OVERVIEW

 

To be frank, this is a transformational process and in some ways, life may never be the same again. It has been life-changing for us and those we know who have taken a well-held version of this path.

 

As tutors we have a real passion for high-quality Person-Centred Counselling training. Unfortunately, in our experience of hearing from other students and experiences of working in other institutions, there can be a concerning range of quality, with some lacking what we believe to be non-negotiable for such a personal and professional undertaking. Given the profoundly intimate nature of this service to others and the responsibilities and privileges that come with it, we firmly believe training needs to be of the highest quality possible. Person-Centred Counselling has been a passion of ours for many years and we feel deeply that it has to be taught robustly, in a good environment and with facilitation and nurturing that is grounded solidly in this most beautiful of philosophies. These are our driving forces for providing this training.

 

The Person-Centred Approach can so often be misunderstood and mistaught, leading to misuse and impotence of the immense power for change and healing that it can have. As we have a very deep understanding of its theory and practice, we hope to cultivate this in our students through introducing and exploring the theory, spending time in encounter/process groups and extensive triad and fishbowl practice sessions; all within a strong holding and facilitative space.

 

Throughout this training, we will be covering, in-depth, the nuanced foundations of the Person-Centred Approach. A deep understanding and relationship with its philosophy and beliefs ensures that we offer the best possible space for our clients and each other (as well as ourselves, and others in our lives). This will involve looking at our understanding of human nature, our own personal relationships, our deepest held beliefs and values, our patterns of relating, and our approaches to difference and diversity. There will also be a sustained focus on the nature and development of the therapeutic relationship in relation to a wide variety of clients and situations, as well as the importance and differences throughout the stages of the therapeutic alliance.

 

A lot of personal reflection and exploration will be required. This, primarily, is what ensures that we are able to offer truly therapeutic conditions in a robust way to our clients and peers. 

 

In addition to a deep grounding in self-awareness and the foundations of the approach we will also be looking at contemporary developments, the fundamentals of ethical and professional practice, and how we embody this way of being to a level that we and others find genuinely moving.

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YOUR TUTORS

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FEES

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The course is priced at £3750 per year (£7500 in total), inclusive of Candidate registration and assessment fee of £339 per year. A deposit of £500 is required upon enrolment of the course. Fees can be paid in instalments.

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TIMINGS / DAYS / DATES

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The course is taught in person over 35 weekly weekday sessions with optional weekend encounter days, excluding public holidays, half terms and standard education breaks (Easter, Christmas, Summer etc). 

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35 Wednesday, 11:00am - 6:00pm 

Next intake starting September 2024 and running until June 2025 (Year 1)

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September 2025 - June 2026 (Year 2)

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CANDIDATE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

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Candidates are required to have successfully completed both Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies. There are occasions when an equivalent qualification may have been achieved and this will be assessed and discussed on a case by case basis.

 

All students are also expected to have a minimum of Grade C at English GCSE (or equivalent). If this is not the case, or cannot be proved then alternative measures will be taken to assess suitability for the course

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THEORETICAL MODEL

 

The theoretical model at the heart of our course is Person-Centred. We explore core Rogerian theory, as well as more contemporary Person-Centred theories.

 

 

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ADDITIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

Personal Counselling:

A requirement of 30 hours personal Counselling per course year (60 hours total), paid for by each student.

 

Supervision:

A requirement of a minimum of 90 minutes of Supervision per month, when a Counselling placement has started. 

 

Client Work/Placement:

Candidates are required to find their own placement and appropriate supervision to undertake client work. Candidates will be observed a number times in year one of the course before being signed off as proficient for placement.

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Once a placement is found, a minimum of 100 hours formally contracted counselling (one-to-one) with at least 5 different clients in an agency setting, with clients aged 16+ need to be completed.

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Included in this 100 hours, you are permitted to complete a maximum of 30 hours with children (50 hours, if with Place2be) and 30 hours of online/telephone Counselling.

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MINIMUM ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

 

Students will be required to show a solid understanding of the core concepts of person-centred theory and professional/ethical Counselling practice throughout the course. 

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As well as this, they will be required to show an engagement with the course and its content, as well as requirements under the “learning outside of the classroom” and personal development.

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Students are also required to pass the varying internal assessments and requirements throughout the first year (assignments, criteria, attendance, personal therapy and readiness etc) in order to be able to progress onto the second year of the course.

 

Within the second year, the same requirements are in place, as well an external assessment to assess the suitability of the candidate to complete and pass the diploma.

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Candidates will be assessed through the following methods:

 

• Observation of student engagement, discussion and application to tasks (Worksheets, Pair-work, Triads and Co-supervision), Verbal feedback from students

• Documentation: Written feedback from students. Student self-assessment and reflection from journals

• Testimony: Tutor and Peer feedback and assessment from observation sheets

• External Assessment: Submission of a 30-minute audio recording of a counselling session with a peer and associated 2-hour written Candidate Review Paper.

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PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES

 

After successful completion of the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, candidates can progress on to:

• Working as a counsellor in an agency setting

• Level 5 Psychotherapeutic Counselling

• Level 5 Diploma in CBT

• Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling

• Further training that requires a Diploma in Counselling or qualification as a Counsellor

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