Learn To Be A Qualified Counsellor

And experience immense satisfaction as you assist others overcome seemingly impossible challenges

Dear Counselling Enthusiast,

Have you ever imagined what your life would be like if you had a professional, recognised counselling qualification… and what that qualification would mean for your future?

With your recognized counselling qualification you’ll be ready to take on exciting new job opportunities or enhance your current role to take advantage of future promotions. Or maybe you’d like to set up your own private counselling practice and experience the many personal and financial rewards that working for yourself provides.

Whatever you’re imagining, it’s all possible with a qualification from the College of Counselling – one of the largest, longest established counselling education specialists.

High quality training
18-years experience
Flexible delivery mode – home, online, in-class
Self paced learning
Specialise in your area of interest
Over 65 degree qualified education team

Like So Many Of Our Graduates, You Will Be Able
To Create Lasting Change And Have A Major Positive
Influence On The Wellbeing Of People In Your Community

By working with major welfare, support or government agencies in areas such as child protection, youth counselling, family welfare, Court Support, Telephone Counselling, Corrective Services, career guidance and much more.

Or you can establish your own Private Practice which will give you the freedom and flexibility to set your own hours and fees and enjoy the many exciting benefits of owning your own business.

Here’s our Education Ambassador,
Louise Whitehead:

Imagine Being Passionate About Your Work
And Assisting People Every Day
Lead Better Lives

It’s rare these days to hear people talk about their work with true passion. You hear so many stories of people working to pay the bills; putting up with imperfect situations; and compromising on their true desires.

That’s why it’s always so refreshing to hear regular stories from graduates living their dream to be a Counsellor. They’re always so full of energy, enthusiasm and passion. There’s no doubt that counselling is one of the most personally rewarding and enriching professions.

Just imagine someone comes to you for assistance. They’re emotionally paralysed by events in their life. They can’t even see a future for themselves. They can only focus on their pain and grief. The despair is so acute it pervades their entire life. Their relationship is breaking down and heading towards a divorce. They can’t focus on work and are getting in trouble with their boss. They feel they should be able to handle their problems alone, but know they can’t. It makes them feel helpless, worthless. Their self esteem has never been lower. They’re caught in a cycle of destruction and pain.

Now imagine you have the knowledge and skills to help this person overcome their challenges. You assist to relieve their intense emotional pain. You give them hope for the future. You assist to rebuild their self esteem and lead a satisfying, empowered life.

As a Counsellor you can experience these personal victories every day. And it’s truly enriching. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping another person overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.

Learn About Yourself As You Help Others

Life can be challenging at times. We’re forced to confront issues we’re not prepared for. Unfortunately, we’re not born into this world with a user manual. We’re required to go through life doing the best we can. Sure we have friends and family to help us, but they’re also just doing the best they can.

A wonderful benefit of becoming a Counsellor is the self-learning. Becoming a Counsellor is an enjoyable journey of self discovery. Counselling is a science of personal effectiveness. An understanding of counselling principles provides you with a clear understanding of yourself, as well as those around you.

As a Counsellor you’ll understand why you feel, think and behave as you do. And you’ll be able to implement strategies in your own life so that you’re happier, healthier, and more able to face life’s challenges.

Learning That Fits Around Your Lifestyle

Today there are more and more demands on your time. Gaining a qualification can be difficult when you have to fit it around other commitments.

Most course providers still design their courses using traditional methods. That was fine 10 years ago when most students studied full time. Today we don’t have that luxury. You need to fit competing career, family and lifestyle needs into the same hours.

That’s why the College focuses on external, flexible training. Our learning methods have evolved with the times. Our training methods set a precedent in flexibility and support. This means you can fit your learning around your lifestyle whilst maintaining exceptional levels of quality and support.

College courses are designed to maximise your learning from home. You can progress at your own pace, and assessment is progressive.

