What Happens During an Advanced Certificate in Counselling (Level 3 Equivalent)?
If you’re thinking about counselling training, there’s often a quiet moment before you start where you wonder:
Am I overthinking this….or is this actually something I could do?
Level 3 tends to sit right in the middle of that question.
It’s not the very beginning, but it’s not full clinical training either. It’s more like stepping through the door and getting a proper feel for what counselling really is… beyond the idea of it.
What Happens During a Level 4 Counselling Diploma?
If you are considering progressing to a two year Level 4 counselling diploma, you are probably already familiar with counselling skills training. Many students reach this stage after completing a Level 3 course, where they have developed the foundations of listening skills, self awareness and understanding the counselling relationship.
Level 4 is the point where training becomes more professional and practice focused. It is the stage where you move from learning counselling skills to preparing to work as a practising counsellor.
Why Train as a Counsellor?
More and more people are feeling drawn towards counselling training. Sometimes it begins with a quiet curiosity. Sometimes it follows a life experience that has changed how you see people and the world. And sometimes it comes from a deeper sense that helping others think, feel and grow is meaningful work.
Beyond The Buzzwords: Unmasking the true power of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
If you've ever encountered the world of mental health, you've likely stumbled upon this sentiment. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has become a household term, often cast as a one-size-fits-all sticking plaster for emotional wounds. But let's get one thing straight: true CBT is far from a cookie-cutter solution. It's a nuanced, dynamic dance between client and therapist, a journey of introspection and empowerment fuelled by trust and understanding.
The Art of Empathy
Empathy is often described as ‘Walking in someone else’s shoes’… a metaphor, that whilst well-intentioned, falls short. Walking implies a distance, a temporary occupation of another’s life. Buttrue empathy is not a borrowed experience, but a shared space and a bridge built with unwaveringattention and genuine presence. It is not about standing in another’s shoes, but beside them. It isnot about understanding someone’s pain but acknowledging that we hear that pain and are doingour best to understand it.