Build a strong foundation in core counselling skills and ethical awareness. Ideal for beginners or those in helping roles, this course develops practical listening and communication skills you can use immediately and prepares you for progression onto a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Counselling.

What you’ll learn

• Core skills: active listening, empathy, reflecting, summarising, questioning

• Ethics and boundaries: confidentiality, safeguarding, ethical practice

• Self-awareness: reflective practice and personal development

• Working with diversity and difference

• Explore major counselling approaches and their application in practice.

• This qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised qualification in counselling skills (Level 2 Counselling Skills course) and want to:

  • Take the next step in training to become a counsellor.

  • Learn more about counselling theory, ethics and mental health.

  • Be prepared for work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting.

• This course is also ideal for individuals working in helping professions, or anyone wishing to develop their understanding of counselling theory, practice, and personal growth.

• Core counselling skills: active listening, empathy, reflecting, summarising, gentle questioning

• Counselling Theories: A solid understanding of the three main approaches to counselling: Psychodynamic Theory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Humanistic approach ( Person Centred, Gestalt, Existentialism)

• Ethical understanding: confidentiality, safeguarding, boundaries,limits of competence, BACP-aligned practice

• Increased self-awareness and personal development through reflective learning

• Enhanced communication, listening, and interpersonal skills

• Greater confidence in building effective helping relationships

• An understanding of diversity, equality, and inclusion in counselling practice.

• Skills for working with diversity and difference

• Practical experience of using counselling skills in a safe learning environment.

• Practical tools for managing sessions (goal-setting, note-taking, contracting basics)

• Techniques for emotional regulation and self-care as a helper

• Transferable relationship skills for work and life

• Skills in giving and receiving constructive feedback to support personal and professional growth

• An understanding of the role of supervision and reflective practice in counselling

• A CPCAB-recognised Level 3 qualification (CSK-L3) and completed learner portfolio

• Clear progression route and readiness for a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
  
  

• Accreditation: Our certificate is accredited (pending) by the Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), ensuring high-quality training that meets professional standards.

• Flexible Learning: We are the ONLY training provider that offers this course solely ONLINE. The online format allows you to study at your own pace while still engaging with peers and instructors through virtual discussions and feedback sessions.

• Practical Application: Emphasis on hands-on practice with opportunities to apply techniques in simulated scenarios and real-life situations.

• Length: The course comprises of 5 hours per for 18 weeks. Running from February 2027 to June 2027.

Learn from experienced practitioners Alex & Amie who bring real-world insights and expertise to the classroom.

The course fees for 2026/2027 are £810.00 plus the CPCAB candidate registration fee £195. Course fees are non-refundable. By booking a place on the course, you are agreeing to these terms.

A non-refundable £500 deposit is required to secure a place, to be paid at time of booking. The total fee for our Level 3 Counselling Skills course is £1005.00. We offer a payment plan to help you manage your investment:

• A deposit of £500 is required to secure your place.

• Following the deposit, there are 4 further payments of £126.25, due on the 1st of the following months.

Due to the length of the course we can only split the cost over 4 months.

This payment structure allows you to spread the cost in instalments while securing your spot on the course.

Level 3 Counselling Studies (CSK‑L3) work requirements:

• Attendance: minimum 80–90% of taught sessions

• Guided learning hours: approx. 90 GLH; self‑study/reading: approximately 6 hours/week

• Skills practice: regular triads/pairs; observed skills sessions with tutor feedback

• Portfolio (Candidate Learning Record): evidence mapped to all learning outcomes, including:

  • Reflective learning journal

  • Self‑reviews and action plans

  • Tutor observation reports

  • Assignments

  • Skills practice and observations

• Engagement: active participation, giving/receiving feedback, adherence to confidentiality and ethical practice

• No client placement hours required at Level 3

• Progression: must pass internal portfolio to progress to a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma

• Assessments include:

  • Skills practice: regular triads/pairs; tutor‑observed sessions (no client placement at L3); Peer feedback; self-evaluation

  • Portfolio (Candidate Learning Record) mapped to all learning outcomes, typically including:

    • 2 Assignments

    • Reflective learning journal and self‑reviews/action plans

    • Theory worksheets/short essays (comparing humanistic, psychodynamic, CBT)

    • 1 Practice case presentation

    • Research task/reading and evidence of participation

    • Peer feedback Skills Practice

    • Tutor-observed counselling practice session

    • Tutorial Records

• Fill in the online application form below and send your personal statement to info@globaltherapytraining.com

• If you meet the initial entry requirements we will offer you a conditional place on the course and send you a Training Contract.

• To accept your offer of a place you will need to sign and return your Training Contract together with a £500 non-refundable* deposit.

• We will then seek a reference from your most recent tutor/employer and arrange an interview with one of the course tutors.

* The deposit is non-refundable unless either i) the course is cancelled or ii) The reference is not satisfactory/the interview is not successful. In these cases a refund will be issued.