Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Level 2 Equivalent)
Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Level 2 Equivalent)
A supportive first step into counselling training
Build confidence, self-awareness and core listening skills
A Quality Checked course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register and does not itself fully qualify someone to practise as a counsellor.
“If you are beginning to explore counselling more seriously, this course offers a strong and supportive next step.”
Ed Gore - Tutor
Our Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Level 2 Equivalent) is designed to help you start developing the qualities, awareness and skills that sit at the heart of therapeutic work. You will begin to understand what it means to listen well, reflect deeply, and relate to others in an ethical, respectful and boundaried way.
This course supports both personal development and the early stages of professional training. It offers an experiential introduction to counselling skills, theory, self-awareness and reflective practice, helping you decide whether further training is right for you.
It is also NCPS Quality Checked, giving you added reassurance that the course aligns with recognised professional standards within the counselling field.
Who this course is for?
This course is suitable if you:
Maybe you have completed a Level 1 course and want to continue your training - this is not required
Are interested in counselling, helping work or personal development
Want to build your confidence in listening and relating skills
Would like a gentle but meaningful introduction to counselling theory and practice
Are exploring whether progression to Level 3 or further training feels right for you
You do not need to have everything worked out. You do need openness, curiosity, emotional readiness and a willingness to reflect.
What you will learn
Course structure
Total qualification time: 10 weeks
Guided learning hours: 30 hours
Home study: Students should expect some reading, reflective writing and assignment work outside of class each week
You will be introduced to topics such as:
Active listening
Empathy and presence
Boundaries
Confidentiality
Beginnings and endings
Self-awareness
Reflective practice
Difference and diversity
Ethical awareness
Introduction to key counselling approaches
Basic helping skills
Listening without fixing
Working with silence
Building confidence in skills practice
There will also be written and reflective elements to help you deepen your learning and begin building an evidence base for your understanding.
The course is quality checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and has been created and shaped by us in response to students and current counselling environment.
Our Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Level 2 Equivalent) offers an accessible, supportive introduction to the world of counselling.
You will begin to explore the foundations of therapeutic work, including how to listen with care, respond thoughtfully, reflect on your own process, and understand the importance of boundaries, ethics and self-awareness.
There will be space for discussion, paired skills work, tutor demonstrations and reflective learning throughout, so that you are not just learning ideas, but beginning to experience what counselling skills feel like in practice.
Core skills, self-awareness and an introduction to counselling practice
Outcome of the Course
On completion of this course, you will have:
A recognised introduction to counselling study at Level 2 equivalent
A stronger understanding of what counselling training involves
Greater self-awareness and reflective capacity
Increased confidence in communication and listening skills
A clearer sense of whether you would like to progress to Level 3 equivalent training
This course does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor. It is designed as a foundation stage, giving you the opportunity to grow in confidence, deepen your understanding, and prepare for further counselling training.
For many students, it also strengthens skills that are valuable in areas such as support work, education, care, coaching, leadership and other people-focused roles.
“The whole space has a great feel, helping towards the connection we have with one another, whether this is physically allowing us the space, environment we need or emotionally where we have each other, as well as the tutors to engage within a safe space to discuss any topic.”
FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE DATES & FEES
For every student enrolled, we promise to plant a tree.
Dates of our next course starting in 2027:
Saturdays from 9am - 3pm - Newton Abbot
Starting 9th January 2027 weekly
10 weeks
Payment options
Early Bird £240 until October 31st 2026
Option 1 - Payment in Full
£240
Option 2 - Instalment Plan
£50 deposit to secure your place, followed by 2 monthly payments of £95.
Full Price £300
Option 1 - Payment in Full
£300
Option 2 - Instalment Plan
£50 deposit to secure your place, followed by 2 monthly payments of £125.
We are proud to support One Tree Planted, a non-profit organisation focused on global reforestation. On your course with us, growth is not just personal. It reaches outward too.
Contact Us
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