Course Overview

The duration of this course is 11-13 weeks.

This qualification covers the fundamental use and theories of counselling skills and personal development. This online course is designed to improve your counselling skills in everyday life and is knowledge-based only. On completion, you will not be able to become a counsellor without practical training.

You will need to demonstrate an active interesting in counselling skills and how these might be used to help others as well as well-developed self-awareness. You will need to be able to access a personal computer to be able to submit assignment work and access class materials which are held on the Microsoft Teams platform.

As part of this course you will study four mandatory units:

UNIT 1 – Using counselling skills

• Section 1 Know what core counselling skills are
• Section 2 Know how to establish a helping relationship
• Section 3 Be able to use core counselling skills in a helping relationship (witness testimony required from an appropriate witness who has training, experience and knowledge in relation to counselling skills, such as a counsellor, manager or mentor) or case study (theoretical and self-evaluation of skills practice with examples and evaluating its effectiveness)
• Section 4 Know how to conclude a helping interaction

UNIT 2 – Introduction to counselling skills theories

• Section 1 Know elements of counselling theories
• Section 2 Know the significance of counselling theories

UNIT 3 – Diversity and ethics in the use of counselling skills

• Section 1 Know how an ethical framework relates to the use of counselling skills
• Section 2 Know what discrimination means
• Section 3 Understand about anti-discriminatory practice

UNIT 4 – Counselling skills and personal development

• Section 1 Know how to develop self-understanding
• Section 2 Know personal qualities relevant to the helping roles
• Section 3 Know how to meet own support needs
• Section 4 Know how self-reflection contributes to personal development

Assessment Methods

Assessments are due at the end of each unit. Your tutor will assess your work and build up your portfolio of evidence of learning. A certificate will be awarded on satisfactory submission of evidence of learning for the units studied.

Progression Options

BTC provides a range of professional qualifications which can be achieved at different stages throughout your career, and at varying levels, providing clear progression routes.

See the progression routes available: https://visit.btc.ac.uk/en/counselling-courses.