The specialised course material and extensive support provide you with all the expert support and advice you need. Because you are in total control of your study time, you can complete your course several times faster than by other means.

Over 55,000 Students In 18 Years, In 27 Countries Have Been Delighted In Their Counselling Qualification

We have helped over 55,000 people from 27 countries pursue their dream of assisting others with a recognised Counselling qualification.

It’s been a wonderful journey over the last 18 years. And it’s been a pleasure to assist so many people realise their Counselling aspirations in that time. Why are so many people delighted with their studies? Our research over the years highlights three keys points:

Our courses and personnel have just ONE specific focus… Excellence in Counselling Education. We live and breathe counselling education! Nothing else gets in the way.
Exceptional value in your education investment. Our courses are always extremely cost effective and high in educational value. Our unique focus on counselling education, the large number of students undertaking our programs, and the creative way we deliver our courses provide us with cost savings that we pass on to you. Providing exceptional value in counselling education has been a cornerstone mission of the College from the very day we began.
The flexibility to study where, when and how you want to. Our blended delivery options allow you to study in the manner that best suits you. And you can undertake your studies at a pace that suits you... 12 to 18 months or over 2, 3 even 4 years or more. You decide because you are in charge.

We understand that no two people have the same circumstances. You no doubt have issues affecting your life that are unique to you and affect the speed and manner you’d like to study. You may be working full or part-time, undertaking other studies, or may not have studied for a long time. Let’s face it, life is not predictable and in today’s fast paced society it’s important that your education is flexible enough to fit in with your other obligations.

Flexible Course Delivery So YOU
Set The Rules For How And When You Learn

The Colleges highly acclaimed Diploma of Professional Counselling is designed so that you determine the manner and pace you study. You study entirely at your own pace and you can start at any time, graduating in only 12 to 18-months (even less if you fast track).

Not only can you set the pace you study, you also determine the mode you want to study. You can study Externally (at home with phone and email access to our counselling tutors), In-Class, Online, or any combination… all the time fully supported by our large qualified team.

External learning means you can complete your entire course from the comfort of your home (or office, or overseas, or virtually anywhere!). Your course comes complete with fully self-contained, referenced and professionally presented learning materials including 22 individual workbooks, readings and audio CD’s. It really is as simple as working through the material and contacting us for support along the way. If you live locally to one of our support centres you can also attend tutorials to provide you with face to face contact if you wish. (This option is ideal if you enjoy working more independently or have a busy schedule).
In-Class learning is a classroom forum where you learn with other students from a qualified lecturer. Classes are available in most main cities, at flexible times. In-Class is a great way for you to accelerate your learning, interact with other students and stay highly motivated. (This option is particularly suitable if you enjoy learning in the classroom environment with other students).
Online learning allows you to complete your learning entirely via your PC. You still receive all the high quality hardcopy resources (so you don’t miss out on anything!), but you’ll access all your learning materials and complete assessments online.
Any Combination. Of course you don’t have to stick with one learning method throughout your studies. You’re welcome to use whichever method suits your needs and desires at the time. You may choose to complete one unit In-Class, another Online, then Externally. Whatever is most convenient!

We’ve Invested Literally Hundreds Of Thousands Of Pounds
Over The Last 18 Years Refining And Developing Our
Industry Leading Course Materials And Resources
In Close Consultation With Many Of The Industries
Most Highly Respected Professionals…

…All To DRAMATICALLY Improve Your Comprehension
And Learning Speed So That Achieving Your
QualificationsIs Something You’ll Gain
Immense Joy And Satisfaction From

No other training organisation provides its students with such high quality, user friendly and well researched learning resources. All the learning material you require to complete your studies is provided to you. You don’t have to purchase any other textbooks or search for other resources.

Our dedicated Course Development Team have worked tirelessly to cleverly design your course resources. They are entirely self-contained so you can progress seamlessly through the Diploma.

Your course includes 22 Workbooks that contain all the activities that’ll assist you master your skills as a professional Counsellor. Each workbook as been specifically designed to maximize your learning and assist you develop your skills at your own pace.

