Modules
Year 1 (Higher Education Certificate Level 1) (national level 4):
A Core Counselling Approach (30 credits)
This module provides a detailed overview of a core model for counselling, exploring its historical background and current relevance. How does this model apply in practice, and what interventions does it offer? You’ll gain an understanding of its theoretical and practical foundations, while learning how it’s used in real-world counselling scenarios. The exact content of the module may vary depending on the institution's chosen core model, shaped by the expertise of the teaching staff. Professional bodies recommend that all counselling students master a core model as it forms a strong base for exploring other approaches.
Becoming a Counsellor (30 credits)
This module explores the personal and professional skills required to practice as a counsellor. What are the ethical, legal, and practical issues that you need to understand before embarking on a clinical placement? Through lectures, seminars, and tutor-facilitated reflective groups, you’ll prepare for your future clinical practice. You will develop self-awareness and learn how to assess your developmental needs by using a personal journal, tracking your growth throughout the year. Each week, reflective group discussions will dive into different aspects of counselling, helping you to connect personal and professional insights as you start your clinical practice journey.
Developing your Counselling Skills (30 credits)
This module combines teaching practical counselling methods with hands-on experience. You’ll engage in exercises, demonstrations, and roleplays in triads, taking turns as the client, counsellor, and observer. Recording your sessions will help you reflect, learn from your practice, and create material for assessment. You’ll also get written feedback from both peers and tutors to support your development. Throughout, you’ll track your progress in a personal journal, preparing for your final assessment. Which role are you most excited to try: client, counsellor, or observer?
Issues in Contemporary Counselling (30 credits)
This module covers key issues in counselling theory, practice, and evidence, focusing on real world challenges. You’ll explore topics like the regulation of psychological professions, how limits in counselling practice are set, and other important areas include the impact of a counsellor’s personal beliefs, working with mental health, addiction, trauma, and diverse client populations, as well as the role of supervision. You’ll also examine emerging issues like working with perpetrators of crime, climate anxiety, and the risks of new technologies, such as AI and chatbots in counselling.
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.