International Institute of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy sealIICAPCounselling & Applied Psychotherapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice

Foundations of Counselling Skills

Build a confident, ethical foundation in core counselling skills — active listening, empathy, and the therapeutic relationship.

60 CPD hours10 weeksCertificate

Course overview

This certificate gives you a rigorous, practice-led grounding in the skills that underpin effective counselling. Through guided learning and reflective exercises, you will develop the listening, attending and responding skills at the heart of every therapeutic conversation.

Designed for newcomers to the field and for healthcare professionals who want to strengthen their relational practice, the course balances theory with applied skill-building and a strong emphasis on ethics and self-awareness.

What you'll learn

  • Apply core counselling skills: active listening, reflection, paraphrasing and summarising
  • Build and maintain an ethical therapeutic relationship
  • Recognise the role of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard
  • Reflect critically on your own practice and personal development

Curriculum

Module 1 — The therapeutic relationship

  • What counselling is (and is not)
  • The core conditions
  • Boundaries and the working alliance

Module 2 — Core listening skills

  • Active listening and attending
  • Reflection and paraphrasing
  • Working with silence

Module 3 — Ethics and self-awareness

  • Ethical frameworks in practice
  • Confidentiality and its limits
  • Reflective practice and self-care

Accreditation

CPD-accredited certificate; 60 CPD hours suitable for continuing professional development portfolios.

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Interested in Foundations of Counselling Skills?

Send us an enquiry and our team will help you decide if this course is the right fit for your goals.