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.

The Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling is offered as a part time course, of 120 tutor contact hours organised as weekly evening meetings (18.00 - 21.30) for 30 weeks per year (3 x 10-week terms) with 3 additional Saturday / or Sunday workshops (one per term)

The course, designed on a relationship and process model of counselling practice, is intended to meet the needs of those who wish to:-

• develop their ability to use counselling skills within a work situation or professional role

• commence a professional training to become a practising counsellor

• learn more about therapeutic relationships


N.B. Successful completion of this certificate course does not authorise people to practice as counsellors

Application & Acceptance

By application form, a personal statement and two references. Applicants are expected to be at a time in their lives when they are able to:-
• make a commitment to the course

• be open to a process of self development and awareness which arises from the experience of the course


Course Structure

A modular course of three units of learning which provide participants with a grounding in counselling practice, and the opportunity to develop an increased sense of self-awareness whilst considering the wider issues of counselling practice.


Course content

Module 1 The Therapeutic Relationship of Counselling Practice.

An exploration of the therapeutic relationship, the similarities and differences of counselling vis-à-vis other helping relationships, and aspects of counselling process.

Module 2 Theory to Inform Practice.

Investigates the main themes in Person Centred Theory (The conditions for therapy) and psychodynamic theory the unconscious and transference. Consideration is given as to how personal experiences may affect the counselling relationship
Module 3 Professional, cultural and social aspects of counselling practice.

This module enables consideration of the social context of counselling, the importance of providing boundaries and ensuring an ethical relationship for therapeutic practice.


Learning Methods

A major emphasis is on experiential learning to facilitate the integration of practice and theory. There will be :-

• Seminar presentations by students and tutors

• ‘case-study’ discussions drawn from the arts, literature and the media

• group work and practice in triads and pairs

• discussion and reflection on pairs and triad practice


Course Assessment

Written work:-

• Three 2000-2500 word assignments are presented for assessment at the end of each term. Each assignment is linked to the term’s focus of study, and draws on reflections contained in personal journals.

• Ongoing personal journal. Although not formally assessed, the journal is used to record reflections on personal experiences of the course

Course Attendance: - Students need to achieve at least an 80% attendance record.

The Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is offered as a part-time course. The length of training is flexible according to individual needs. However, in order to conform to BACP recommendations, and to be considered for graduation by WCS, student members should be in the learning group for a minimum of three years

The course is intended to meet the needs of those who wish to: -

develop their counselling competence within an existing profession or role

become practising counsellors in for example voluntary, agency, or private sectors

It is designed on a relationship and process model informed by psychodynamic theory. The focus is on creating an empathic relationship with clients within an ethical framework.


Application prerequisites

Applicants are expected to be at a time in their lives when they are able to make the serious commitments –in time, emotion, intellect and money – that may be required.

In addition we ask that they have: -

completed at least 120 hours of counselling skills training with a recognised training organisation.

have a good preliminary understanding of the essentials of psychodynamic theory i.e. the unconscious, transference, counter transference, sexuality and development.


Course Structure

Weekly evening meetings, 18.00 - 21.30, for 30 weeks per year (3 x 10-week terms) with 3 additional Saturday or Sunday workshops (one per term)

Currently the course meetings are on Monday evenings

The course is designed to be a ‘rolling programme.’ Successful applicants join the student group each September.


Course content

The learning on the course meets the requirements of the BACP guidelines for training.

The core themes of each year are: -

The psychotherapeutic relationship
Theory to inform practice
Professional and ethical issues

The psychodynamic approaches include a study of the work of Freud, Klein and the Independents e.g. Winnicott and Bowlby. These are contrasted with other theoretical positions for example those developed by the Person Centred and Existential philosophical traditions

We recognise the importance of continual learning about gender, age, race, class, sexuality, disability, and culture.


Learning methods

The course integrates the opportunities to explore and learn about practice, the development of the counselling approach and self-knowledge through discussion, seminars, research presentations and experiential work in group, triads and pairs.


Practice & Academic requirements

Personal therapy: - weekly, one-to-one therapy, throughout their studentship (which includes practice hours.) Students are encouraged to experience more frequent sessions and be in therapy over a longer period of time.

Practice: - a minimum of 150 supervised counselling practice hours within the setting of WCS

Supervision: - Weekly group supervision is provided by WCS supervisors. Discussion of practice work is also an important part of trainee group meetings

Written work: - 2 written assignments are presented for assessment each year. Case studies are presented for discussion within the student group and in the final year the final practice assignment to the community at WCS.

Course attendance: - students need to attend at least 80% of all teaching and supervision sessions.


For details of our upcoming courses and training schedule, please refer to the Calendar section of the site.