Your Books of Readings contain all the underpinning theories and information necessary to build your knowledge. The Readings contain the teachings and methodology used by 56 of the worlds leading and most respected Counsellors and psychologists.

Each study pack also includes an audio CD that assists you get the most from every unit. Each CD discusses specific topics in the units, walks you through where to start reading, and teaches you how to set up an effect study pattern.

You’ll Graduate With A Qualification That Is Of
The HIGHEST Industry Standard

The Diploma of Professional Counselling is a qualification that’s extremely well regarded. Our graduates are highly sought after and earn the respect of their peers for their skills and problem solving abilities.

The 22 Unit course has been painstakingly developed and refined over 18 years in close consultation with industry leading professionals and employers of Counsellors. Together with completing written units, you also complete 10 practical days. This is where you demonstrate your skills and apply what you’ve learnt in ‘real life’ counselling scenarios. You’ll find the experience extremely empowering and rewarding. Of course, if you’re studying externally and can’t physically attend the practical days there are several alternate means to learn and apply these skills.

The course comprises a total of 22 units including:-

Unit 1 - Introduction to the Counselling Industry

The first unit of the Diploma of Professional Counselling introduces the ethical and legal framework a counsellor should work within. The unit also identifies issues that may impact on the client-counsellor relationship and will allow the student to:

Reflect upon counsellor challenges that may impact on the counselling process
Identify rights and responsibilities of the counsellor
Identify rights and responsibilities of the client
Analyse issues involved in counselling practice
Counselling roles
Analyse issues within the client-counsellor relationship, and
Identify areas of personal and professional growth.

Unit 2 - Specialist Interpersonal Communication

This unit involves the exploration and application of basic interpersonal communication skills to facilitate the client-counsellor relationship within a counselling practice. The unit covers the application of:

Counsellor observation skills
Counsellor questioning skills
Counsellor feedback skills
Noting and reflecting
The variables in communication, and
The impact of communication.

Unit 3 - Counselling Interview Skills

Unit 3 builds on the basic skills of Unit 2 and covers advanced interpersonal communication skills. There is a particular emphasis on facilitating the client-counsellor relationship within a counselling practice. At its completion, students will be able to apply:

Advanced counselling skills
Micro-skills for influence
Focusing skills, and
Confrontation skills.

Unit 4 - The Counselling Process

This unit focuses on the application of the knowledge and skills required to facilitate the counselling process to encourage and enhance client growth. The following areas are covered in the unit:

Beginning the counselling process
Facilitating the identification of client concerns
Exploring client concerns
Reviewing the counselling process, and
Negotiating the termination of the client-counsellor relationship.

Unit 5 - Personality and Human Development

Unit 5 provides an introduction to key concepts and constructs underlying theories of personality and human development. The unit explores the development of theories of behaviour and their application in the client-counsellor relationship and the counselling process. Students will also apply and analyse the Humanistic Theory and Behaviourism Theory in counselling practice.

Unit 6 - Foundations of Behaviourism

Unit 6 focuses on the theory of behaviourism and the application and impact of stimulus/response theory on behaviour. The unit allows students to apply the theory of stimulus and response in counselling practice, along with analysing and applying negative and positive reinforcement.

Unit 7 - Social Learning

This unit focuses on the application of social learning (modelling) theory in counselling practice addressing the application and impact of social learning on behaviour. In this unit, students will:

Analyse environmental modelling influences in counselling practice
Analyse possible behavioural outcomes of different modelling and reinforcement influences, and
Formulate a program for client change.

Unit 8 - Behaviour Therapy

This unit builds on the skills learned in Unit 6 and focuses on theoretical concepts, processes, knowledge and skills for the analysis and practical application of Behaviour Therapy within counselling practice. The unit covers:

Analysis of client needs using behaviour therapy in counselling practice
Evaluation of limitations of behaviour therapy, and
Application of behaviour therapy techniques in counselling practice.

