The following will be covered in the course:

• Working within an ethical framework
• Understanding the counselling relationship
• Understanding difference and diversity issues to develop an empathic understanding
• Working collaboratively with clients
• Using counselling theory to understand yourself and your experiences
• Using counselling skills coherently
• Using study skills to help manage learning
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the theoretical approaches
• Understand counselling theories and approaches to mental health
• Introduction to clinical supervision 
• Assessment of practical work

After each session, a learning review (800-1000 words) will need to be completed.

• To have completed Level 2 in Counselling Skills or the equivalent amounting to a minimum of 75 Guided learning hours (tutor-led sessions)**
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop a personality suitable for helping work and a willingness to engage in personal therapy in the future
• Ability to translate intra-personal experience into language and written work
• Able to benefit from self-development
• Able to give and process feedback received in a non-defensive and constructive way
• Emotional stability*
• Evidence of personal insight and willingness to work on no-go areas
• Ability to form a helping relationship
• Able to form successful working relationships with peers which enables a thriving learning environment
• Awareness and ability to work with differences and diversity
• Able to cope with course content*
• Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
• Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
• Provide references from previous tutor/s if external to BCoT

*Disclaimer – Please note that if an applicant has experienced a significant life event in the last 6 months i.e., Bereavement or recovery from a mental health issue, the college has the right to refuse the application and will recommend deferring due to the demands of the course.

** This training must be from a recognised counselling training provider: recognised by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or UK Counsel for Psychotherapy (UKCP).  You will need to evidence that you have undertaken skills practice and personal development within this certification/qualification.

While a qualification in nursing, social work, psychology or similar will support your learning and understanding of some of the theories studied in counselling they will not have given you adequate client/help contact nor developed your self-awareness / personal development.  You may have undertaken one-to-one work with clients, however, the nature of the counselling relationship is very different.

Exceptions:  We DO NOT accept certificates from online/distant learning suppliers.

Weekly written journals (800-1000 words), at least two tutor observations of practical skills work, written assignments, case studies, workshops and an end-of-year exam. 

All students will have the opportunity to discuss assignments with their tutor during scheduled tutorials.

Progression to a Level 4 Counselling qualification.