Becoming a Counsellor
CPCAB qualifications allow you to study part-time to become a counsellor. They're tried and tested, and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England, Qualifications Wales in Wales and the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.
'How to Become a Counsellor: CPCAB’s Free Counselling Training Taster' is designed for anyone considering counselling training or who has an interest in pursuing a career as a counsellor. The taster gives insight into the counselling landscape, the route to achieving your career goal, and an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to become a counsellor. We hope this short introduction will give you confidence in choosing the best training pathway for you and encourage you to begin your journey to becoming a counsellor.
What qualifications do I need?
To work as a counsellor you'll need a minimum of a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. This qualification will prepare you to work as a counsellor and join a recognised professional association, for example BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society) or ACC (Association of Christian Counsellors). To take this qualification you'll need to have completed our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills plus either our Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies or Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies.
How long will training take and how much will it cost?
It can take up to 4 years to complete the qualifications needed to become a counsellor.
Each of our qualifications consists of Guided Learning Hours (GLH), which are the taught hours for the qualification. There is additional study required away from the classroom.
We would love to be able to give a guide price for training but course fees are set individually by each centre depending on many factors such as class sizes, staff team size and location. It's best to check several centres to find a centre which suits your requirements and budget.
This skills qualification forms the foundation of professional counselling practice. It provides the essential listening and communications skills used by helping professionals.
How long will it take?
It's generally taught over 30 weeks at 3 hours per week. You'll receive a minimum of 90 hours in the classroom or in an appropriate online space.
How will this qualification help my employability?
This qualification won't make you a qualified counsellor but the transferrable communications skills you'll learn will be an asset in most job roles, including: Teaching Assistant, Advocate, Support Worker, Wellbeing Support and Befriending.
How do I enrol?
Contact a training centre using our centre finder to enquire about enrolling.
Here you have a choice of two qualifications: the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies or the Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies.
Both introduce you to the three main theoretical approaches to counselling and show you what you can expect from working with counselling agencies. In addition to this, the Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies enables an understanding of the use of counselling skills in allied professions.
How long either of them take?
The Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies is generally taught over 30 weeks at 3 hours per week. You'll receive a minimum of 90 hours in the classroom or in an appropriate online space.
The Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies is generally taught over 30 weeks at 5 hours per week. You'll receive a minimum of 150 hours in the classroom or in an appropriate online space.
How will either qualification help my employability?
The Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies won't make you a qualified counsellor but it's the next step towards practitioner training. The new skills and knowledge learned can potentially improve employability for a number of job roles, including: mental health settings, education settings, advocacy and support roles, Human Resources and any role dealing with people.
The Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies leads to employment and increases employability opportunities across a range of health, care and allied sectors, such as for those whose role is to support others in sectors such as health and social care work, teaching and learning, advocacy and mediation, support and project work, and other helping roles.
How do I enrol?
Contact a training centre using our centre finder to enquire about enrolling.
This 2 year qualification enables you to work as a counsellor in an agency setting. In year 1 you'll learn how to apply a number of approaches to the therapeutic counselling process and work in an agency as a trainee counsellor.
You'll also start your own personal counselling sessions which will give you an invaluable insight into the work of a professional counsellor.
How long will it take?
It's generally taught 1 day per week over 2 years. In addition you'll need to complete 100 hours of client work, clinical supervision and personal therapy. You will spend a minimum of 210 hours in the classroom each year. That is 420 contact hours across the 2 years.
How will this qualification help my employability?
This qualification is the final step in practitioner training. As a qualified counsellor, you can seek work in organisations offering counselling services, such as: counselling agencies, charities, healthcare and education settings. Also, with experience, managerial and programme lead roles as well as private counselling practice and counselling training roles.
How do I enrol?
Contact a training centre using our centre finder to enquire about enrolling.
Am I ready for counselling training?
Counselling training is not suitable if you're currently experiencing a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological distress. Courses involve experiential elements that will involve some personal disclosure and personal developmental activities.
Will my existing qualifications count?
Your prior learning may allow you to move on to CPCAB qualifications. When you know where you would like to study, contact your chosen training centre and their tutors will let you know if this is possible and which qualification you should enrol on.
Can I do my training online?
Training centres may offer our qualifications in a classroom (face to face), in an appropriate virtual space (online) or a mix of both (blended) - it varies. Use our Centre Finder to select a training centre and contact them to find out if they are right for you.