Unit 9 - Person Centred Therapy

Unit 9 focuses on theoretical concepts, processes, knowledge and skills for the analysis and practical application of Person-Centred Therapy within counselling practice. Students will:

Apply the key concepts of Person Centred Therapy
Analyse Roger's contribution
Analyse Maslow's contribution
Analyse the contributions of the counsellor and the client in the therapeutic process, and
Learn the limitations of Person Centred Therapy.

Unit 10 - Gestalt Therapy

This unit provides an introduction to the key theoretical concepts and techniques of Gestalt Therapy within a counselling practice. Students will:

Apply the key concepts of Gestalt Therapy
Analyse Perl's contribution
Gestalt terms, key concepts and techniques
Overview the therapeutic process, and
Learn the limitations of Gestalt Therapy.

Unit 11 - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

This unit focuses on the application of theoretical concepts, processes, knowledge and skills for the analysis and practical application of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy within counselling practice. Students will:

Apply the key concepts of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Analyse both Beck's and Ellis' contributions
Overview and apply the therapeutic process, and
Learn the limitations of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Unit 12 - Apply Solution Focused Therapy in Counselling

Unit 12 focuses on theoretical concepts, processes, knowledge and skills for the analysis and practical application of Solution Focused Therapy within counselling practice. Along with applying the therapeutic process, students will:

Apply the key concepts of Solution Focused Therapy
Learn the exponents of Solution Focused Therapy, and
Learn the limitations of Solution Focussed Therapy.

Unit 13 - Case Work

Counsellors are often required to deliver specialised client services based on individual case assessment and intervention. In Unit 13, students learn about:

The phases of the counselling process (assessment, intervention and termination)
Crisis intervention
Client's ethical rights
Counsellor's ethical and legal responsibilities
Transition processes
Day to day management in the case work role
Review and evaluation of case work and programs, and
Application of the various therapeutic approaches to the counselling process.

Unit 14 - Case Management

Unit 14 provides students with information on all aspects of case management and encourages consideration of 'best practice'. The unit covers:

Roles of the case manager
Process of case management
Conducting case management meetings
Working with other professionals
Organisational contexts
The client's ethical rights
The counsellor's ethical and legal responsibilities, and
Applicable documentation.

Unit 15 - Stress Management

This unit covers the knowledge and skills necessary for identifying, analysing and evaluating stress and providing remediation programs and/or recommendations to clients exhibiting stress. Students study:

The potential effects of stress upon cognition, behaviour and physiology
Internal and external stressors
The effects of acute and chronic stress
Elicit causal factors and corresponding effects in counselling interviews
Evaluation of case information for remediation or referral, and
Application of functional concepts in formulation of appropriate remediation strategies for the client.

Unit 16 - Family Therapy

This unit focuses on providing an introduction to family therapy processes within counselling practice, including:

The origins of Family Therapy
Leading therapists
Phases of 'treatment'
Assessment of families
Family Therapy concepts and approaches including systems, experiential, cognitive-behavioural and strategic approaches, and
Issues of difference in working with families.

Unit 17 - Working with Difference

The knowledge base of this unit increases the counsellor's insight and sensitivity to the special needs of clients and whose gender, culture, ethnicity, subculture, sexuality and ability is to be recognised in the interaction. Students learn about:

Issues of difference
Social themes on difference
Support for difference, and
Documentation, storage and retrieval of specialist services.

Unit 18 - Apply issues relating to abuse

Unit 18 provides an introduction to a conceptual framework for responsible counselling practice with victims of abuse including statutory requirements and referral to specialist agencies/personnel. The unit covers:

Abuse recognition
Causal theories of abuse
Effects of abuse
Statutory requirements
Implications for counsellors
Support networks, and
Referral processes.

