I have just completed the Foundation Certificate course which has far exceeded my expectations – Highly recommended.
Andrew
Equivalent to a Level 3
Take your first steps towards becoming a counsellor with our Foundation Certificate in Counselling. This Level 3 equivalent course fulfils the entry requirements for our BACP accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling. You will learn a diverse range of models and approaches to counselling, develop your self-awareness, and enhance your interpersonal and communication skills, empowering you to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Led by expert tutors at our Clapham and Tooting centres in South London, this course is designed to support your personal and professional growth. Our fast track options are perfect for those ready to accelerate their journey into counselling. Enrol today and take the next step towards a meaningful new career.
Our next course starts on 13th March 2026. Courses can become oversubscribed, so we encourage early enrolment.
Foundation Certificate in Counselling: Course Content Overview
The Foundation Certificate in Counselling is delivered in three modules across two or three terms, each including the following main components:
- Theory lectures and discussion groups
- Skills practice workshops
- Personal development activities
Module 1: Helping & Counselling
This module focuses on developing your understanding of what counselling is and is not and includes a workshop on how to write essays using Harvard Referencing:
- What do we understand by counselling?
- How does counselling differ from other forms of help?
- Who can be helped by counselling?
- Standards and ethics in counselling
- The ‘core conditions’ of the person-centred model in counselling
Module 2: Ethics / Basic Human Development
This module introduces the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Profession (2018) and provides an overview of some key contributors in the field of basic human development:
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Erikson’s psychosocial model
- Freud’s psychosexual model
Module 3: Modalities of Counselling
This module of the counselling certificate introduces a range of theoretical models, including:
- Gestalt Therapy
- Transactional Analysis
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy
- An introduction to clinical supervision in counselling
Course Fees
Our Foundation Certificate courses contain the same amount of class time and assessments. The accelerated foundation course enables you to complete the course in a shorter time and (on successful completion) move on to our Diploma course without a break. This would be a suitable option for you if you are keen to train as a counsellor in a shorter period and can commit more concentrated time to your studies.
Courses can become oversubscribed, so we encourage early enrolment. Places on each intake will be offered to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Fast Track Evenings)
March 2026 – July 2026
Friday evenings and four weekends, for four months
- Dates: 13th March – 19th July 2026
- Time: 18:00 – 21:30
- Location: TAC Clapham
- Fee: £2,600
Please note dates are subject to change
| 2026 MODULE 1 | Fridays (6pm – 9:30pm) | Saturdays (10am – 5pm) | Sundays (10am – 5pm) |
| Class 1 | 13th March | ||
| Class 2 | 20th March | ||
| Weekend One | 21st March | ||
| Class 3,4,5,6 | 22nd March | ||
| Class 7 | 27th March | ||
| EASTER BREAK 30 March – 10 April | |||
| MODULE 2 | |||
| Class 8 | 17th April | ||
| Class 9 | 24th April | ||
| Class 10 | 1st May | ||
| Class 13, 14, 15, 16 | 2nd May | ||
| Class 13, 14, 15, 16 | 3rd May | ||
| Class 11 | 8th May | ||
| Class 12 | 15th May | ||
| Weekend Two | 16th May | ||
| Class 17 | 22nd May | ||
| Class 18 | 29th May | ||
| Class 19 | 5th June | ||
| MODULE 3 | |||
| Class 20 | 12th June | ||
| Class 21 | 19th June | ||
| Weekend Three | 20th June | ||
| Class 22, 23, 24, 25 | 21st June | ||
| Class 26 | 26th June | ||
| Class 27 | 3rd July | ||
| Class 28 | 10th July | ||
| Class 29 | 17th July | ||
| Weekend Four | 18th July | ||
| Class 30, 31, 32, 33 | 19th July | ||
Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Fast Track Evenings)
March 2026 – July 2026
Friday evenings and four weekends, for four months
- Dates: 13th March – 19th July 2026
- Time: 18:00 – 21:30
- Location: TAC Tooting
- Fee: £2,600
Please note dates are subject to change
| 2026 MODULE 1 | Fridays (6pm – 9:30pm) | Saturdays (10am – 5pm) | Sundays (10am – 5pm) |
| Class 1 | 13 March | ||
| Class 2 | 20 March | ||
| Class 3 | 27 March | ||
| Weekend One | 28 March | ||
| Class 4,5,6,7 | 29 March | ||
