Counselling Studies

The FdA Counselling Studies prepares you to engage deeply with the theoretical frameworks and key concepts shaping modern counselling practice. You’ll explore critical approaches—from humanistic and psychodynamic to cognitive-behavioural models—and learn how to employ them in supporting clients toward greater self-awareness, resilience, and coping strategies.

This programme combines theoretical insight with applied experience: you’ll complete 100 hours of supervised clinical practice, allowing you to translate learning into tangible therapeutic relationships. Alongside this, the course strengthens your transferable skills in critical enquiry, analysis, and independent learning, laying a solid foundation for professional development in counselling.

Whether you’re looking to launch a helping career or deepen existing practice, this qualification gives you both the academic rigour and practical grounding to make meaningful, informed interventions.

Course Modules

YEAR 1

• Personal and Academic Development

• Counselling Skills

• Counselling Theories

• Introduction to Research

• Developing Counselling Skills in Clinical Practice

• Developmental Psychology

YEAR 2

• Continuing Personal Development and Professional Practice

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

• Models of Practice

• Research Methods in Counselling

• Psychosocial Approaches to Abnormal Mental Health Conditions

• Mental Health and Wellbeing

Essays and written assignments, reports, and seminar papers — demonstrating critical engagement with counselling theories and their applied relevance.

Presentations, both individual and group, including seminar presentations and poster-style delivery, helping develop communication and reflective skills.

Portfolios and case studies, incorporating reflective commentaries and supervisor or peer feedback alongside evidence from clinical practice.

Observed or recorded practice sessions, offering a direct demonstration of counselling skills under supervision or peer review.