INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING


The Introduction to Counselling Practice is offered as a part time course, of 25 tutor contact hours organised as 10 weekly meetings during term times.

The purpose of the course is to give people an opportunity to explore aspects of counselling such as:-

• skills of listening

• role of the counsellor

• boundaries

• self-awareness of the counsellor

The people who find the course helpful are those who are using or are going to use ‘counselling’ or ‘listening skills’ as part of their work or voluntary activity, as well as those wishing to know more about counselling or explore the possibility of training for a new career.


N.B. Successful completion of this Introduction Course does not authorise people to practice as counsellors.

Application & Acceptance

By application form, and a personal statement.
Applicants should be open to a process of self development and awareness which arises from the experience of the course. The course is not a substitute for therapy.


Course Structure

The weekly meetings give opportunity for participants to learn together as a group through discussion and practice.
Course content

The framework for the content is flexible, and thus able to respond to contemporary issues and the learning needs of participants. The core components included are

• the skills of listening and responding appropriately in a ‘counselling relationship’

• the role of the counsellor

• the ethical and professional boundaries
• the need for personal development by the counsellor

• Study Skills


 Learning Methods

• Discussion in large group

• Practice sessions in 2’s and or 3’s

• reflection on pairs and triad practice
• case-study’ discussions drawn from the life experiences, the arts, literature and the media


Written work:-

Course participants are expected to keep a ‘reflective diary/ journal’. This will include
• thoughts and feelings about the session

• theoretical and practical learning
• aspects of personal awareness

To deepen the learning participants are encouraged to submit their work to the tutor who will give feedback on the content.

 N.B. If you wish to be awarded a Certificate for the course, you need to have successfully met the criteria for the journals and have an 80% attendance record.