Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (EQUAL)

This online course is designed for those who wish to develop their use of counselling skills in everyday life and work, and some of the approaches that underpin the use of these skills.

This qualification gives learners the opportunity to investigate the knowledge and skills needed to use counselling skills and engage in a helping interaction appropriately.

This qualification is useful for anyone who would like to develop their use of counselling skills for use in either work or a personal capacity. These may be learners who wish to progress towards further qualifications or learners who wish to study this programme in order to complement other programmes (eg health and social care, children’s care, learning and development, voluntary and community work).

This qualification does not qualify learners to practise as a counsellor.

All 4 units within the qualification are mandatory and you will gain knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

Unit 1: Using counselling skills

Learn to identify core counselling skills alongside understanding how these are practised in a counselling relationship. Gain an understanding of how to establish an effective working relationship and will consider the boundaries which need to be respected in this sensitive role.

Unit 2: Introduction to counselling skills theories

This unit will introduce key elements of the main theoretical approaches in counselling, psychodynamics, person-centred therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. There are key practical differences between these theories and you will hone your skills in understanding the significant importance of counselling theory.

Unit 3: Diversity and ethics in the use of counselling skills

This unit covers the concepts of diversity and ethics. Gain an understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, discover the key aspects of an ethical framework, and discover ways to address diversity in counselling skills practice.

Unit 4: Counselling skills and personal development

This unit encourages development of self-understanding, identifying values and beliefs and the ability to reflect on personal qualities and skills.

The course content is designed to take up to 150 hours (12 - 14 weeks) of learning and assessment.

Learners will be given access to a comprehensive online learning platform which will provide them with detailed knowledge and information to support their successful completion of each unit.

A tutor will be assigned to the learner once enrolled, they will support you in your induction and be the point of support throughout the length of the course.

Further self-directed research is encouraged to expand learner’s understanding of key topics.

The Additional Learning Support Team work across college supporting students with a variety of learning needs in different ways.  Support can be requested at enrolment or at any point throughout your course. For more information about ALS or for support booking on to a course telephone 0333 0031717.

Clear deadlines will be provided for each unit to ensure the qualification is completed within the set time frame.

Completion and progress on each unit is clearly identified on the learner’s online dashboard.

Learners will receive regular written feedback throughout the course including opportunities for further development.