Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB)

Is this course for you?

Developing effective skills in counselling is not solely about academic ability; it centres on learning how to engage in supportive interactions with individuals seeking help. This course emphasises practical counselling skills, personal qualities, and self-awareness, preparing you to work in various helping roles.

Your study sessions will be highly practical, including exercises and role play, often in groups of three (helper, helpee, and observer). Key topics include developing self-awareness, understanding listening barriers, showing empathy, mastering body language, exploring ethics and boundaries, addressing prejudice and stereotypes, giving and receiving feedback, and participating in group work and discussions. You’ll also complete a weekly learning review.

This course is ideal for those seeking competence in counselling skills for use in voluntary or employed roles or as a first step toward a career in counselling.

While this course does not qualify you as a counsellor, it equips you with valuable skills for roles like key working, care assistant, support worker, or teaching assistant, across fields such as mental health, homelessness, substance misuse, education, and health and social care.

Classes run every Thursday over 18 weeks, with options for daytime (9:00 am - 3:00 pm) or afternoon/evening sessions (3:30 pm - 9:00 pm), making it a flexible choice for those with work or family commitments.

What experience and skills will you gain?

• Use counselling skills ethically and safely.

• Establish and maintain boundaries in helping roles.

• Work empathically with others.

• Focus on the helpee’s needs and concerns.

• Use self-awareness effectively in helping work.

• Apply a range of counselling skills to support interactions.

• Use feedback and reflection to improve counselling skills.

What do you need to apply?

• GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, or Level 2 English .

• GCSE Maths (or equivalent) at grade E/2 or above, or Level 1 Maths.

Recommended prerequisites:

• At least 22 years old with four years of independent adult life experience

• Openness to self-awareness work in relation to others

• Completion of an introductory course in counselling (30 hours) or relevant occupational experience in a related role, either employed or voluntary

How will you be assessed?

Assessment is conducted through various methods across the seven core modules, including:

• Skills practice with tutor and peer feedback .

• Weekly learning reviews and reflective summaries .

• Written essays.

• An external paper-based assessment, which involves viewing a video of a helper using counselling skills and completing a written Candidate Feedback Paper under exam conditions.

To pass the course, you must achieve a proficient rating in both tutor assessments and the external CPCAB assessment.

Where can this course take you?

This course could lead to roles where counselling skills are beneficial, such as key working, care assistant, support worker, or teaching assistant. Additional qualifications and further study can pave the way to becoming a fully qualified counsellor.

Upon completing the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, consider progressing to the following qualifications:

• Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB).

• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB).