🎉🎉🎉 congratulations I am completely new and looking at courses! I am excited! Thanks for sharing!

Hi John, you are probably asked to provide video evidence of skills practice sessions because the course is online. Skill practice session involves you being in the role of a helper, listening to the issue of a helpee and using counselling skills. It is far better to do a counselling course where you can be in a classroom with other students. Michelle Baker

@@therapeuticworld9066 I would rather do a classroom based course but it's difficult to find one which would fit around my full time job. Might not be easy to find a willing volunteer to appear on camera either.

Where did u find the online course ?

@@rozitahussaini6440 I found a couple of online ones on google. One of them, I think, was through Unite the Union

Hello Emma, I would suggest that you start from the beginning, it’s unlikely that a college would accept you on level 3 especially if you do not have a counselling background. Doing a counselling course should not be rushed as self development and awareness is a process. If you started at level 3 then you would not have the foundation, knowledge and counselling skills that your peers would have. On level 2 you will learn the basics which will support you in progressing to level 3.

Hello, you can use any term you like as long as it is relevant to the question you have been asked. Tip: be careful to use concepts belonging to the counselling approach you mentioned or that your college has stipulated, for example if your approach is person centred you would not mention concepts from other approaches. I would say keep it simple.

I forgot, I also was told that level 4 qualifies you to do agency work only

I would suggest that after doing level 4 that you stay with your placement agency to gain more confidence or work within an agency setting where you can gain support and guidance before working in private practice. If you are not sure about your readiness to go it alone after working within an agency setting, post qualification, it would be good to seek advice from your clinical supervisor. As far as I know there is no rule -this is just what is often recommended.

This would be quite useful.

Hi Felicia, you don’t need a degree to become a counsellor. Some colleges and universities may check your level of writing and prior qualifications in order to assess whether the course is the right level for you.

Cpcab + OU do a joint course which on completion of foundation counselling gives you two thirds of a degree.

Hello, she qualified from level 4 diploma in therapeutic counselling. Best wishes Michelle Baker

It really depends on your lifestyle, family commitments etc. Some students are lucky enough to get an additional day off work to study. In an ideal world it would be great to have a day off for studying. It is a lot to juggle with clinical supervision, working in a counselling placement, personal therapy and finding the time to do assignment. I feel that you would need to be quite disciplined and resilient. If in the future you do decide to engage in a counselling diploma course, due to the amount of hours covered there is a big possibility that you may have to take a day or half day off work; if this is not possible you might be able to find a college or university that offers weekends. Best Wishes Michelle Baker

@@therapeuticworld9066 Hey Michelle, thanks for your message. So I started my Level 4 a few weeks a go and it has been quite emotionally intense for the entire class. Personally I don't like my day job and find it very hard not to get stressed/anxious about it. It's just not the right fit for me. I think it'll be beneficial if I found part time work to help focus more on the Level 4. A part of me, the inner critic, is saying you should be able to do a 9-5 and the course but I can't deny how my work makes me feel. In a bit of a conundrum. Would be great to get a feel of what other students have done. This might be something I take to my therapy as well

Hello Richard, CPCAB/ awarding body courses tend to be popular and have a good reputation. You could start with doing a level 2 counselling skills course. Google in CPCAB counselling courses to find your nearest college. All the best Michelle Baker

Good luck, wishing you success on your course.

Which online course?

Hello, there are of course many colleges that teach counselling. The awarding body that I lecture under is called the CPCAB, they deliver many courses. It might be a good idea to google in the CPCAB to find a counselling course near to where you live and/or one that fits in with your routine. Tip: I would suggest an institution that offers all the levels bringing you up to being qualified, as there could be gaps in your learning if you have to change your college and unfamiliarity in the colleges way of carrying out the courses. (Michelle Baker)

@@therapeuticworld9066 thanks. I also teach for CPCAB. But I was just wondering what venue this was. I just liked the idea of doing KZfaq’s. Thanks though.

@@counsellingfirstemdrcentre9761 Hi, thanks for contacting me. I work for various institutions and not promoting any college in particular. Happy for you to email me for further details.

I'm currently doing level 2 counselling skills course.

@@sarahcraig7713 how is it going ? are you enjoying it as I am about to start.

(Please note that the information given below may differ between institutions) On average you will need to attend college or university for 8 hours, one day a week. Additional time will need to taken out for clinical supervision, personal therapy and client work. There may be weekly assignments, such as learning reviews which needs to be completed on a weekly basis, along with additional assignments spaced out over the two years as well as theoretical reading accompanied with research. Level 4 is a big step-up from level 3, many are often surprised by this although alerted. You will need to be resilient, committed and motivated, as the course will take up a lot of your time which can be challenging at times. It is important to evaluate life circumstances before embarking on the level 4, as you need to be grounded and ready. Good luck on your level 4 Diploma in Counselling John, I hope you enjoy the journey. (Michelle Baker)

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Do you know anyone who worked for the samaritans as a volunteer on level 4. I red whst was on the volunteer samaritans site for volunteer s and it said they fon t offer any placements. This was surprising. Do you know where people went for their placements? Thankyou. 😊

@@anthonyburn8574 Try Awareness Centre, Bereavement Services in your local area and do a search online through Google. No one on my course did the Samaritans.