Counselling Level 3 (QLS) Course

Embark on a transformative learning journey with the UK’s most innovative home study provider, offering courses designed to unlock your true potential and facilitate the career change you desire. Access our distance learning courses directly from anywhere, anytime, and acquire industry-recognised Professional Qualifications essential for advancing in your career.

Specifically, explore the flexible and convenient Counselling (Level 3) course, an ideal way to gain a diploma qualification. Whether you aim for further education, improved job prospects, or expanded knowledge, this comprehensive course allows you to prepare thoroughly for exams or careers through home study. Plus, it’s structured to be accessible and beneficial even if you have no prior knowledge in Counselling.

Commencing the Level 3 Diploma in Counselling represents a profound journey into the essentials of counselling, making it an invaluable pursuit for individuals aspiring to enter the counselling profession, particularly in the private sector. This comprehensive course transcends traditional counselling approaches by offering an intricate examination of various problems encountered by counsellors and providing a detailed overview of critical aspects such as body language and business planning for those contemplating private practice. The course’s holistic approach extends beyond theoretical concepts, inviting students to introspectively analyse their own lives, fostering personal development and self-awareness. This foundational module prepares students to navigate the complexities of counselling, equipping them not only with practical skills but also with the ability to understand and manage their own thoughts, goals, and interpersonal relationships.

The Level 3 Diploma comprises nine sub-modules, each intricately designed to offer a well-rounded understanding of counselling principles and practices. The initial module, “Counselling and You,” lays the groundwork for the entire course by introducing modern counselling concepts and differentiating advice, guidance, and counselling. This section is a comprehensive personal development course, guiding students through private learning sessions to enhance self-awareness and goal-setting abilities. “Essential Qualities” delves into the attributes crucial for effective counselling, prompting students to examine their thoughts and empathetic capacities. Moving forward, “Interviewing a Client” provides insights into building key client relationships, maintaining trust, delivering quality services, and managing client expectations.

The subsequent modules delve into specific counselling scenarios, addressing topics such as depression, stress, suicide, relationships, sexuality, death, bereavement, drugs, alcohol, and financial problems. Each module provides practical techniques for drawing information from clients and aiding them in navigating complex emotional states. The course culminates in exploring counselling ethics and administration, with a focus on professional codes of ethics and the necessary documentation for starting a counselling practice. A noteworthy addition is the “Counselling Administration” section, covering essential forms and processes for counselling practices, followed by a comprehensive “Plan for Business” module to guide students in planning and rationalising the business aspects of counselling.

The course assessment methodology, with assignments following the completion of each unit, enables students to reinforce their understanding through practical application. The assignments, while not contributing to the final grade, serve as a valuable tool for tutors to provide personalised guidance and feedback. The culmination of the course is an online examination, ensuring a thorough evaluation of the student’s grasp of counselling principles. This Level 3 Diploma thus stands as a transformative educational experience, not just imparting theoretical knowledge but equipping individuals with the practical skills and ethical foundations needed for a successful career in counselling. Enrolling in this course opens the door to a profound exploration of the counselling profession, providing a robust foundation for personal and professional growth.

QLS & OPA

Digital certificate - Included

Course Key Topics

the Counselling (Level 3) course is divided into 10 modules.

Module 1: Introduction to Counselling
This Module provides the foundations for the rest of the course and gives the student an idea of the kind of work they will be doing as a counsellor if they choose to work in the profession. This Module will also focus upon the qualities a counsellor must demonstrate to help their clients successfully and professionally. Confidentiality is discussed along with breaking confidentiality.

Module 2: Individuals and Groups
This Module discusses how to build key client relationships, maintaining confidence and trust of clients, delivering quality services, and managing client expectations. It details the counsellor’s office and placement of furniture, how to use open questions and how to summarise the client’s answers to show a high level of understanding.

This Module will focus on how to build client relationships, maintaining confidence and trust of clients, delivering quality services, managing client expectations, and achieving value-added contribution raising client satisfaction.

Objectives of Module:

• Building the client / consultant relationship
• Understanding the client
• Building trust and confidence
• Phases of the relationship
• Understanding problems
• The meaning and importance of quality

Groups are very complex entities, requiring special skills and interactions. This Module will look at group behaviour in depth and study some of the most influential theories. Working as part of a group requires individuals to set aside their own personal desires and take on those of the whole group; within this there is room for a subsection of ‘personal goals’.

This Module will specifically examine cohesion and leadership. In any group, there has to be a leader, or ‘leaders’. This can pose problems of poor relationship building, lack of respect, hierarchical issues, and some basic clashes or resentments.

Module 3: Reappraisal, Functions, and Theories; The Five Approaches
This Module looks in detail at the five theories which have been adopted as approaches in counselling. In this Module the work of Freud, Rogers, Skinner, Ellis, Jung and Eagan will be looked at in brief, and the corresponding counselling approaches examined.

