Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills

This qualification is intended for people who want to:

• Learn the basic counselling skills of listening and responding in helping roles
• Find out more about counselling – this qualification won’t teach you to be a counsellor, but may help you decide whether or not you want to train as one
• Improve any/all relationships, both professional and personal

No previous training or experience is required to undertake this qualification. However, applicants are asked to consider the sensitive nature of the course and the ‘experiential elements’ that will involve some personal disclosure – and review their emotional readiness for this.

You will study and practice:

• How to work within the limitations of the helping role (and how this differs from counselling, coaching and friendship)
• How to establish boundaries for helping
• How to communicate empathetic understanding
• Focusing on the helpee’s agenda and needs
• The importance of self-awareness and the impact of personality
• Using effective listening and responding skills (including non-verbal communication, paraphrasing, posture, and open and closed questions)
• Using review, reflection and feedback to develop initial counselling skills

You will learn on site in a classroom environment.

There are no specialist requirements. 

You will build a portfolio of evidence of your knowledge and understanding and your tutor will assess your skills in practice scenarios, alongside some peer-assessed and self-reviewed activity.

Further Study

On completion of the Level 2 Award, you can progress straight to the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills to start your first level of training as a professional counsellor.

Careers

This qualification does not lead directly to an employed role. However, it could enhance an existing voluntary or paid role or increase your general employability.