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 to qualified counsellor, giving you the knowledge, skills, confidence, and practical experience needed to start a career in counselling.
Unlike many training routes that require students to find separate courses at different levels, this programme provides one clear pathway. You'll learn professional counselling skills, gain a strong understanding of counselling theories, develop self-awareness, and complete supervised client work to prepare you for employment.
A key feature of the course is its trauma-informed approach, developed with input from SALT, a charity supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This means you'll learn how trauma affects people's lives, relationships, emotions, and wellbeing, helping you become a more knowledgeable, compassionate, and effective counsellor.
What You'll Learn
Counselling Skills
You'll develop the core skills every counsellor needs, including:
Active listening
Building trust and rapport
Empathy and understanding
Reflecting thoughts and feelings
Asking helpful questions
Working with difficult emotions
Setting boundaries
Managing beginnings and endings with clients
Understanding People
You'll learn about:
Human growth and development
Relationships and attachment
Mental health and wellbeing
Trauma and recovery
Loss and bereavement
Diversity and inclusion
The impact of life experiences on behaviour
Counselling Theories
You'll explore the main approaches used by professional counsellors, including:
Person-Centred Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic Theory
Transactional Analysis
Trauma-Informed Practice
Most importantly, you'll learn how to use these approaches in real-life counselling situations.
Professional Practice
You'll gain an understanding of:
Ethics and confidentiality
Safeguarding
Professional boundaries
Record keeping
Risk assessment
Working within counselling services
Professional standards expected of counsellors
Practical Experience
Throughout the programme you'll take part in:
Skills practice sessions
Group discussions
Personal development activities
Reflective learning
Observed counselling practice
Client work placements
Clinical supervision
By the final stage of the programme, you'll be working with clients in a supervised placement setting, helping you gain the experience employers look for.
Personal Development
Being a counsellor is about more than learning techniques.
You'll be encouraged to:
Develop self-awareness
Understand your own experiences and values
Build confidence and resilience
Reflect on your practice
Learn how to care for your own wellbeing while supporting others
Career Opportunities
After completing the programme, you may be able to work in:
Counselling services
Charities
Schools and colleges
Community organisations
Healthcare settings
Employee wellbeing services
Bereavement and support services
You can also continue your professional development and work towards private practice if that is your goal.
Fees and Additional Costs
We believe in being completely transparent about costs.
£8,500 or £500 followed by 36 payments of £245
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 (FREE)
Why Choose This Course?
Clear 3-year route to becoming a qualified counsellor
Trauma-informed training throughout
Developed with specialist input from SALT
Strong focus on practical skills and client work
Supportive learning environment
Professional and employment-focused training
Transparent fees with no hidden costs
If you're passionate about helping others and want a rewarding career that makes a real difference, this programme offers a supportive and professionally recognised pathway into counselling.
Aims of the Course
Develop active listening and empathic communication skills
Understand the role of the counsellor and ethical boundaries
Explore key theoretical models, with a focus on the person-centred approach
Reflect on personal development and self-awareness
Learn about confidentiality, non-judgement, and respect in practice
Expand understanding of counselling theories and therapeutic approaches
Enhance practical counselling skills through structured practice
Deepen self-awareness and the ability to reflect on personal development
Explore mental health awareness and client diversity
Develop a clearer understanding of the counselling profession and its boundaries
Learning Methods
Interactive group work
Skills practice sessions
Reflective journals and self-evaluation
Tutor and peer feedback
Short written assignments
Supervised skills practice with structured feedback
Theory classes with group discussion
Case studies
Coursework and written assessments
NO EXAM!
Key Topics Include:
Core counselling skills (such as reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising)
The counselling relationship and the importance of unconditional positive regard
Ethical practice and the BACP Ethical Framework
Personal development and journaling for self-awareness
In-depth exploration of theoretical models (Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, CBT)
The counselling process: beginning, maintaining, and ending sessions
Mental health conditions and the counsellor’s role in a wider support system
Diversity, inclusion, and anti-oppressive practice
Ethical and professional issues in counselling
Developing a reflective and ethical mindset
Who is this for?
This course is ideal if:
You're considering or serious about a career in counselling
You work in a helping or supportive role (e.g., education, health, social care)
You want to improve your interpersonal and communication skills
You want to understand how theory and ethics shape real-world counselling practice