| EASTER BREAK | |||
| MODULE 2 | |||
| Class 8 | 17 April | ||
| Class 9 | 24 April | ||
| Class 10 | 1 May | ||
| Class 11 | 8 May | ||
| Class 12 | 15 May | ||
| Weekend Two | 16 May | ||
| Class 13, 14, 15, 16 | 17 May | ||
| Class 17 | 22 May | ||
| Class 18 | 29 May | ||
| Class 19 | 5 June | ||
| MODULE 3 | |||
| Class 20 | 12 June | ||
| Class 21 | 19 June | ||
| Weekend Three | 20 June | ||
| Class 22, 23, 24, 25 | 21 June | ||
| Class 26 | 26 June | ||
| Class 27 | 3 July | ||
| Class 28 | 10 July | ||
| Class 29 | 17 July | ||
| Weekend Four | 18 July | ||
| Class 30, 31, 32, 33 | 19 July |
Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Fast Track Evenings)
March 2026 – August 2026
Monday evenings and four weekends, for five months
- Dates: 14th March – 24th August 2026
- Time: 18:00 – 21:30
- Location: TAC Tooting
- Fee: £2,600
Please note dates are subject to change
MODULE 1 | Mondays (6pm – 9:30pm) | Saturdays (10am – 5pm) | Sundays (10am – 5pm) |
| Weekend One | 14th March | ||
| Class 1, 2, 3, 4 | 15th March | ||
| Class 5 | 16th March | ||
| Class 6 | 23rd March | ||
| EASTER BREAK | |||
| MODULE 2 | |||
| Class 7 | 20th April | ||
| Class 8 | 27th April | ||
| Weekend Two | 9th May | ||
| Class 9, 10, 11, 12 | 10th May | ||
| Class 13 | 11th May | ||
| Class 14 | 18th May | ||
| Class 15 | 1st June | ||
| Class 16 | 8th June | ||
| Class 17 | 15th June | ||
| Class 18 | 22nd June | ||
| Class 19 | 29th June | ||
| MODULE 3 | |||
| Weekend Three | 4th July | ||
| Class 20, 21, 22, 23 | 5th July | ||
| Class 24 | 6th July | ||
| Class 25 | 13th July | ||
| Class 26 | 20th July | ||
| Class 27 | 27th July | ||
| Class 28 | 10th August | ||
| Class 29 | 17th August | ||
| Weekend Four | 23rd August | ||
| Class 30, 31, 32, 33 | 24th August | ||
Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Fast Track)
March 2026 – August 2026
Tuesday evenings and four weekends, for four months
- Dates: 21st March – 26th July 2026
- Time: 18:00 – 21:30
- Location: Tooting
- Fee: £2,600
Please note dates are subject to change
| Tuesdays (6pm – 9:30pm) | Saturdays (10am – 5pm) | Sundays (10am – 5pm) | |
| MODULE 1 | |||
| Weekend One | 21 March | ||
| Class 1, 2, 3, 4 | 22 March | ||
| Class 5 | 24 March | ||
| Class 6 | 31 March | ||
| EASTER BREAK | |||
| MODULE 2 | |||
| Class 7 | 14 April | ||
| Class 8 | 21 April | ||
| Weekend Two | 25 April | ||
| Class 9, 10, 11, 12 | 26 April | ||
| Class 13 | 28 April | ||
| Class 14 | 05 May | ||
| Class 15 | 12 May | ||
| Class 16 | 19 May | ||
| Class 17 | 26 May | ||
| Class 18 | 02 June | ||
| Class 19 | 09 June | ||
| MODULE 3 | |||
| Weekend Three | 13 June | ||
| Class 20, 21, 22, 23 | 14 June | ||
| Class 24 | 16 June | ||
| Class 25 | 23 June | ||
| Class 26 | 30 June | ||
| Class 27 | 07 July | ||
| Class 28 | 14 July | ||
| Class 29 | 21 July | ||
| Weekend Four | 25 July | ||
| Class 30, 31, 32, 33 | 26 July | ||
Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Evenings)
April 2026 – March 2027
Thursday evenings, for eleven months
- Dates: 23rd April 2026 – 25th March 2027
- Time: 18:00 – 21:00
- Location: TAC Tooting
- Fee: £2,600
Please note dates are subject to change
| 2026 MODULE 1 | Thursdays (6pm – 9pm) |
| Class 1 | 23rd April |
| Class 2 | 30th April |
| Class 3 | 7th May |
| Class 4 | 14th May |
| Class 5 | 21st May |
| Class 6 | 28th May |
| Class 7 | 4th June |
| Class 8 | 11th June |
| Class 9 | 18th June |
| Class 10 | 25th June |
| Class 11 | 2nd July |
| Class 12 | 9th July |
| Class 13 | 16th July |
| Class 14 | 23rd July |
| SUMMER BREAK | |
| MODULE 2 | |
| Class 15 | 10th September |
| Class 16 | 17th September |
| Class 17 | 24th September |
| Class 18 | 1st October |
| Class 19 | 8th October |
| Class 20 | 15th October |
| Class 21 | 22nd October |
| Class 22 | 29th October |
| Class 23 | 5th November |
| Class 24 | 12th November |
| Class 25 | 19th November |
| Class 26 | 26th November |
| Class 27 | 4th December |
| Class 28 | 11th December |
| WINTER BREAK | |
| 2027 MODULE 3 | |
| Class 29 | 7th January |
| Class 30 | 14th January |
| Class 31 | 21st January |
| Class 32 | 28th January |
| Class 33 | 4th February |
| Class 34 | 11th February |
| Class 35 | 18th February |
| Class 36 | 25th February |
| Class 37 | 4th March |
| Class 38 | 11th March |
| Class 39 | 18th March |
| Class 40 | 25th March |
Payment options
Full payment: Initial deposit of £350 required on course agreement. Balance payment £2,250. Total – £2,600
Monthly payment: Initial deposit of £350 required on course agreement. 10 x monthly instalments of £250 by direct debit. Total – £2,850. (This increased fee includes administration costs).
