Counselling Skills Certificate Level 2

Course Type
Adult Learning
Subject Area
Counselling & Personal Development
Location
Taunton College
Start date
08/01/2026

Course Overview

The level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is for anyone who wants to extend their skills with people. Counselling skills have proved to be effective in many work roles where interactions between people occur. For those who are looking for a change of career to take them into one of the helping professions, this is an excellent starting point. It is particularly relevant for those in education, health, social services, a voluntary organisation, personnel or management. It is also those starting the first level of training as a professional counsellor.

This course will cover:

  • The importance to the counselling process of maintaining appropriate moral and ethical standards according to The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy- (BACP) Ethical Framework
  • The counselling setting
  • Sharpening observation
  • Listening skills
  • Responding skills
  • Deeper level counselling skills and processes
  • The importance of therapeutic alliance to the helping process
  • Awareness, acceptance and understanding of self and others

Learners will also be considering

  • Who am I?
  • How do I respond to others?
  • How do others respond to me? In my work helping others? In the rest of my life?
  • What more do I need to work on and where do I go to do that?
  • Some of the processes and dynamics of the of the group

The tutors delivering this training are members or accredited members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

This award is designed with reference to BACP Core Curriculum and linked to NHS Knowledge and Skills Frameworks and Skills for Health Psychological Therapies standards. This qualification has been given NCPS Recognised Qualification CPCAB CSK-L2 status by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

Assessment Methods

Students can be assessed through a wide range of methods including observation of skills practice, discussion, projects, tutorials, peer and self-assessment, and group work. There are no external assessments such as exams needed to pass the seven outcomes that make up this qualification.

Progression Options

On successful completion of the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills learners can progress to the Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies. BTC provides a range of professional qualifications which can be achieved at different stages throughout your career, and at varying levels, providing clear progression routes.

Entry Requirements

You will need to successfully pass an interview with the course tutor. You will need to demonstrate an active interesting in counselling skills and how these might be used to help others as well as well-developed self-awareness, the ability to give and receive feedback and reflect on your own attitudes and behaviours. You will need to be able to access a personal computer to be able to submit assignment work and access class materials which are held on the Microsoft Teams platform.

*This course is subject to approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.