Foundation Certificate in Counselling

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 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. Designed and run by specialists in the therapy field, our highly experienced tutors deliver this face-to-face course at our Tooting training centre in South London. Embark on this rewarding career path and enrol today.

Our March and April courses are now full. Due to high demand we have released our September dates. Courses can become oversubscribed, so we encourage early enrolment. 
The Awareness Centre Training School

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

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!

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.

We are now interviewing. 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 (Accelerated Evenings)

September 2025 – March 2026

Friday evenings and three weekends, for six months

  • Dates: 12th September 2025 – 6th March 2026
  • Time: 18:00 – 21:30
  • Location: TAC Clapham
  • Fee: £2,600

Enrol today – Applications close 27th June 2025

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Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Accelerated – Evenings)

September 2025 – March 2026

Friday evenings and three weekends, for five and a half months

  • Dates: 19th September 2025 – 13th March 2026
  • Time: 18.00 – 21.30
  • Location: TAC Tooting
  • Fee: £2,600

Enrol today – Applications close 27th June 2025

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Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Accelerated – Weekends)

September 2025 – March 2026

Saturdays & Sundays, for five and a half months

  • Dates: 20th September 2025 – 1st March 2026
  • Time: 10.00 – 16.00
  • Location: TAC Tooting
  • Fee: £2,600

Enrol today – Applications close 27th June 2025

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(10am – 4pm)
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Foundation Certificate in Counselling (Accelerated – Evenings)

September 2025 – March 2026

Monday evenings and three weekends, for five and a half months

  • Dates: 22nd September 2025 – 9th March 2026
  • Time: 18.00 – 21.30
  • Location: TAC Tooting
  • Fee: £2,600

Enrol today – Applications close 27th June 2025

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Foundation Certificate in Counselling

September 2025 – July 2026

Wednesday evenings, for ten months

  • Dates: 24th September 2025 – 22nd July 2026
  • Time: 18:00 – 21:00
  • Location: TAC Tooting
  • Fee: £2,600

Enrol today – Applications close 27th June 2025

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(6pm – 9pm)
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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).

Accelerated course full payment: Initial deposit of £450 required on course agreement. Balance payment £2150. Total – £2,600.

Accelerated 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.

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.

shutterstock 2058088850 Certificate in Counselling

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. 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.

Bonny is amazing. I would happily do the foundation course all over again just to have the opportunity to continue to learn from her. She inspires me to one day, hopefully become an amazing therapist myself. She ignites the passion I have for this profession within me when she shares her own experiences and how much she loves what she does. We can all feel the love and care emanating from her in the room and she really holds the space so incredibly well.

N

So far, my experience at TAC has been really fulfilling. The first module of the Foundation has led to some great friendships and shown me that working towards becoming a therapist is the path I want to be on. My instructor has also been incredible so far, and I find the TAC team to always be accessible and available for any questions I may have, or help I need. I am really grateful I found this programme!

Meghan

The Awareness Centre has been amazing in teaching the Foundation Certificate in Counselling and at addressing both the skills and theoretical background of counselling. Bonny has been a great teacher. I enjoyed the learning seminars and working with a diverse group of students, this has shown me the practical part of counselling, and what is needed in this profession.

Manal

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.
Emma Leonce

Emma Leonce – Lead Foundation Tutor/Diploma Tutor

Patrizia Vadalà

Patrizia Vadalà – Lead Foundation Tutor/ Lead Diploma Tutor

Steve Henfrey Certificate in Counselling

Steve Henfrey – Lead Foundation Tutor/Diploma Tutor

Bonny Allyson

Bonny Allyson – Lead Foundation Tutor/ Diploma Tutor

FIND OUT MORE

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