Our Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accredited (Level 4 equivalent) will qualify you to work as a professional counsellor.
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This is a two year Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accredited (Level 4 equivalent) course, running one weekend a month for two years, and will qualify you to work as a professional counsellor.
The course follows an integrative approach, and draws from the traditions of Gestalt, CBT and Third Wave CBT, and Person Centred; which when combined create an holistic perspective which will allow you to successfully counsel clients experiencing a range of issues affecting their mind, body, spirit and emotions.
Our unique style of teaching allows for each student to develop at their own rate with full support from our tutors and student support team.
You will need to have completed a Level 3 Counselling Certificate or equivalent course. In cases where you have worked within the helping professions it is possible to gain access onto the course without having a level 3 certificate, however you will need a strong knowledge of the theories taught on the course and be able to evidence proficiency in core counselling skills. These applications will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Skills Assessment
We may invite you to a short online skills assessment session where you’ll be able to demonstrate your understanding of the core counselling skills with one of our Heartwood tutors ahead of an interview.
Interview
All students wishing to enrol will be invited to participate in an interview with one of our Lead Tutors. The interview is an opportunity for you and the Tutors to ascertain if you are ready for the course and to explore your reasons for applying.
These can take place via an interview at the centre, or online.
If you are interested in booking onto this course, please complete our Interview Application Form and email to enrolments@heartwoodcounselling.org. To request an interview time, please click here. Alternatively, to speak with our enrolment support officer Sarah, please call 01803 308 604.
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are only secured with a deposit and after successful completion of the interview procedure.
At Heartwood we aim to draw on your own desires and passion for the profession and encourage you to develop your own personal approach to the counselling work you do. We believe that our role is to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable you to develop into the best counsellor you can be.
Our training will teach you skills, and theories and provide you with many opportunities to develop yourself personally with a strong sense of belief in who you are and what you can offer your clients.
Weekend courses run one weekend a month for 20 weekends (40 scheduled classroom sessions) over two years, 9.30am to 6pm.
Plus, additional learning included with your enrolment:
This course is fully accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and, at the discretion of the Society, is a route onto a national government register of counsellors which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Course Details
Venues
Our West Yorkshire venue is situated in Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the charming village of West Bretton with easy access to nearby cities like Wakefield and Barnsley.
Find out where we are.
Course Calendar:
Please click on the below link to view and download the course calendar for upcoming courses:
Yorkshire – 20th September 2025 – one weekend per Month
Throughout both years there is a focus on theoretical knowledge, advancing your counselling skills in preparation for professional practice, and your own personal growth and development. Our tutors are fully qualified counsellors and will encourage you to seek out the more authentic you, and to celebrate your difference, uniqueness and honour the life challenges that will enable you to work effectively and from the heart.
Content
You will develop a solid understanding of:
To strengthen personal and professional development you will cover:
Developing Counselling skills with focus on:
Internal Assessment
The course requires the following:
External Assessment
The course requires the following;
Placement
We offer exceptional placement support – so, when you ae ready to build up your counselling skills and experience working with clients in year 2, you will have the support and guidance of a dedicated placements coordinator and team. There are also bi-monthly “Drop in Sessions” for those starting out or already on placements.
Payment options:
Full course fee which includes all learning support and sessions £5795.
Your place on the course is secured on receipt of the non-refundable deposit of £595 and completion of a satisfactory interview;
““Heartfelt thanks for all you have done over the last three years to help me during my training. I have so appreciated your support, encouragement and belief in me on this exciting journey.””
Once you have completed your training and are ready to start working professionally, we strongly recommend that you begin by working within an agency setting before considering private practice.
At this early stage of qualifying, you will already have completed the minimum 100 clinical placement hours. Working within an agency setting will strengthen your clinical skills, prepare you for working with a variety of issues and will provide continued support as you start out as a newly qualified counsellor.
There are many further opportunities for learning after qualifying to help you expand your knowledge and develop into more specialist areas. When you are ready to take the next step in your counselling journey, Heartwood can support you with our post qualifying specialist diplomas, simply click the course title below for further information or to register your interest;
We also offer regular CPD workshops, a great way to broaden your knowledge and skill set.
For support at any time you can contact us on 01803 308 604 and we will be happy to help.
To register your interest in our Heartwood North course, please click here
If you are interested in booking onto this course, to request an interview, please click here. Alternatively, to speak with our enrolment support officer Sarah, please call 01803 308 604.
To enrol on this course, please select your payment method below and then select ‘Buy now’ to proceed.
If you are interested in enrolling onto this course, you will need to complete an application form and sit an interview, please click here. Alternatively, to speak with our enrolment support officer Sarah, please call 01803 308 604.
Student Enquiries
Heartwood Counselling and Psychotherapy
Lower Close, Dartington Hall,
Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EN
Tel: 01803 865464 or 01803 308604
enquiries@heartwoodcounselling.org
Office hours* 9am – 5pm
Monday to Friday
*Out of term time, hours vary, but leave a message and we will return your call!
