Everything it takes to be a great counsellor
Learn from practising counsellors at your own pace.
Our NCFE/CACHE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory gives a deep foundational knowledge of counselling, and is ideal for anyone wishing to become a counsellor.
Course overview
Excellence in counselling skills and theory.
The NCFE/CACHE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory goes deep into the theory and practice of counselling. You will enhance your counselling abilities through practice and deepen your understanding of different counselling modalities (including psychodynamic, person-centred, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
It’s an ideal follow-on from our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and prepares you to become a counsellor.
You can study online at your own pace. Throughout the course, you will have personalised support from our experienced tutors, who will help you with the course material and assignments.
Course features
Get ready to become a counsellor.
- 80 guided learning hours
- 120 hours Total Qualification Time
- 12 Credits on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
- Recognised and regulated by Ofqual (Qualification Number 601/7156/X), the Government’s exams and qualifications ‘watchdog’
- Face-to-face and distance learning options available
- Personalised support
- Instant access
Our modules
A deep-dive into everything counselling.
Unit 1 - Developing and Practising Counselling Skills
Practice counselling skills with tutor feedback, gaining an understanding of applying, maintaining, and ending a counselling relationship.
Unit 2 - Understanding Different Approaches to the Use of Counselling Skills
Understand how different counselling approaches can be used in a helping relationship.
As part of this module, you will submit three video recordings – one of you using each of the three counselling modalities we cover in the course (psychodynamic, person-centred, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
Unit 3 - Working Ethically in Helping Relationships
Understand how to maintain ethical standards while using counselling skills.
Unit 4 - Understanding the Importance of Self-Development in Relation to Helping Others
Develop the importance of self-development, beliefs, and values, and identify areas for development.
FAQ
Explore our frequently asked questions for anything we might have missed.
You have 12 months from the date of purchase to complete the course. Moving quickly, you can complete the course in as little as 16 weeks.
Once you have registered and we’ve taken your first payment, you will receive access to our online learning platform to take the course wherever you are.
You also have access to tutor support by telephone and email for the duration of the course.
The only entry requirement is that you are aged 18 or over. Ideally, you also would have completed our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
The Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory is assessed by assignment – there are no exams.
Your tutor assesses your assignments, provides detailed feedback, and – if needed – gives you further resources to develop your understanding.
Your tutor’s assessments are double-checked by another of our counselling trainers and by NCFE, the national awarding organisation.
The awarding body is NCFE/CACHE. NCFE is the national awarding organisation; CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) is a specialist recognition scheme under NCFE for the care and education sector.
Counselling skills can help you grow personally, listen better, help others, and have deeper relationships.
Counselling skills include active listening, empathy, and non-verbal communication. These skills can help you effectively support people through various challenges, such as relationships, mental health issues, personal development, or other difficulties. These skills can also help you deepen your close and everday relationships.
In addtion, learning counselling skills also helps you understand yourself better by reflecting on your own behaviour. In turn, this helps you to approach difficulties and challenges with a positive attitude.
Our NCFE/CACHE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory is designed for anybody who wants to learn counselling skills, prepare for a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (required to become a counsellor), and/or deepen their understanding from our NCFE/CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
No. To become a counsellor, you need to pass a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. Before you can apply for the Level 4 Diploma, you need to have completed this course (the Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory).
Our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to counselling. It is an ideal preparation for our Level 3 Award. Our Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory goes deeper into the same topics, increasing your counselling skills and theoretical understanding.
Also, our Level 3 Award makes you eligible to do a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, which is necessary to become a counsellor. The Level 2 Certificate does not make you eligible for a Level 4 Diploma.
We offer group bookings, with discounts. Contact us to explore this option with us.
In addition to the Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory, we offer the following two options with remote classroom learning:
- An added remote classroom-based Skills Practice Day, covering the skills practice and video submissions required for Unit 2, for an all-inclusive cost of £775, or;
- An added five days of remote classroom learning, for an all-inclusive cost of £995.
Contact us to enquire about these options.
Yes, we offer you the option to pay in instalments through Klarna. You can select this during the checkout process.
Yes. There are no hidden costs.
Get in touch with us via our contact form – we will be happy to help!