Foundation Certificate in Counselling

Take your first steps towards becoming a counsellor with our Foundation Certificate in 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. Designed and run by specialists in the therapy field, our highly experienced tutors deliver this face-to-face course at our Clapham or Tooting training centres in South London. Embark on this rewarding career path and enrol today.

The Awareness Centre Training School

How to Enrol

Complete the online form to enrol on the next available intake for our Foundation Certificate in Counselling. Our 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.

January 2024 – November 2024

Two weekdays a month, for ten months

  • Dates: 4th January 2024 – 21st November 2024
  • Day: Thursday
  • Time: 10:00 – 16:00
  • Location: TAC Clapham
  • Fee: £2,850

Enrolment open

Payment options

Full payment: Total – £2,850

Monthly payment: Initial deposit* of £500 required on course agreement and 10 x monthly instalments** of £261.50 by direct debit. Total –  £3,115

*  Deposits are non-refundable
** Late installments will incur a 5% charge.

All fees are inclusive of 20% VAT.

Thursdays 10am to 4pm

Day 14th January 2024
Day 218th January 2024
Day 31st February 2024
Day 415th February 2024
Day 57th March 2024
Day 621st March 2024
Day 711th April 2024
Day 825th April 2024

Spring Break

Day 99th May 2024
Day 1023rd May 2024
Day 1113th June 2024
Day 1227th June 2024
Day 1311th July 2024
Day 1425th July 2024

August Break

Day 155th September 2024
Day 1619th September 2024
Day 173rd October 2024
Day 1817th October 2024
Day 197th November 2024
Day 2021st November 2024

April 2024 – March 2025

Two weekdays a month, for ten months

  • Dates: 12th April 2024 – 28th March 2025
  • Day: Friday
  • Time: 10:00 – 16:00
  • Location: TBC
  • Fee: £2,850

Enrolment opens January 2024

Payment options

Full payment: Total – £2,850

Monthly payment: Initial deposit* of £500 required on course agreement and 10 x monthly instalments** of £261.50 by direct debit. Total –  £3,115

*  Deposits are non-refundable
** Late installments will incur a 5% charge.

All fees are inclusive of 20% VAT.

Fridays 10am to 4pm
Day 112th April 2024
Day 226th April 2024
Day 310th May 2024
Day 424th May 2024
Half Term
Day 57th June 2024
Day 621st June 2024
Day 75th July 2024
Day 819th July 2024
Summer Break
Day 96th September 2024
Day 1020th September 2024
Day 114th October 2024
Day 1218th October 2024
Day 138th November 2024
Day 1422nd November 2024
Christmas Break
Day 1510th January 2025
Day 1624th January 2025
Day 177th February 2025
Day 1828th February 2025
Day 1914th March 2025
Day 2028th March 2025

Enquire Now

If you would like any further information, please contact the Training School team at [email protected] or call 020 3051 8235.

Foundation Certificate in Counselling: Course Content Overview

The Foundation Certificate in Counselling is delivered in three modules across three terms, each including the following main components:

  • Theory lectures and discussion groups
  • Skills practice workshops
  • Personal development activities

Read what previous students say about the Foundation Certificate in Counselling

Module 1: Helping & Counselling

This module of the counselling certificate focuses on developing your understanding of what counselling is and is not:

  • 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
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • An introduction to clinical supervision in counselling
shutterstock 21360179 Certificate in Counselling

Counselling Certificate Assessment

Our Foundation Certificate in Counselling offers a comprehensive overview of key counselling practices and gives students the opportunity to explore these through both theoretical and hands-on approaches. The counselling certificate is assessed through written assignments, reflective journals and therapy sessions. 

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 (2,500 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)

Enquire Now

If you would like any further information, please contact the Training School team at [email protected] or call 020 3051 8235.

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.

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. You will attend face-to-face workshops and other training sessions during weekends throughout the year.

What is the cost of a Certificate in Counselling?

The overall Foundation in Counselling Certificate course fee is £3,115 (including 20% VAT). We offer a 5% discount on the total price if you pay the full cost upfront, reducing the fee to £2959.25. Alternatively, you can pay a deposit of £500 and 5 monthly direct debit instalments of £523.

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.

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.

Module 2 has taken us on a journey into the theories of some of the greats of the counselling world. It’s been really interesting learning about the different models. It’s a chance to help us decide, when treating clients, which is the category that the client may fit into. TAC has presented the models clearly and concisely, they have allowed us to be interactive and pro-active with class presentations and experiencing the counselling setting in a fishbowl scenario. I’ve enjoyed the intensity of this part of the course.

Aisha

The Awareness Centre feels like it is the start of a long but rewarding journey. I am left feeling inspired and motivated.

B.P

After searching many counselling courses online, I came across the Foundation Certificate in Counselling course with The Awareness Centre. I decided to apply for this course, as I really liked the sound of what was being offered.

I can clearly say that now I am halfway through the course, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The course is put together very well, I have amazing classmates and an excellent teacher who is knowledgeable and approachable. Bonny makes the classes fun, interactive and is always helpful if you have any questions.

This course has truly been an invaluable learning experience for me and has given me a good grounding in counselling theory and practical skills.  My self-confidence has grown because of this course, which is due to the great support that I have received from The Awareness Centre staff.

This course has exceeded my expectations significantly, and I would recommend it to anyone who is unsure which counselling course to take.

S.C

Academic Writing Assistance

TAC works with the On Your Team coaching and editing group and Ash Phipps to give students access to tuition in academic writing.

On Your Team offers one-to-one coaching in academic writing as well as editing services.

Ash Phipps has 10 years’ experience teaching study skills strategies to students with SpLDs (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, Autism).

Both offer set or hourly rates to support the academic writing of your assignments.

For any further questions, please email [email protected]

Additional Fees

  • A minimum of six sessions of personal therapy
  • Core reading material and study materials
  • Resubmission of assignments
  • Support with academic writing (Optional)

Enquire Now

If you would like any further information, please contact the Training School team at [email protected] or call 020 3051 8235.

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