Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies

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
• understand the use of counselling skills in allied professions
• be prepared for work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting

This qualification 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 including health and social care, teaching and learning, advocacy and mediation, support and project work, and other helping roles. It provides additional skills for those already in employment and is likely to lead to increased opportunities for promotion and advancement towards practitioner-level qualifications. 

You must be over 19 and should have undertaken counselling skills training such as our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours.

You must also :

• have emotional stability
• have an ability to form a counselling relationship
• have awareness of difference and diversity
• be able to cope with the course content
• be able to identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
• be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
• provide references

You will study the following topic areas and learning outcomes:

• Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling
• Understand the counselling relationship
• Understand difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding
• Work within a user-centred approach to counselling
• Use counselling theory to develop self awareness in counselling practice
• Understand theories of counselling and mental health
• Use feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies

You will attend College on a weekly basis. 

You may wish to purchase supportive texts. However, it is not expected that there will be other costs associated with this course, other than stationery.

Assessment is through a variety of methods, including assignments, self reflections and reviews, peer feedback, projects and presentations, and tutor observations of your (simulated) counselling practice.

There is also an external assessment undertaken under exam conditions, which is then marked externally by the awarding organisation.

Once you have completed this course, you may wish to continue your training journey towards becoming a fully qualified/practising counsellor by progressing to the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk