Training Pathways into Professional Counselling
If you are thinking about becoming a counsellor, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Counselling training usually happens in stages, allowing you to build skills, confidence and experience over time.
At Step By Step Counselling Training, many people start with our Advanced Certificate in Counselling (Level 3 equivalent), where you learn the foundations of counselling skills and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and others. From there, students can progress to the Level 4 Diploma in Counselling, which is the professional qualification that prepares you to work as a practising counsellor. Once qualified, many therapists continue developing their knowledge through Continued Professional Development (CPD), which allows practitioners to explore specialist areas and keep their practice fresh and effective. Some of our CPD courses are also open to therapists who have trained elsewhere, creating opportunities for a wider learning community.
How the courses are taught
Learning structure:
Tutor-led in-person teaching sessions
Skills practice in small groups
Reflective exercises
Guided discussion and feedback
Reading and self-study
Assessments are focused on learning and development rather than performance. We embrace personality, difference and creativity. This enhances your experience during training and as a congruent practitioner.
It is important that you can contribute, listen and be respectful in a group environment, as your peers will be your closest collaborators. They and you will often be holding deep and personal stories, both individually and within the group, particularly during level 4. Confidentiality is vital during training, so the environment is useful and safe. However, you will only be required to disclose what you feel is comfortable for you and the tutors are always on hand to talk with you about any concerns you may have. Courses are a mixture of professional training and important self-awareness.
The best counsellors are the ones who work through their own situations and life experiences, to enable them to deliver empathic and understanding counselling sessions with people who need it.
Certificate in Counselling (Level 3 equivalent)
An introductory professional qualification for those beginning their counselling training.
This 12 week programme builds strong foundations in counselling skills, theory, self-awareness and ethical practice. It’s designed for those considering a professional qualification and wanting a solid, supportive grounding before progressing to practitioner training.
You will develop core listening skills, an understanding of ethical frameworks, and the reflective capacity required for Level 4 study.
Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
A professional diploma designed to prepare you for real client work.
Level 4 deepens your counselling skills, ethical awareness and professional identity. With a strong emphasis on safe, supervised practice, you will learn how to work confidently with clients while developing the maturity and responsibility required for professional registration.
This is the stage at which you move from learning about counselling to becoming a practising counsellor under supervision.
Find out more about our new CPD Programme
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