L3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

About the course:

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.

Dates and times:
Part time day or evening, September to February or February to July courses available depending on venue. There are two options:
1. Day – 9.45am to 2.45pm
2. Evening – 5.30pm to 10.00pm
See table below:

Location
Week commencing
7th Sept 2020 to 1st Feb 2021
Break for half term & Christmas
Day or Evening options
9.45am to 2.45pm or 5.30pm to 10.00pm unless stated
Islington, N7 7th Sept 2020 to 1st Feb 2021 Monday Evening
Angel, Islington 8th Sept 2020 to 2nd Feb 2021 Tuesday Day
Angel, Islington 11th Sept 2020 to 5th Feb 2021 Friday Day
Twickenham 10th Sept 2020 to 4th Feb 2021 Thursday Evening
Bromley 9th Sept 2020 to 3rd Feb 2021 Wednesday Evening
Brighton 8th Sept 2020 to 2nd Feb 2021 Tuesday Evening
Brighton 9th Sept 2020 to 3rd Feb 2021 Wed 9.30am to 2.30pm
Reading 7th Sept 2020 to 1st Feb 2021 Monday Evening
Reading 11th Sept 2020 to 5th Feb 2021 Friday Day
Location
Week commencing
23rd Feb 2021 to 5th July 2021  Break at Easter & May half term
Day or Evening options
9.45am to 2.45pm or 5.30pm to 10.00pm unless stated
Angel, Islington 23rd Feb 2021 to 5th July 2021 Monday Evening
Manor Gardens, Islington N7 26th Feb 2021 to 8th July 2021 Thursday Evening
Manor Gardens, Islington N7 25th Feb 2021 to 7th July 2021 Wednesday Day
Twickenham 24th Feb 2021 to 6th July 2021 Tuesday Evening
Brighton 26th Feb 2021 to 8th July 2021 Thursday Evening
Brighton 23rd Feb 2021 to 5th July 2021 Monday Day 9.30am to 2.30pm
Bromley, SE London 23rd Feb 2021 to 5th July 2021 Monday Evening
West Wickham / Bromley 24th Feb 2021 to 6th July 2021 Tuesday Day
Reading 25th Feb 2021 to 7th July 2021 Wed Day
Reading 24th Feb 2021 to 6th July 2021 Tuesday Evening
Oxford 24th Feb 2021 to 6th July 2021 Tuesday Evening
Guildford 27th Feb 2021 to 9th July 2021 Friday Day
Winchester, Hants 26th Feb 2021 to 8th July 2021 Thursday day
Poole, Dorset 27th Feb 2021 to 9th July 2021 Friday Day
Faversham, Kent 27th Feb 2021 to 9th July 2021 Friday Day
Tunbridge Wells 23rd Feb 2021 to 5th July 2021 Monday Evening
Robertsbridge, East Sussex 27th Feb 2021 to 9th July 2021 Friday Day
Hastings 27th Feb 2021 to 9th July 2021 Friday Day
Progression to L4 commences in September – See website and prospectus nearer to the time

 

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 L2 English written and oral skills.

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, B Kopp, 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 watch a 15 minute CPCAB DVD of a “counselling” session and complete a
90 minute feedback paper in relation to the DVD. This is sent to CPCAB for assessment.

Progression:
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.

Success:
Congratulations to our candidates and tutor team on 100% pass rate for external assessments for 6th year running at all locations – Brighton, Bromley, London, Reading, Guildford, Hastings, Faversham, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Keep up the excellent work! Our success rates for all courses are ‘outstanding’ at 95% to 100% and consistently well above national benchmarks.

Fees:
For more information see Fees and payment options.

  • £950, discounted to £921 on full payment of £921 (including £171 CPCAB registration fee).
  • £425 deposit on enrolment with payment options – total £950.

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.

Download an Application Form

Download our Prospectus (313kb pdf)

or contact us for more information.