COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills

The Spark is validated by COSCA, Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, to deliver the 4 Module (120 hours) COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills course. The Spark is a national relationship counselling charity and training organisation that has operated for over 50 years.

The COSCA Counselling Skills course represents the first step for those considering a career in counselling and provides a basic foundation in the principles of therapy.

The COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills programme is delivered by our warm and professional training team. Each trainer is current and competent to practice, and each bring their own individual experiences to teach the necessary blend of theoretical orientations and counselling skills required in the COSCA skills certificate.

Who is the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills course for?

This course is an excellent first step for anyone interested in training as a counsellor. The COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills course is widely included by higher education establishments as part of their entry criteria for undergraduate qualifications in counselling.

However, the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills isn’t just for those who want to become a counsellor, it can also be beneficial for individuals in a variety of professions where effective communication is fundamental. Previous course participants have included nurses, teachers, social workers, HR workers, law enforcement, solicitors, taxi drivers and hairdressers.

Participants will develop skills and knowledge including:

• Effective listening and people skills that will benefit personal and work relationships

• Self-awareness and a better ability to reflect, enabling more effective interventions

• Knowledge of the theory that validates the effectiveness of counselling skills

• Understanding of the ethical framework required in all supporting relationships

• A professionally recognised qualification, providing 40 SCQF credits at SCQF level 8.

What will participants learn?

• Participation in the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills course will provide students with the opportunity to develop the following:

• Skills: communication skills are enhanced through experiential learning, building ability in active listening. Participants will become more attuned to the responses of others, noticing shifts in body language or changes in mood. Also learning how to subtly explore such changes and understand when to use key skills.

• Self-awareness: participants become more aware of their own responses and reactions and what drives these, helping to separate their interests from those of the person they are supporting.

• Knowledge and ethics: the course covers the theory that underpins different counselling approaches, and the ethics required in any supportive relationship.

COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills Framework

Please note progression to Modules 2, 3 and 4 is by successful completion of the preceding module.

Module 1 – Beginnings

• Concepts of Counselling and the use of Counselling Skills

• Attending and Responding Skills

• The Ethical Framework underpinning a counselling approach

• Importance of Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

Module 2 – Exploration and Expansion

• Beginnings, Middles and Endings

• Theories of Loss and Change

• Self-Awareness of Personal Motives and Values

• Ethical Boundaries

• Sexuality

Module 3 – Review and Reflection

• The Context of Emotional and Cognitive Self-Reflection

• Counselling perspectives of Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive-Behavioural approaches

• The nature of Power and Vulnerability

• The characteristics of Past Experiences and Relationships

• Spirituality

Module 4 – Integration

• Gestalt Approach and the Humanistic/Existential Perspective

• Transactional Analysis approach and the Humanistic and Psychodynamic perspectives

• Exploration of Power and Vulnerability

• Exploration of Belonging, Social Inclusion and

• Social Exclusion

• The effects of Stress

• Professional Responsibilities appropriate to the counselling relationship