Course Overview

Build confidence and understanding with key counselling techniques.

Develop your ability to support and understand others with 365吃瓜部落鈥檚 Using Counselling Skills course. Whether you’re working in health, education, social care or simply want to improve how you communicate, this flexible online course introduces key techniques used in counselling practice 鈥 including active listening, empathy, and managing boundaries. You鈥檒l explore ethical frameworks, different counselling approaches and how to apply these in real-life settings. No previous experience is needed, making this course ideal for beginners or those considering progression into formal counselling qualifications.

  • Dedicated tutor support

Using Counselling Skills at a glance

course exam board icon
Accreditation

Unit accreditation towards the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills* accredited by Training Qualifications UK (TQUK)

*Our Using Counselling Skills course covers one of four units that must be attained in order to achieve Level 2 Certification in Counselling Skills.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with support from a personal tutor

course hours icon
Hours

Complete at your own pace

Approx. 30 study hours, plus time for completing assignments

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No previous knowledge is required for this course

At least 19 years of age

An ability to read and write in English

course assessment icon
Assignments

4 assignments

You will also be required to complete a recorded helping conversation

course resources icon
Resources

No additional set texts required

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support聽learn@nec

Audio recording/playing device or a witness to validate your helping conversation

An adult volunteer to work with (if you choose this option)

course exam board icon
Accreditation

Unit accreditation towards the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills* accredited by Training Qualifications UK (TQUK)

*Our Using Counselling Skills course covers one of four units that must be attained in order to achieve Level 2 Certification in Counselling Skills.

course resources icon
Resources

No additional set texts required

course assessment icon
Assignments

4 assignments

You will also be required to complete a recorded helping conversation

course hours icon
Hours

Complete at your own pace

Approx. 30 study hours, plus time for completing assignments

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No previous knowledge is required for this course

At least 19 years of age

An ability to read and write in English

course format icon
Format

Online learning with support from a personal tutor

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support聽learn@nec

Audio recording/playing device or a witness to validate your helping conversation

An adult volunteer to work with (if you choose this option)

course exam board icon
Accreditation

Unit accreditation towards the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills* accredited by Training Qualifications UK (TQUK)

*Our Using Counselling Skills course covers one of four units that must be attained in order to achieve Level 2 Certification in Counselling Skills.

course format icon
Format

Online learning with support from a personal tutor

course hours icon
Hours

Complete at your own pace

Approx. 30 study hours, plus time for completing assignments

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No previous knowledge is required for this course

At least 19 years of age

An ability to read and write in English

course assessment icon
Assignments

4 assignments

You will also be required to complete a recorded helping conversation

course resources icon
Resources

No additional set texts required

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support聽learn@nec

Audio recording/playing device or a witness to validate your helping conversation

An adult volunteer to work with (if you choose this option)

Why study Using Counselling Skills

What makes this course ideal for you

Counselling skills are useful in all walks of life 鈥 we often counsel ourselves or a friend/family member who is going through a hard time. Maybe they need you to provide advice or to just be a good listener. Learning how to put these skills into practice could help change someone鈥檚 life as well as your own.

Maybe you鈥檝e got first hand experience of mental health conditions and you鈥檇 like to help others, perhaps you鈥檙e a team leader or manager involved in helping people, or you run a support group which requires listening and helping others, or maybe you鈥檙e thinking of a career as a counsellor.

This course can open many doors for you get on track to supporting people in everyday life or as a career.

Course content

What you鈥檒l learn…

Topic 1

Helping relationships and communication skills

Topic 2

Essential counselling skills

Topic 3

Active listening

Topic 4

Reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising and responding to silence

Topic 5

Responding skills 鈥 questioning

Topic 6

Managing boundaries

Topic 7

Agreeing objectives for a helping

Topic 8

Endings and their impact

    Affordable study

    Flexible payments and financial help

    • As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
    • Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We鈥檝e teamed up with Omni, one of the UK鈥檚 leading finance specialists.
    • Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.

    Visit our聽Fee information page听辞谤

    Older learner sits outside with her laptop, writing down notes in a notebook.
    Pay in instalments, woman sitting at a desk using a computer

    Monthly instalments

    Study now, pay your way

    It鈥檚 your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 monthly repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.

    To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.

    The 365吃瓜部落(365吃瓜部落) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and replayment plans see our聽Fee Information page.

     

    Course fee 拢599 (excl. registration fee)
    Deposit 拢59.90
    Amount of credit 拢539.10
    Monthly payment 拢44.93
    Duration 12 months
    Total repayment 拢599 (excl. registration fee)
    Cost of credit 拢0.00
    Rate of interest 0% APR representative
    older female tutor

    With you every step of the way

    Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor

    You鈥檒l have access to 1:1 support from your tutor. All 365吃瓜部落 tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.

    鈥淚 love what I teach and hope my students do too. Qualifications include MSocSc and Diploma in Social Science and Social Work, Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Disability Studies, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology. A former examiner for AQA and International Baccalaureate. I also write academic textbooks and courses.鈥

    Tracey, Counselling Tutor
    MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS

    Got a question?

    Talk to one of our course advisors

    Unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?

    Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.

    • 聽and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
    • 翱谤听contact us聽today by phone or email.

    We鈥檙e waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.

    Frequently asked questions

    Your common questions and concerns answered.聽Read more FAQs.

    You鈥檒l be supported by a qualified subject tutor who provides feedback on your assignments and helps guide your progress. Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources 鈥 all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.

    Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace 鈥 all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule. Others may include set dates 鈥 especially for things like exams or NEAs (Non-Exam Assessment) 鈥 to help you stay on track.

    Yes! You can connect with other learners in your course鈥檚 online forum. Many students find discussing topics with peers helps reinforce their learning 鈥 and helps them feel part of a wider learning community.

    Yes. Most 365吃瓜部落 courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You鈥檒l earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.

    We鈥檙e also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.

    Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don鈥檛 lead to formal accreditation.

    Yes, 365吃瓜部落 is a JCQ-approved exam centre, which means we can support your exam entry, provide verified access arrangements, and oversee non-exam assessments (NEAs) 鈥 essential for subjects like English, Science and Geography.

    Yes. Many students complete a one-year fast track option, especially if working towards university or career deadlines. You鈥檒l need to commit regular study time and plan carefully around assignment deadlines and exams.

    If you鈥檙e unsure whether fast track is realistic, we鈥檒l advise you.

    Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you. However, if your course involves an exam, you鈥檒l need to complete all assignments and assessments (also known as coursework or NEA 鈥 Non-Exam Assessment) in time for set exam dates 鈥 so don鈥檛 leave it too late!

    If you鈥檙e planning to apply to university, please also be aware of UCAS deadlines. For example, to receive predicted grades through our UCAS Application Service, you鈥檒l need to have completed a certain number of assignments by specific dates.

    Check the individual course pages for guidance, or book a call with an advisor to discuss your timeline and study plans.

    Yes 鈥 365吃瓜部落 is ideal for international students. Many of our courses are available worldwide, but there are a few things to check before enrolling:

    Exams: You鈥檒l need to arrange a local exam centre. AQA does not offer international exams, so you鈥檒l need to travel to the UK for those.

    Qualification recognition: Ensure your chosen qualification is recognised in your country.

    Our team is happy to help you explore your options.