Students on the Certificate in Introductory Counselling Skills develop knowledge and practical skills in counselling, mental health, and personal development. This training helps them to perform more effectively as helpers in a variety of caring and pastoral roles and it prepares them to pursue further training in counselling and psychotherapy. It is suitable for people working in many diverse front-facing, support, or interpersonal contexts. Examples include administration, childcare, community work, construction, creative arts, education, frontline roles, healthcare, hospitality, management, media, nursing, pastoral roles, health and beauty industry, caring work, and sport. The programme meets the learning needs of workers and volunteers in these fields, in a flexible and accessible manner. It enhances the provision of care by developing practitioner skills and knowledge in counselling and mental health, and by deepening practitioner self-awareness and reflectiveness. The programme is delivered through a blend of face-to-face and online learning classes and activities, which suits part-time participants. The ethos of the Course Team is Humanistic. We value each learner's life experience, and we provide opportunities that will enable students to develop their potential, in a climate of acceptance, and openness. Our lectures are informed by scientific research in psychology and counselling, and our practical workshops offer experiential learning, creative practices, digital technologies, simulations, and experiential exercises. Using innovative, interactive, and engaging activities we acknowledge, respect, and support diversity in learning and personal development. Programme StructureOur course is part time and runs for 4 semesters over 2 years. These semesters run from September to December and from February to May of each year. It is delivered through Blended Learning meaning that some of the teaching happens online and some of it happens face to face. You will study 8 modules in total, covering practical counselling skills, psychology, counselling theory, and personal development including Mindfulness. In addition, all students need to undertake some personal therapy as a course requirement. This is arranged externally by the learner and at their own expense. You will have access to a dedicated online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle where you will find resources such as lecture notes, schedules, videos, reading material, recordings of lectures, and a class chat forum. You may also wish to buy some textbooks, or these can be borrowed from the Yeats Library or sourced second hand at affordable prices. Your lecturers will also provide you with lots of web-based resources to support your learning. Here are two books we use in Year One, for example:- Basic Counselling Skills: A Helper's Manual by Richard Nelson-Jones- Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World [With CD] by Mark Williams Key skills that you can expect to acquire on this course:Foundation level counselling skills like empathic attunement and active listening.Self-awareness, reflexiveness, and Mindfulness.Communication skillsUnderstanding of human psychologyAcademic writing and critical thinking skillsInformation technology (IT) skillsPractical organisational and study skills
| Course Category | Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Course Type | Online Learning |
| Course Start Date | 1st January 1970 |
| Course Duration | 2 years |
| Course Fee | 3000 |
| Entry Requirements | We particularly welcome mature applicants and those who can demonstrate relevant prior learning, life experience, and/or practical understanding. The entry requirements include: Minimum age of 21 at time of registration Successful interview at which applicants must demonstrate appropriate work, educational, and helper/ care experience Two written character references Leaving Certificate or equivalent Garda Vetting (This is completed following registration on the course) Please Note: In line with best practice in counselling skills training, we will endeavour to avoid assigning participants or staff with close personal/ professional relationships to the same training group. If this situation arises we will work hard to accommodate candidates but may not always be able to progress their application. |
| Career Path | The knowledge and skills developed by graduates of this certificate course will be of value in roles in a range of areas including community development, disability, educational, family support, healthcare, lifelong learning, older persons, social care, youth work, and other volunteering, pastoral care, and support settings. Graduates have gained employment in roles such as special needs assistant, mental health advocate, and social care positions. This Certificate in Introductory Counselling Skills is not a professional qualification in Counselling and graduates are not qualified to practice as professional counsellors. However on completion, many of our graduates have successfully applied to progress onto professional counselling courses thereby achieving the qualifications to work as therapists in areas such as; private practice, health care, social services, schools, third level institutions, and community organisations. |
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