Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling (January 2025 Start)

The aim of the Cert HE in Counselling specifically is to equip students with the knowledge and understanding of professional and ethical counselling practice in line with the BACP standards of working with awareness of diversity, respect and safe practice. Students will develop knowledge of Humanistic approaches to counselling, with the main focus on Person - Centred Counselling theory and skills in order to facilitate, form and maintain counselling relationships. Particular attention will be given to developing person centred skills and qualities such as the core conditions and helping students develop personal and professional awareness.

For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact and 70% independent student learning.

Modules:

Year 1:

Personal development:

The aim of this module is to encourage students to reflect internally to develop' personal awareness, facilitate personal growth and self-acceptance through engaging and interacting in process group sessions. Students will relate theoretical ideas and concepts to their own personal development; addressing personal development issues which may inhibit the ability to work effectively with clients; developing and enhancing their self-reflective capacity.

Assessment 1 – Portfolio of ongoing reflective journals throughout the unit with 3 formal critical incidents of 500 words each at various dates. (100%)

Introduction to research:

The purpose of this module is to introduce to students the concept of research, and demonstrate some of the key principle approaches and practices underpinning the research process. Additionally, this module aims to develop the study skills of the learners, enabling the production of sound academic writing, the introduction of critical thought and basic research skills. It will enable students to develop skills in academic writing, the use of academic conventions, information research, reflection and the management and organisation of their work.

Assessment 1 – An individual portfolio which consists of several tasks all of which need to be completed and submitted (2000 words, 100%)

Ethical Practice:

This module aims to develop students’ understanding and knowledge of key ethical and professional standards, principles, frameworks and policies relevant to Counselling training and practice. Students will have the capacity to apply this in an effective and appropriate reflective manner to ensure ethical and safe practice and ethical decision making. It also aims to develop students’ knowledge of a number of aspects of contemporary professional practice, such as use of supervision, multi-disciplinary working, record keeping, and working online.

Assessment 1 - Online discussion board. Tutor will present each group of students with ethically related issues (5 questions) relevant to counselling practice. Students must present ways in which those ethical issues would be addressed and worked with, and engage appropriately with peer contributions.(100% 1500 word equivalent)

Developing therapeutic processes and context:

The aim of this module is to develop learner’s understanding of the role and responsibility of a counsellor. Particular attention will be given to working within a theoretical framework, and learners will learn the necessary skills and qualities required to develop and establish appropriate therapeutic relationships providing learners with the skills and qualities of working within a therapeutic framework. Learners will learn the importance of stages of the therapeutic process, developing and maintaining effective boundaries within their counselling placement.

Assessment 1: Reflective assignment: Identify two factors that have had a significant impact on your practice in placement and explain how these factors developed or hinder the development of the therapeutic relationship and reflect on your use of self. (100%, 1500 words )

Humanistic approaches to Counselling:

The module is designed to provide students with a sound theoretical understanding of the person-centred approach, in terms of developmental theory and therapeutic process and skills. Students will discuss and with guidance, explain the theories main assumptions. It will form the basis of the students’ exploration of clients’ and their own experiences.

Assessment 1 - Essay - Explain Person Centred key assumptions with reference to both developmental theory and therapeutic process and skills. 50% 1,500 words Assessment 2 - Skills practice - 20 minute recorded session demonstrating appropriate use of Person Centred Theory and Skills - Assessed by counselling tutors as Pass / fail marking criteria - Person Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy Scale (PCEPS): development and reliability of an adherence/competence measure for person-centred and experiential psychotherapies. 50%

Year 2:

Personal and Professional development:

The aim of this module is to encourage students to reflect, communicate and share their increased personal awareness, personal growth and self-acceptance through engaging and interacting in process group sessions. Students will relate theoretical ideas and concepts to their own personal development; addressing personal development issues which may inhibit the ability to work effectively with clients; developing and enhancing their self-reflective capacity. This module builds on the Personal Development module. Students are encouraged to share their increased self-awareness from the reflective process with the group; to communicate, verbalize and share vulnerabilities developing and demonstrating core moral qualities of a counsellor; personal reislices, integrity, humility and courage.

Assessment 1 - Individual Presentation 10 minute + 5 minute Q and A - Students will reflect and share significant insights gained throughout their counselling journey demonstrating their ability to use counselling theory to understand self and an increase in self-awareness. (LO1,2,3 and 4) (100%)

Pluralistic approaches to Counselling:

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the philosophy of existentialism and phenomenology. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the theory, skills and the philosophy that underpins the theory and will be able to apply their theoretical understanding to enhance their current Humanistic approach where appropriate. This module will also encourage students to consider how the existential theory and philosophy relates to personal beliefs about self, others and the world around them

Assessment 1 - Case study presentation - How the existential theory and concepts have been applied in counselling work, their relation with personal beliefs and the impact on the counselling progress. 100% (15 mins)

Diversity and inclusion in Counselling:

The aim of this module is to increase learner’s understanding of diversity and inclusion within the counselling profession. The module will look at social, cultural and developmental psychological perspectives in relation to age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality etc. An important aspect of the course will also enable students’ personal exploration through identifying their own theoretical building blocks; prejudice, discrimination and exclusion, stereotypes and any discriminatory attitudes and consider how this relates to their counselling practice and experiences of working with differences.

Assessment 1 - Reflective written assignment - Students will personally reflect and demonstrate increase self-awareness of their own values, attitudes and prejudices and how these impact on their ability to develop relationship depth with clients. 50% 1,000 words Assessment 2 - Online discussion Board. Discussion board allocated to small groups of students (approx 3. Tutor will present each group of students with issues (3 questions) relating to anti-discriminatory practice in counselling and students will consider ways of promoting anti discriminatory practice with client work and within agency. 50% (1000 word equivalent)

Mental Health and wellbeing:

The aim of this module is to raise students' awareness of common life events and obstacles to well-being and enhance students' knowledge of some of the most common mental health disorders. Students will be able to recognise important characteristics of mental health concerns as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorder, Fifth Edition (DSM-5; 2013) (reference will also be made to the ICD-10) and respond appropriately, safely and ethically. Students will be introduced to mental health assessment that may be carried out by counsellors, and enhance therapeutic interventions and skills to support clients experiencing specific psychological distress during counselling sessions.

Assessment 1 - Individually, learners will create and record a 10 minute podcast presentation shared with the group identifying a mental health disorder of their choice, explain the potential signs, symptoms, effects and treatment as recommended by the NICE guidelines. (60%)

Assessment 2 - An information sheet to help support the work of a counsellor when working with clients who present will mental health issues. Information sheet must include: Links to useful assessment tools; Links to safety plan templates; List of agencies for signposting and support. (40%) (1,200 words)

Enhancing counselling practice:

The aim of this module facilitates students to show they have developed the skills and knowledge necessary to work safely and effectively as a Counsellor. The module will encourage enhancement of the development gained from all previous course modules and will encourage consistency and advancement in all areas taught with the ability to combine symbiosis of theory, ethical practice and skills.

Assessment 1 – Portfolio of evidence including : Record of 100hrs client log, supervision log, supervision report, agency report, log of personal counselling, BACP CPD log (50%) **This assessment requires no additional academic work but to gather information from supervisor and agency**. Assessment 2 - A case study providing an overview of the therapeutic counselling work undertaken with one client (covering at least six sessions). The case study must demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to work safely and effectively, providing specific examples throughout each taught module of the course. (50%) (1500 words)