Module 4: The Psychodynamic Approach Relevant to Counselling
This Module will study the Psychodynamic approach to counselling will look at how it applies to the counselling situation. Specific examples will give the student indications as to which particular set of client circumstances benefits most from this approach.

Module 5: The Cognitive Behavioural Approach relevant to Counselling
This Module will study the Cognitive Behavioural approach to counselling will look at how it applies to the counselling situation. Specific examples will give the student indications as to which particular set of client circumstances benefits most from this approach.

Module 6: The Person Centred Approach Relevant to Counselling
This Module will study the Person Centred approach to counselling will look at how it applies to the counselling situation. Specific examples will give the student indications as to which particular set of client circumstances benefits most from this approach.

Module 7: Various Outlines: Part 1
This module of the course offers the student information highlighting various situations that they may come across in their work as a counsellor. Being able to discuss different feelings and record signs is paramount to the effective counsellor.

Having a working understanding of different symptoms allows the counsellor to understand what the client may be feeling and guide them towards seeing their problem, understanding it, and working through the feelings. Depression, Stress, and Suicide are all discussed in this module.

Relationships may be the leading cause of a person’s loss of confidence and as a counsellor may come up against this problem with numerous clients, an understanding of how human beings relate to each other is crucial. This module explores relationships, how important they may be in a person’s life, and what kinds of problems may occur.

As ‘sexuality’ describes the way in which a person expresses themselves as a sexual being, it is important that the counsellor understands sexuality and how important it is for a human to understand and be comfortable with theirs.

Module 8: Various Outlines: Part 2
Death and bereavement are explored here starting with the stages of dying and the tasks of mourning.

Those who are bereaved need their own time to pass through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The counsellor must understand these steps in order to counsel a bereaved client, and gaining understanding aids in the counsellor’s ability to empathise.

Drugs and alcohol are explored in this module from their descriptions to the effects they have on humans. Long term and short term effects are discussed along with support counselling for drug dependency.

The student will absorb information on:

• Alcohol
• Inhalants
• Cannabis
• Depressants
• Cocaine
• Narcotics
• Designer drugs

Financial problems can arise for a number of reasons and can be devastating for anyone.

Module 9: Counselling Ethics
A counsellor must adhere to a strict code of ethics when dealing with the vulnerable, and the student will gain the knowledge of what is expected of them if they choose to take on this role.

This module will discuss boundaries or limitations and will look at how to recognise and deal with these. It will also look at what types of consent and responsibilities the counsellor must seek when building up a trusting and communicative relationship with clients.

Module 10: Counselling Administration and Personal Development
The responsibilities of the Counsellor are many but can be broken down into sections for ease of understanding. These stand as:

• General Responsibilities and Obligations
• Counsellor Support and Competence
• Client Safety and Autonomy
• Permissions and Boundaries
• Confidentiality Requirements and Management

The last part of this course is six modules based on the counsellor’s ‘Self Development’. This part of the course is for the student alone, and the student will not be assessed on this information. There is ‘Action Learning’ throughout the course which prompts the student to examine their own feelings and discuss what they believe to be their goals. Their present abilities are questioned, and they are asked to focus on their inner feeling and examine past situations in their lives.

What Will You Learn?

• In the Counselling (Level 3) course, participants will embark on a comprehensive journey into the principles and practices of counselling within the British cultural context.
• This course is designed to equip individuals with the essential skills necessary for empathetic and effective counselling.
• Participants will delve into the art of active listening, mastering communication techniques, and understanding the ethical considerations inherent in counselling relationships.
• The curriculum covers diverse therapeutic approaches, allowing learners to explore and apply methods suited for various counselling scenarios.
• Whether aspiring to become a professional therapist, healthcare practitioner, or simply seeking to enhance interpersonal skills, this Level 3 course provides a robust foundation in the art of counselling, fostering personal and professional growth in the realm of human connection and emotional support.

Target Audience

• The Counselling (Level 3) course caters to a diverse audience within the British context, encompassing individuals with a sincere interest in the field of counselling.
• Tailored for aspiring therapists, healthcare professionals, and those passionate about providing empathetic support, this course offers a comprehensive and culturally sensitive foundation in counselling principles.
• It is ideal for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of human emotions and relationships, providing essential skills in active listening, effective communication, and the ethical application of therapeutic approaches.
• Whether you aim to pursue a career in counselling, enhance existing professional skills, or simply cultivate a deeper understanding of the human psyche, our Level 3 course provides a transformative learning experience for anyone dedicated to making a positive impact through the art of counselling.

• The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Counselling (Level 3) and would like to take part in a highly rewarding distance learning study course.
• We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.
• You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

Counselling psychologists work with clients to help them improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing