Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

CSK-L2

If you want to become a counsellor the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is the foundation for professional counselling practice as well as providing the essential listening and communicating skills used by helping professionals. ( Course awaiting centre recognition)

It equals 17 credits and includes 90 guided learning hours.  It is the first compulsory qualification in the CPCAB award framework on your progression to becoming a qualified counsellor.

The course covers seven core units, each of which is broken down into several distinct learning criteria.

The core units will enable students to:

• Use counselling skills ethically and safely.

• Establish and sustain the boundaries of the helping role.

• Work empathically as a helper.

• Focus on the client’s needs and concerns.

• Use self-awareness in helping work.

• Use a range of counselling skills.

• Use feedback and reflection to enhance counselling skills.

A typical course session will be as follows:

• Check-in to help students focus, practice listening to others and articulate feelings and thoughts in a group without interruption.

• Teaching of specific topic which will be introduced by the tutor.

• Activities relating to the topic in small groups or pairs, occasionally individually with group discussion and contributions from all students to embed new knowledge.

• Skills practice in triads, taking turns being client, counsellor (helper) and observer.

• Reflections on the session’s new learning and relevant criteria focus.

• Check-out to ensure all students are good to go.

Tutors

Principal Tutor: Teresa Harkes (CPCAB approved tutor, L4 DIP. Therapeutic Counselling. L4 CERT. Education and Training)

Reserve Tutor / Internal Verifier:  Anne Connolly (CPCAB accredited tutor, Transactional Analysis Clinical Supervisor, Berne Institute, CBT Practitioner)

Reserve Tutor : Nicky Walker ( CPCAB approved tutor, BA (Hons), MA, MBACP (Accred), Dip Supervision

Internal Moderator: Nicola Ovington. Person-Centred Counsellor.

Entry Requirements

All students must be 18 years or over.

No previous training is required to undertake this qualification however we must state that this course is not suitable for anyone who is currently in emotional or psychological difficulty.

The course will involve experiential elements and personal disclosure as well as willingness for personal development.

The practical element of the course will require you to bring your ‘real life’ issues for counselling, not role play. 

You will be invited for an informal interview where we can discuss the specific elements of this course and your suitability to engage with this type of learning.    

Details

Fees for L2 Courses

2024 - £850 payable in instalments of 2 x £285, 1x £280

There is also a registration fee payable to the awarding body, CPCAB of £182 for Level 2 courses.

The registration fee and first instalment is payable on the first day of the course.

The second and third instalments will be payable on weeks 5 and 9 of the course.

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

CST -L3

North Lakes Counselling and Training are looking forward to delivering a progression route to their learners in the years to come.

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST L-3).     The awarding body is CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).   The CPCAB is the UK’s leading awarding body specialised in counselling, offering vocational qualifications in over 300 centers throughout the UK and overseas.  The CPCAB is the only awarding body run by counsellors for counsellors.

Time and Venue:   Hunter Hall School, Penrith, CA11 9EL

                                  Thursday 5.45-9.45pm.   We will begin and end promptly. 

 Dates of Sessions:  September ‘24- January ‘25

Please note that there is a minimum attendance requirement of 80% on the course.

Course Entry Requirements:

   All students must be 19 years or over.  It is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised counselling skills qualification at L2 with a minimum of 75 guided learning hours and evidence of assessed skills practice.  We must state that this course is not suitable for anyone who is currently in emotional or psychological difficulty.  The course will involve experiential elements and personal disclosure as well as willingness for personal development. The practical element of the course will require you to bring your ‘real life’ issues for counselling, not role play.  You will be invited for an informal interview where we can discuss the specific elements of this course and your suitability to engage with this type of learning.       

 About the Qualification:   

 The Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised qualification in counselling skills and want to take the next step in  training towards becoming a counsellor.  It is designed as a pre -practitioner training for professional counselling qualifications, but can also lead to employment in a related field and prepares the candidate for working as a counsellor in an agency setting.  On the Level 3 course you will learn about theories of counselling practice, ethics and mental health.  It equals 20 credits and includes 90 guided learning hours.  It is the second compulsory qualification in the CPCAB award framework on your progression to becoming a qualified counsellor. 

Progression Opportunities:

North Lakes Counselling and Training are looking forward to providing a progression route to their learners in the years to come.  Successful candidates from any CST-L3 course can progress to a Level 4 Course in Counselling Studies – TC-L4 at any CPCAB center running this course. 

This qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised qualification in counselling skills 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 qualification does not lead to employment.  It is designed as a pre-practitioner training for professional counselling qualifications, but it could also lead to employment in a related field.

Course Fee Structure:

The course fee for 2024-2025 is £960 payable in instalments of 3 x £320

There is also a registration fee payable to the awarding body, CPCAB of £189 for Level 3 courses.

The registration fee and first instalment is payable on the first day of the course.   The second and third instalments will be payable on the 10th and 15th week of the course.  You will be given notice of these dates. 

September  2024:  Registration fee:  £189

 1St Instalment due Sept 7th           £320

2nd Instalment due Oct. 3rd:        £320

3rd Instalment due Nov. 7th:        £320

Course text book: Counselling Skills and Studies 3rd Edition.   Fiona Ballantine Dykes. 

Suggested reading list:  Counselling Skills and Theory 4th Edition.  Margaret Hough

Internal Assessment:

At North Lakes Counselling and Training assessment is an ongoing process with students encouraged to monitor their own developments as learners and in the area of self-awareness that is so vital for skills development. 

Students will be required to keep a journal of their reflections on their learning journey. The Reflective Learning Journal (RLJ) is a vital part of the course as it develops self-awareness and self-reflection.  The RLJ will be subject to assessment by the tutors and moderator and our confidentiality is assured at all times with regard to its content.  The RLJ will also be available to view by the external assessor.  Students will also be required to submit:

·         Two Assignments

Assignment 1: Research of an Agency that provides Counselling Services

Assignment 2:  Me as a Counsellor An exploration of my future as a counsellor 

·         One Self Review . The self-review is an account of the new learning, personal development and insights that the student has experienced on the course.  Areas of interest and difficulty can be highlighted here and a clearer picture of the students future path can emerge.

·         Case Presentation:  An exploration of all aspects of students working therapeutically with a peer with reference to ethics, theory, stages of the counselling relationship, diversity etc. (set 23/09/21, due 18/11/21)

·         RLJ completed by the end of the course comprised of journal entries, one per session containing reflections on students learning, thoughts and feelings.

To gain the qualification you will need to evidence your learning through set criteria.  These criteria will be set out in the Candidate Learning Record as learning outcomes.  Each learning outcome will require two pieces of evidence that the learning has been achieved.  This can come from the students reflections in their Reflective Learning Journal, or from paper based activities during the session, e.g. tutor and peer feedback forms, topic based activities, tutor feedback on assignments and presentations.