Level 4 Therapeutic Counselling Course in Poole. Classes run at Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education one day a week, daytime, so you can balance study with other commitments. The course covers humanistic integrative approaches including Person Centred, Existential, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt methods. You'll also complete a counselling placement, a minimum of 100 client hours, and at least 40 sessions of personal therapy. Entry requires a Certificate in Counselling Skills and a Certificate in Counselling Studies, or equivalent training of at least 165 hours. The course runs over two years and includes at least 420 hours of training.
Who this course is for
This qualification is intended for candidates who want to train to become a counsellor working in a counselling service agency. Successful completion of this course means that the trainees will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service within the context of an agency's service framework. Over the two years this course provides at least 420 hours of Humanistic Integrative training.
For information on the next course please email [email protected]
In addition to the normal College attendance hours (one day a week 09.30 - 16.30) you will need time and additional finance for the following:
*Counselling placement - students find their own placement with the support of the course tutors and the college has strong links with many local counselling and volunteer organisations *Client work - a minimum of 100 client hours throughout the duration of the course *Supervision - is usually provided within the placement (90 minutes a month) *Personal Therapy - a minimum of 40 sessions of personal therapy on a weekly continuous basis with the same therapist. (Costs of therapy are met by the student) *Personal study and research *Books and study materials
Entry requirements
You will need to attend a breifing, and need to have successfully completed the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body courses of Certificate in Counselling Skills and Certificate in Counselling Studies or equivalent skills and theory training of at least 165 hours.
The College take the health, safety and well being of students very seriously. If you have recently experienced a significant life event (e.g. bereavement, divorce, arrest, court proceedings, etc.), are currently suffe
What you will learn
You'll develop skills to work ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor.
You'll learn how to build and maintain a therapeutic counselling relationship with clients.
You'll practise working with client diversity in a counselling context.
You'll apply a user-centred approach to counselling practice.
You'll build self-awareness and use it within the counselling process.
You'll work within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills.
You'll develop the ability to reflect on your own practice as a counsellor.
How you will learn
You'll attend one full day of classes per week at the college (09.30 to 16.30). Learning is assessed across seven units, with competency demonstrated in each. Alongside classroom study, you'll complete a counselling placement, supervised client work, and personal therapy sessions. You'll also carry out personal study and research throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
You'll need to budget for personal therapy sessions (a minimum of 40 sessions, costs met by the student), books, and study materials. You'll also need to arrange your own counselling placement, though course tutors and the college can support you with this. Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education will confirm any other requirements before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Counsellor. Work with clients in an agency or counselling service setting.
Volunteer counsellor. Provide support through a charity or community organisation.
Employee assistance counsellor. Deliver counselling through workplace wellbeing programmes.
Bereavement counsellor. Support people through grief and loss.
Student counsellor. Work within a school, college, or university setting.
What you could study next
Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling. A natural next step if you want to deepen your practice or work toward professional registration.
BACP accreditation. After building your client hours post-qualification, you can apply for accredited membership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Postgraduate study in Counselling or Psychotherapy. Some universities accept this Diploma as a route into a master's-level programme.
