Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Guided Learning Hours

90 hours (minimum)

This part time course is intended for Level 2 graduates (or equivalent), who want to take the next step in training to become a counsellor (having already acquired counselling skills) and learn more about counselling theories and practice.

You will develop on your knowledge of Person Centred counselling in practice and will be introduced to key concepts of Psychodynamic counselling and the Cognitive Behavioural approach.

Level 2 and 3 together form the foundation in counselling theory and skills required for progression onto the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

Our success rates for all courses are ‘outstanding’ at 95% to 100%, and consistently over the last 12 years performed well above national benchmarks.

Programme activities:
  • Theory seminars, demonstrations, discussion, group work and presentations.
  • Personal development and experiential work.
  • Essay.
  • Case study based on six sessions of peer helping work – This involves willingness to participate with some personal disclosure.
  • Tutor and peer assessed skills practice – Skills sessions involves participation with some personal disclosure.
  • Training group supervision.
  • Learning review.
  • Self review
Reading for the course:

Counselling Skills & Studies:F B Dykes, De Winter, T Postings, A Crouch. Sage
Counselling Skills and Theory: Margaret Hough: Hodder
Next Steps in Counselling Practice: by Pete Sanders, Alan Frankland & Paul Wilkins. PCCS

Assessment:

Tutor assessment of candidate portfolio evidencing minimum assessment and criteria requirements.

External assessment:

Candidates complete an Assessment Paper within a one week designated time frame. This is sent to CPCAB for assessment. Note that candidates must pass both the External Assessment and the Internal Assessment to achieve the award.

Candidates are required to have undertaken counselling skills training – e.g. CPCAB’s Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L 2) or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 guided learning hours (GLH).

Online training courses will not suffice. For internal progressing applicants from our Level 2 course we require a tutor reference of recommendation. For new applicants to CPTA we require a reference from an employer, tutor, or from a professional person to comment on your suitability for this type of course.

Candidates must have sufficient writing skills to undertake the written course work and assessment requirements of this course. GCE or GCSE English grade C, or at least Level 1 or preferably Level 2 English written and oral skills.

Successful candidates may progress onto CPCAB’s Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) provided that CPCAB’s Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2), or equivalent, is first acquired in addition to CST-L3. Progression is subject to tutor reference.

Part time day or evening, September to February or February to July courses available depending on venue.

There are two options:

1. Day – 9.30am to 2.45pm
2. Evening – 5.15pm to 10.00pm

Please note that CPTA is an independent training provider and does not have the benefit of any government subsidy or student loans for course fees. There are instalment options available for Course fees.