Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills

Did you realise that in the 21st century one in four people will suffer from mental illness sometime during their lifetime? Mental illness will be the number one demand on the National Health Service in the next 50 years. The UK workforce has the longest working week in Europe, unemployment is a continuing threat and family commitments and relationships can be put under extreme pressure in today’s society. All of this points to an increasing need for people to talk to somebody through their problems, however, without finding someone with proper training this could cause more harm than good. All of Gloucestershire College’s counselling courses are approved by the CPCAB which is the nationally approved awarding body for professional counsellors. So what are the qualities needed to be a good counsellor? You’ll need to have respect for clients, good listening skills, be non-judgemental and have empathy. You need to be self-aware, mature and able to make use of your own life experiences. Confidentiality, professionalism and a sense of humour are key. The Award in Introduction to Counselling is your first step to finding out if counselling is for you. This 30 hour part time course will give initial experience of counselling skills for those who wish to help others in a voluntary or employed situation. It leads to an award with CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) The course consists of the following units: - use initial counselling skills safely - establish the helping interaction - communicate understanding of the other person's concerns - focus on the other person's agenda - use initial counselling skills with self awareness - use initial counselling skills within the helping interaction - use study skills within the learning process Students have to demonstrate evidence of competence for each unit. This is done by attending the class sessions, undertaking skills practice, writing a learning review and completing a short written assignment which is assess externally. In addition to the 30 hours classroom time, learners should allow 30 hours additional study time over the life of the course.

See individual course descriptions.

Introductory level and specialist courses can be enrolled direct with Student Services on 0845 155 2020 · Effective Listening Taster · Introduction to Counselling Skills No previous training or experience in counselling is required but a genuine interest in developing counselling skills to help others is essential. A minimum of level 1 literacy is desirable. · Cogitative Behavioural Therapy · Understanding Substance Misuse No previous training or experience required.

General progression route wll be: · Effective Listening Taster · Introduction to Counselling Skills · Counselling Skills (Level 2) · Counselling Studies (Level 3) · Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (level 4) · Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Counselling (level 5) [validated by the University of Gloucestershire] · BA Hons Therapeutic Counselling with the University of Gloucestershire Additional specialist courses in related subjects include: · Cognitive Behavioural Therapy · Understanding Substance Misuse

Student Andrea said Cooper said: "After attending the introduction course in Counselling it made me want to go the distance and continue my Journey in becoming a Counsellor. Each week I discovered what qualities were needed to be able to do this. I learned a range of counselling skills, active listening, communication and interaction skills, some of these I already had I was just shown how to use them correctly to build relationships. Being guided by my tutor week by week was so helpful. It also helped me to learn about myself whilst I was learning and found the course to be very effective. By the end of the course you know if Counselling is for you."

Please contact the College on 0845 155 2020 for further details