Fast-track course full payment: Initial deposit of £450 required on course agreement. Balance payment £2150. Total – £2,600.
Fast-track course monthly payment: Initial deposit of £450 required on course agreement. 5 x monthly instalments of £480 by direct debit. Total – £2850. (This increased fee includes administration costs).
All fees are inclusive of 20% VAT. Deposits are non-refundable. Your statutory rights remain unaffected and are detailed in the contract you will receive upon enrolment.
If you have any questions, give us a call to talk through course and payment plans on 020 3051 8235.
FIND OUT MORE
If you would like any further information, please contact the Training School team at [email protected] or call 020 3051 8235.
Our Foundation Certificate in Counselling offers a comprehensive overview of counselling in practice by discussing different theoretical approaches and processing your learning in skills practice. Students will explore their personal development within the group and write reflective journals to support their counselling journey.
To complete the course, students must attend 80% of the training and pass two written assignments of 3000 words. Students are supported by their lead tutor and peers throughout the course by having the space to reflect and process feedback. Students will also meet with their tutors for end of module tutorials. Our management team has an ‘open door policy’ to discuss any practical matters concerning your course.
To complete the course you will need to:
- Attend 80% of the training
- Complete a personal development journal
- Demonstrate satisfactory progress in theoretical understanding, counselling skills practice, personal development, and how theory relates to personal experience. You’ll receive reflections and feedback from your tutor and peers throughout the course
- Submit end-of-module reflective views
- Complete and pass two assignments (3000 words each)
- Attend end-of-module tutorials
- Be in personal therapy or have a minimum of twelve sessions of counselling with a qualified therapist during the first term of your course. (Students will fund their personal therapy)
Academic Writing Assistance (optional)
TAC works with Ash Phipps to give students access to tuition in academic writing. Ash has 10 years’ experience teaching study skills strategies to students who want to develop their writing skills and specialises in SpLDs (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, Autism).
For any further questions and fees, please call 020 3051 8235 or email [email protected]
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the training process, our team is here to answer them – big or small. Don’t hesitate to call us!
Counselling: Course FAQs
Who does the teaching?
We ensure that all of our tutors are experienced counselling professionals. During the counselling course, you will attend face-to-face skills workshops and lectures provided by our specialist faculty. We strive to provide you with the most valuable training experience possible. Find out more about the faculty here.
Who can apply for TAC’s Foundation Certificate in Counselling?
You don’t need any previous qualifications or experience to enrol on this course.
What is the Enrolment Process?
Firstly, complete the online enrolment form, which includes a personal statement. You will then be invited to an online interview with a senior member of the Training School team. The interview is structured to give all students a similar experience. You will be asked questions to ensure that you have the time availability and emotional maturity to be able to commit to making the course a success.
How long is the Foundation Certificate in Counselling course?
Our Foundation Certificate in Counselling runs from one of our centres in Clapham or Tooting, south London. It is a part-time course, which provides 100 guided learning hours over ten months (or six months if on the accelerated course). You will attend face-to-face workshops and other training sessions during weekends throughout the year.
Will I gain practical experience too?
Yes. You’ll be practising counselling/helping skills with your peers throughout the course while also learning about clear, professional boundaries.
What can I study after the Foundation Certificate?
Following this course, you can enrol on the Diploma in Integrative Counselling and qualify as a professional counsellor. If you’re not sure about your next steps, you can always speak to a member of our team who will be able to answer your questions.
FIND OUT MORE
If you would like any further information, please contact the Training School team at [email protected] or call 020 3051 8235.
Student Reviews
Our Foundation Certificate in Counselling students have provided some great feedback on what developing your counselling skills can be like at The Awareness Centre. Read about their experience at The Awareness Centre Training School.
I have very much enjoyed my time as a student here at The Awareness Centre. Our tutor has been great. I look forward to continuing with my studies here with The Awareness Centre in the future.
The content of the Foundation Certificate in Counselling was excellent. I learnt so much about different theories and some of the counselling skills that can be used in the counselling relationship. The course far exceeded my expectations. The tutor was brilliant and managed the group very well. She was very warm and approachable. I’m so glad that I did the course at TAC and will certainly recommend it to others thinking about doing a counselling course.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the training process, our team is here to answer them – big or small. Don’t hesitate to call us!
The Tutors
Click on the profiles below to learn more about our Foundation Certificate in Counselling tutors.
FIND OUT MORE
If you would like any further information, please contact the Training School team at [email protected] or call 020 3051 8235.