world experience to develop confident, reflective, and highly competent practitioners. Students benefit from a carefully structured learning journey that builds knowledge and skills progressively, culminating in a BACP-recognised counselling qualification that meets the standards expected within the profession.
What truly distinguishes this programme is its commitment to trauma-informed practice, developed with input from SALT, a specialist charity supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Through access to specialist expertise and contemporary research, students gain a deep understanding of the impact of trauma, abuse, attachment difficulties, and adversity, and how these experiences shape people's lives and relationships. This unique blend of professional training and specialist trauma-informed knowledge ensures graduates are equipped not only with the counselling skills required for employment, but also with the insight, empathy, and professional resilience needed to support clients safely, ethically, and effectively in a wide range of counselling settings.
Become a Qualified Counsellor in Just 3 Years
Our three-year counselling programme is designed to take you from beginner level to qualified counsellor, providing the knowledge, skills, confidence and practical experience needed to begin a career in counselling.
Unlike many training routes that require learners to complete separate courses at different levels, this programme offers one clear pathway. You will develop professional counselling skills, explore key counselling theories, build self-awareness and gain supervised practical experience working with clients.
A key feature of the programme is our trauma-informed approach, developed with specialist input from SALT, a charity supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. You will learn how trauma can affect emotions, relationships, behaviour and wellbeing, helping you become a more compassionate, knowledgeable and effective counsellor.
What You Will Learn
Counselling Skills
You will develop the core skills required by professional counsellors, including:
Active listening
Building trust and rapport
Empathy and understanding
Reflecting thoughts and feelings
Asking helpful questions
Working with difficult emotions
Maintaining professional boundaries
Managing the beginning and ending of client work
Counselling Theories
You will study key counselling approaches, including:
Person-Centred Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic Theory
Transactional Analysis
Trauma-Informed Practice
You will learn how these approaches can be applied in real counselling situations.
Practical Experience
Throughout the programme, you will take part in:
Skills practice sessions
Group discussions
Personal development activities
Reflective learning
Observed counselling practice
Client placement work
Clinical supervision
By the final stage of the programme, you will have gained supervised client experience, helping you develop the confidence and practical skills valued by employers.
Career Opportunities
On completion of the programme, you may be able to work within:
Counselling services
Charities
Schools and colleges
Community organisations
Healthcare settings
Employee wellbeing services
Bereavement and support services
You may also continue your professional development and work towards private practice if this is your chosen pathway.
Included in Your Course Fee
✔ Teaching and tuition
✔ Learning materials
✔ Assessments
✔ Tutorials and learner support
✔ Skills practice sessions
✔ Placement guidance and support
✔ Digital Resilience Programme (included at no additional cost)
Understanding People
You will explore:
Human development and life experiences
Relationships and attachment
Mental health and wellbeing
Trauma and recovery
Loss and bereavement
Diversity and inclusion
How experiences can influence thoughts, feelings and behaviour
Professional Practice
The programme will help you develop an understanding of:
Ethics and confidentiality
Safeguarding responsibilities
Professional boundaries
Record keeping
Risk assessment
Working within counselling services
Professional standards expected of counsellors
Personal Development
Counselling is not only about learning techniques; it also requires self-awareness and reflection.
You will be supported to:
Develop greater self-awareness
Reflect on your own experiences and values
Build confidence and resilience
Develop your counselling identity
Understand the importance of looking after your own wellbeing
Course Fees and Funding
Combined Foundation Course
- Details: Combined Certificate in Counselling Skills and Certificate in Counselling Studies. Spans 40 weeks with 180 guided learning hours.
- Cost: £2,600 total (£500 registration fee + 12 monthly payments of £175).
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Details: Delivered over 2 years (approximately 40 weeks per year, plus 2 Saturday workshops). Year 2 requires a supervised counselling placement to complete 100 client hours.
- Cost: £7,600 total (£1,000 registration fee + 12 monthly payments of £550).
Or
Complete 3-Year Programme
- Details: Commit to the full programme at a discounted rate. Due to lending regulations, we can only offer a 12-month payment plan.
- Cost: £8,500 total. This can be paid as a £500 registration fee + 12 monthly payments of £666, or a £1000 registration fee + 12 monthly payments of £625.
Why Choose This Programme?
✔ A clear three-year pathway to becoming a qualified counsellor
✔ Trauma-informed training throughout
✔ Developed with specialist input from SALT
✔ Strong focus on practical skills and client experience
✔ Supportive learning environment
✔ Professional and employment-focused training
✔ Clear fees with no hidden costs