Personal Development

About Us

The Institute of Counselling was founded in 1985 as a Christian based, not for profit independent educational charity. It is committed to promoting pastoral care throughout the services it provides.

The Institute provides a wide range of counselling and related courses. Students enrol with assurance and confidence on our quality courses, which are fully backed by the experience and resources of the Institute of Counselling.

In its early years the Institute offered only courses in Clinical and Pastoral Counselling, within a pastoral context. Since 1985, over 35,000 students from the UK and overseas have enrolled on these courses.

In recent years the Institute has also produced a selection of further courses which follow the clinical person-centred approach developed by Carl Rogers and others.

The Institute is committed to providing counselling skills training to all who will benefit from the courses. On this basis a non-discriminatory policy is operated with regard to students' background, culture, ethnic origin, gender, age or creed.

Clinical and Pastoral Counselling (CPC)

The Clinical and Pastoral Counselling model offers a framework for counselling within a person-centred perspective. The model integrates clinical research and pastoral psychology, drawing upon the work of many practitioners in the general counselling and pastoral care fields.

The main theorists used are Carl Rogers, Gerard Egan, Henri Nouwen and John Patton. Psychological insights are utilised through the Clinical part of the model, while emotional conflicts, inner struggles and spiritual issues are seen within the context of the Pastoral model.

Clinical & Pastoral Counselling promotes personal regard and respect within a style of counselling and care which is non-judgmental, non-directive and of a reflective nature and which encourages clients to work through their issues. Directive approaches are also introduced where they are appropriate.

Our Team

Board of Studies

The Board's purpose is to oversee and ensure the high academic standing of the Institute by advising on educational standards and policies, and also on matters of accreditation.

The Board is comprised of senior personnel from education, the caring professions, and pastoral ministries.

Course Tutors

The qualifications of the academic staff reflect the high level of the Institute's courses. Our tutors are qualified at least to Degree level or equivalent with postgraduate qualifications in their profession.

The input from course tutors enables our courses to become more personal and helpful to you as you study. Your tutor will assess your assignments, offering constructive feedback and guidance.

External Examiner

Gillian L Walton RGN, DIP Palliative Care, BSc (Hons), MSc, PG DIP Education is the Director of Programmes of the Department of Public Health and Wellbeing at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Internal Examiner

Dr Stan Gilmore is formally an Open University tutor of some twenty years' standing. He has also tutored in a senior capacity at the University of Stirling.