COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY COURSE

This combined with “unique” practical training, in which you will be allocated a client who you will assist via the telephone (subject to you passing your interview), will allow you to take the first steps to becoming a qualified Counsellor.

You will notice from the table below that maximum limits are set on all assessment elements. That’s because, again, they feel that accreditation shouldn’t just be about quantity of work done. For example, 200 placement hours done badly for accreditation purposes are not as valuable to a counsellor (or their clients) as 50 hours done well.

 

 

You will be monitored carefully by your tutor and feedback sheets submitted as part of your portfolio.

If you are currently in employment and find that your day-to-day job involves helping people such as nurses, then we will ask you to complete a record of your “face to face” counselling which will go towards your total hours when you wish to become a member of any professional body.

On successful completion of the home study courses students will receive a recognised level 4 award (Comparable to working at NVQ Level 4).

The Course Includes the Following Units:-

• Unit 1 – The Basics of Counselling & Psychotherapy

The following topics are covered: What is counselling and psychotherapy?; When is a counsellor not ready to counsel?; and Who needs counselling?.

• Unit 2 – Models & Approaches of Therapy

The following topics are covered: CBT; Hypnotherapy; DBT; Drama and art therapy; Psychotherapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy; CAT; Person-Centred; Solution focused therapy; EMDR; and Gestalt therapy.

• Unit 3 – Types of Counselling

The following topics are covered: Addiction; Anxiety; Divorce; Stress; Sexual orientation; and PMS.

• Unit 4 – Accompanying Treatments

The following topics are covered: Antidepressants; Sleeping tablets; and Minor tranquilizers.

• Unit 5 – Mental Health Conditions

The following topics are covered: Depression; Eating disorders; Personality disorders; Schizophrenia; and Gender identity disorder.

• Unit 6 – Delivery of Counselling & Psychotherapy

The following topics are covered: Individual counselling; Group therapy; Couples therapy; Family therapy; Online counselling; Telephone counselling; SMS text counselling; and Video Counselling.

• Unit 7 – Listening Skills & Validation

The following topics are covered: Stages of listening; and Types of validation.

• Unit 8 – How to Help Someone in Crisis

The following topics are covered: Suicide; Self harm; Eating distress; and Relationship breakdown.

• Unit 9 – Common Problems in Counselling & Psychotherapy

The following topics are covered: Supervision; Communication problems; Power and control issues; Aggression; and Safety issues.

• Unit 10 – Abuse & Trauma

The following topics are covered: Staying safe; The Law; Sexual offences Act; Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims bill 2003; Rights of victims; Injunctions; Evidence; Court order; Reporting abuse; Inner child; After abuse; and Trauma work.

• Unit 11 – Useful Strategies

The following topics are covered: Toolbox; Halting protocol; Writing letters; Feeling safe; Transactional object; Breathing exercises; Mindfulness; Splitting; Projective identification; Stabilisation; Homework; Diary; and Boundaries.

• Unit 12 – Being a Therapist

The following topics are covered: Confidentiality; Registration and Accreditation; Insurance; Professional development; and Working ethically.

Pre-Requirements:

This is a Level Four course and as such will require students to have a good level of literacy and general education at least up to GCSE C grade. In other respects the home study courses are open to any one with a genuine and positive attitude to the subject, and no prior knowledge is needed.

Course Duration & Support:

Students may register at any time and have a full year to complete their studies. You also have access to a personal tutor by mail or email for a 12 month period. As the home study courses are self study you can complete in as little or as long a time as you prefer.

The course tutor has also set up a forum for all of their students studying Community, Mental Health & Psychiatry and other related courses. This will assist you with your studies, as not only will you get full support from a professional tutor for the duration of the course but you can also get help from and interact with other students. This is a great community for all those students who wish to interact with other students in the same situation as them, and get friendly advice, ideas and comments.

Assessment:

You will be assessed on coursework which is detailed in the course materials. Most coursework consists of short paragraph answers to set questions. Your work can be sent back to your course tutor by email or by post.

 

The award is issued through NCFE. NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.