Unit 19 - Relationship Issues

This unit allows the opportunity to analyse relationship functions and dysfunctions and includes techniques for developing healthy relationships. Students examine:

Types of relationships
Dynamics in relationships
Qualities of dysfunctional and healthy relationships
Conflict resolution strategies, and
Referral processes.

Unit 20 - Group Counselling Processes

Unit 20 provides the theoretical basis and practical skills necessary for conducting group counselling sessions. The unit covers:

Theory of group membership
Group structure, process and programming
Planning group counselling sessions
Skills of group facilitation (including dealing with conflict), and
Ethical considerations.

Unit 21 - Ethics and Referral

This unit builds on Unit 1 and provides the opportunity to apply ethical and legal requirements to counselling practice. Students will learn about:

The need for ethical standards
A counsellor's ethical and legal responsibilities
Ethics of dual-role relationships
Ethical problem solving
Referral procedures, and
The need for professional development.

Unit 22 - Contemporary Counselling Issues

The unit provides the opportunity to understand the process of research and undertake a substantial, complex analysis and presentation of a contemporary issue in counselling (as a research project). The unit covers a variety of areas including:

Types of research methods
How to plan, conduct and write up research
Evaluating a contemporary counselling issue
Presentation of an argument that encompasses theory/ models/ principles/ assumptions/ practice in counselling, and
Preparation for employment as a counsellor.

Many Opportunities Exist For Qualified Counsellors
In An Industry That Has Grown Dramatically Over
The Last 10 Years. Now Is The Ideal Time For You
To Secure Your Future And Take Advantage
Of The Increased Awareness And
Popularity Of Counselling

Simply put, the College sets the benchmark in education support. Even if you decide to study entirely at home or online, you’ll never be alone in your studies. We have specialised in external education for over 18 years and have the most highly qualified, professional support team in the industry. Help is only ever a phone call or email away. Our enormous pool of educational resources means you have access to:

An Education team of over 65 degree qualified counselling professionals, all with extensive industry experience and teaching and assessing qualifications.
You’ll have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the online Knowledge Base that contains over 4,000 specific questions and answers relating to your course.
You’ll have unlimited FREE access 9am to 5pm to the Study Assistance Line where you can discuss any study questions you may have with qualified team members.
You’ll have unlimited email support. Send a question any time and have your enquiry replied to within 12 hours.
And you’ll have the support of your local Student Support Centre who will link you into a local student support network (if you wish to stay in touch with other students); help you prepare for your practical assessments; co-ordinate your In-Class or tutorial activities; and set you up in a number of volunteer opportunities if you wish to practice your skills in the field.

In a recently survey of several thousand students (Yes, we regularly ask students and graduates how we are performing so we can continually improve our level of service!), 86% of responders indicated that our level of student support was “Beyond their expectation.”

You’ll Be Supported By The Largest, Most Highly
Qualified Team Of Professionals

The College is one of the largest and longest established educators of Counsellors in the Southern Hemisphere. Our focus is the same today as it has always been – to provide you with the highest quality Counsellor education with a full range of student and graduate support functions.

We have a dedicated team of over 65 psychologists, Counsellors, curriculum writers, educators and industry representatives, whose sole purpose is to ensure our courses are of the highest educational value.

Specialise In An Area Of Interest

The Diploma of Professional Counselling is supported by a number of optional Advanced Study Majors. Advanced Study Majors allow you to study and gain advanced knowledge and skill in the specialised counselling area of your choice. The Advanced Study Major Program involves the completion of one or more optional Advanced Study Majors in addition to the Diploma of Professional Counselling.

The Majors provide you with the opportunity to specialise in any of the following highly relevant fields of counselling:

Abuse Counselling

Unfortunately, in today's society there is an increasing need for counsellor support for individuals and families who are victims of different forms of abuse. The Abuse Counselling Advanced Study Major provides a comprehensive insight into the subject of abuse and teaches the counsellor to deal with sensitive Abuse issues in a professional and practical manner.