Foundation in Counselling (Level 3 equivalent), London

Begin your journey with our foundation course in Counselling Skills (Quality Checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society).

This course is suitable for people who are interested in joining our Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accred (Level 4 equivalent).

A creative mix of theory, skills and personal awareness.

Start dates throughout the year

Next weekend course in London starts:

  • 9th September 2023, one weekend per month

 

Next weekday course: to be announced – To register your interest without obligation, please  click here

This course is also available in Devon, West Yorkshire, Birmingham and nationally online.

 

Overview

If you are ready to embark on a course which gives you the essential theories and skills involved in becoming a counsellor, then our Foundation in Counselling (Level 3 equivalent) is for you. The training also aims to prepare you to progress your journey to our Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accredited (Level 4 equivalent) which would be the next step to becoming a professional counsellor.

The course is 15 sessions of experiential, creative training days, one day per week or one weekend per month over approximately 6 months in central London, Devon, West Yorkshire and Birmingham.

This course is also available nationally online, evening classes take place on one evening per week (including one full day Saturday class). Morning classes take place one morning per week (including one full day Saturday class).

No prior experience is required, as this course is a comprehensive and complete foundation into counselling.

This course has been Quality Checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). This course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor.

Suitable for people engaged in a caring or therapeutic role, anyone working in a people focused environment or anyone interested in counselling skills, the course attracts people with diverse professional and personal backgrounds. It offers the opportunity to enhance further career and life skills, and can be a stepping stone to accessing counselling and therapeutic professions.

Course Details

A 15 session course, running one day a week or one weekend per month over approximately 6 months.

Daytime classes take place from 10am – 4:30pm each day.

Next course in Regent’s Park, central London:

  • 9th September 2023, one weekend per month

 

This course is also available nationally online, evening classes take place on one evening per week (including one full day Saturday class). Morning classes take place one morning per week (including one full day Saturday class).

A course that is Quality Checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, you will learn how to create a safe space for counselling and a range of therapeutic skills and techniques to explore client issues.

This course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor.

This course is suitable for people who are looking to start our Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accred (Level 4 equivalent). Please contact us to discuss this further.

This course will be beneficial for anybody working in the caring profession. It will give you important skills which are of great value in your life as well as the workplace!

A perfect place to begin if you are looking for a change in career path!

Venues

This course is professional delivered by our experienced tutors and is available to study either in central London, Devon, West Yorkshire or Birmingham.

The London venue is situated in the heart of the peaceful Regent’s Park – a unique location ideal for counselling training in the capital.

Find out where we are.

In all our venues students have access to outdoor and indoor light and warm recreational space.

Heartwood, Devon, is situated on the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate, just on the outskirts of Totnes in the South Devon countryside.

Our West Yorkshire venue is situated in the picture postcard town of Holmfirth sitting in the heart of the breath-taking Holme Valley in West Yorkshire.

The Birmingham venue is situated in the idyllic leafy Edgbaston area which is part of the University of Birmingham and is surrounded by beautiful gardens to perfectly complement Heartwood training.

Course Calendar:

Please click on the below link to view and download the course calendar for upcoming courses:

9th September 2023 – Weekend – London

 

Entry requirements

No prior knowledge or experience required to enrol on this course.

There is no requirement for an interview, however we are always happy to show people around our beautiful centre, if you would like to come and visit us just let us know.

Level 2 is not a requirement to join this course.

Applications welcome over the age of 19yrs.

No prior profession or academic attainment is required.

Syllabus

The Foundation in Counselling (Level 3 equivalent) course furthers our understanding and knowledge of ourselves and counselling concepts, theory and skills.

Heartwood’s theoretical approach presented on the course is both Integrative and Holistic. We will look at integrating models, techniques, theories and a range of modalities that suit the individual client. Whilst working on developing relationship skills which will aid therapeutic work.

We will cover a range of approaches including Gestalt Therapy, Person Centred Therapy and Mindfulness based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

We will work with the full perception of the client, their world from their eyes, adapting our methods to accommodate our client’s needs and working with the way a client’s problems may present as:

  • Thoughts – fixed beliefs or negative ideas, old messages (introjects).
  • Emotions – grief, anger, sadness, regret, guilt, shame.
  • Physical – panic attacks, insomnia, eating disorders, self-harm.
  • Spiritual – hopes, dreams, aspirations, purpose.

This course further develops counselling, communication and listening skills through the following client centred practices; effective questioning and working at an appropriate pace, managing silence, active listening and minimal encouragement prompts, paraphrasing and summarising, attentiveness and rapport building, empathetic listening, checking for understanding and focusing.

Content

  • Drama Triangle
  • Self-awareness development – experiential exercises
  • Therapeutic skills and interventions
  • Techniques to explore client issues
  • Create a safe space for counselling – setting clear boundaries
  • Personal & professional conduct and creating a therapy contract
  • How people gain support
  • Holding emotional space
  • Deepening congruence and becoming authentic in relationships
  • Exploring challenging emotions

Assessment

  • A minimum of 85% attendance on tuition days
  • Completion of learning journals
  • Completion of course assignments
  • Demonstration of practical skills throughout
  • Active participation in experiential aspects of the training

We create a supportive learning environment here at Heartwood and will guide learners through their studies.

Fees

Full course fees are £1295

There are two ways to secure your place on this course:

  • Pay £1295 in full now
  • Pay deposit of £445 followed by a monthly payment plan of £222.50* for 4 months. *(includes an administration fee of £40 for instalment payments).

What Students Say

“It was over too quickly, the tutor was wonderful and really supported me. I have met some wonderful people on this course who are also going onto the level 4 course with me, I can’t wait, I am hooked!”

Justine 2018

Register your interest

To register your interest in this course without obligation, please click here

Enrol

To enrol on this course, please select your payment method below and then select ‘Buy now’ to proceed.