Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication

This new Foundation Degree is the first step on your journey to becoming a counsellor. The course has been designed to align with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). You will take part in hands-on, practical learning which will set you up perfectly to practice counselling or open your own counselling service. This course is taught by practising counsellors and provides excellent progression opportunities. It will enable you to develop an understanding of the principles and practices of communication and counselling approaches whilst allowing you to consolidate learning in practical counselling techniques, informed by the theory of counselling practice. The Foundation Degree will provide you with hands-on learning in a simulated environment, mirroring what you will experience in the Counselling Profession. The course is designed to align with the professional statutory and regulatory body, which in the UK, is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). You will also be encouraged to undertake a voluntary work placement. You will be encouraged to begin preparing and applying for a professional clinical placement towards the end of the first year of the course. This aligns with the professional industry standards that to become qualified students will need to complete 100 hours of client work. Students who chose not to undertake a voluntary placement will still be able to complete this programme of study. After successfully completing the first year (Level 4) of the Foundation Degree, you may choose to progress onto the second and final year (Level 5) of the FdSc. You will also be able to work in pastoral care, youth work, and family support work. On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you may wish to progress onto the one-year BSc (Hons) Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication (Top-up). There is also the opportunity to progress onto the part-time Level 7 MA Professional Development for Counselling.

Year One: Foundation Counselling Theory and Skills for Practice, Developing Skill for Professional Practice, Skills for Success, Vocational Skills Practice, Exploration of Mental and Emotional Wellbeing, Issues of Power and Oppression, Coping with Change: Theory and Practice. Year Two: Developing Therapeutic Practice, Professional Development, Work Based Learning, Safeguarding , Ethical Foundation and Professional Practice, Biopsychology for Counselling, Transcultural Perspectives and Practice.

You will be taught through: Seminars, Practical sessions in the brand-new Counselling Suite (simulated environment), One-to-one sessions with tutors, Group Work, Independent study. You will be assessed through: In course technical reports, Essays, Portfolio, Reflection, Case Studies, Academic posters, Presentations, Peer Assessment, Work-based projects.