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Level 2 Certificate In Counselling Skills

Take your first steps to becoming a counsellor!

Are you interested in studying one of our counselling courses? Learn the fundamentals of counselling with our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills course. Learn at your own pace, remotely from home or in one of our Adult Skills Centres.

Distance learning and a range of different courses make our qualifications accessible to everyone. This qualification will help develop your knowledge and skills around counselling by looking at counselling theories, key elements of the main theoretical approaches and will help you to develop self-understanding and reflect on your own values and beliefs. Successfully completing this qualification will help enable you to provide support and help to others.

This course is suitable for anyone seeking to work in the field of Counselling or a role that requires these skills.

Course Info
Do I have to pay a fee?
How to Apply
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Course Content

Unit 1: Using counselling skills

In this unit, you will learn to identify core counselling skills alongside understanding how these are practised in a counselling relationship. You will 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 you to the 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. You will 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 you to develop self-understanding, identifying your own values and beliefs and the ability to reflect on your personal qualities and skills.

How is the course delivered?

This course is delivered fully online through a online learning platform.

Support is provided throughout from professionally trained learning coaches, who are available to provide guidance and mark assignments, as well as provide feedback on progress where required.

This course is not suitable for absolute beginners, therefore learners are expected to have existing computer skills to Level 1 standard.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is done throughout the course.

Course Progression

Learners can progress onto the Level 3 Counselling Skills Diploma at Colchester Institute. There are no formal entry requirements for the level 3 course – the ability to work at Level 3 and a desire to help others is more important than formal qualifications.

Please note that this course is not accredited by BACP and therefore some providers may not accept this course as a precursor to studying on related social sciences level 3 courses.

Progression onto a Degree programme or Access to Higher Education Diploma will require Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) Literacy and Numeracy, although these can be obtained whilst simultaneously studying on our Level 3 Counselling programme.

This course is fully funded via the Government Adult Education Budget for learners who meet the age, residency and income criteria.

All applicants must be aged 19 and over, and those aged 19-23 are only eligible if they have already achieved a full Level 2 qualification or equivalent. If you are aged 24 and above you do not require any prior academic qualifications.

Applicants must have lived in the EU for the last three years and currently reside in England with a postcode outside of London, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, Cambridge & Peterborough, Tees Valley, and the West Midlands.

All applicants will also be assessed to ensure they meet the required standard of English language skills.

Funding and Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for a FREE Level 2 online learning course, you must meet the below requirements:
You must be aged 19 years or over as at 31/08/21
If you are aged 19-23, you must hold a full Level 2 qualification or above in any subject* (If you are aged 24+ you do not need to have a qualification)
You must have lived in the EU for the last three years
You must reside in England with a postcode outside of London, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, Cambridge & Peterborough, Tees Valley, and the West Midlands.
You must not be on another funded programme i.e. an apprenticeship or another distance learning or online course
You must not have completed this course or a similar course previously
You must not be on another distance learning course with another training provider
Applicants must also meet the low income and unemployment criteria below. You will only be fully-funded if:
You are working but earning less than £20,319 per year or are unemployed and in receipt of benefits, are aged 19 – 23 and have achieved a full Level 2
You are working but earning less than £20,319 per year or are unemployed and in receipt of benefits and are aged 24+

*A full Level 2 achievement is equivalent to 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A* to C). 

Level 2 qualifications are:

  • CSE – grade 1
  • GCSE – grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
  • intermediate apprenticeship
  • level 2 award
  • level 2 certificate
  • level 2 diploma
  • level 2 ESOL
  • level 2 essential skills
  • level 2 functional skills
  • level 2 national certificate
  • level 2 national diploma
  • level 2 NVQ
  • music grades 4 and 5
  • O level – grade A, B or C

Please get in touch with us using the enquiry buttons menu in the section below if you are interested in enrolling onto this programme

You can phone us via the details provided on this page or submit the course enquiry form located in the menu in the section below.

Our adult Learning Shops will then book an appointment with a National Carers Service adviser and make arrangements for you to complete an assessment to determine if this course is at an appropriate level for you to study at.*

Learners will attend an induction and assessment session which will be used to check your existing knowledge to ensure this is the most suitable course for you.

We will also need to confirm whether or not you are eligible to pay any course fees, and you may be asked to provide some further information about your current employment and financial status and previous learning.

*For employers or training managers enquiring about this course on behalf of your organisation for staff training purposes, National Careers Service appointments are not a mandatory part of the enrolment process.

Apply Now
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Course Outline: Learn the fundamentals of counselling with our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills course.
Qualification: TQUK Level 2 Certificate In Counselling Skills
LevelLevel 2
LocationColchester
Clacton
Braintree
Dovercourt
Distance Learning – Delivered Online
Duration10 Weeks
Campus / Adult Skills CentreColchester
Braintree
Clacton
Dovercourt
Start DateLearners can enrol on these courses throughout the year
AttendanceFlexible attendance throughout the year
PriceSubject to eligibility this course may be fully-funded
Make a Booking Enquiry HereEnquiries: 01206 814292Enquiries (Clacton/Dovercourt): 01206 712825Book a Careers Advice Appointment

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2023-24 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

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