Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills

1. COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY CENTRAL AWARDING BODY THE ONLY AWARDING BODY IN EUROPE TO SPECIALISE IN THE FIELD OF COUNSELLING Level 2 Awardin Introduction to Counselling Skills Are you a good listener? Would you like to learn some initial counselling skills? Do you like the idea of trying a short course before deciding on any further, more in-depth training? To view this short presentation, please click the arrow ...

2. Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills • During this short presentation you can: • Discover what’s meant by an “introduction to counselling skills” and who the qualification is for. • Get a sense of what happens on a course leading to this award. • Find out how such training might benefit you. • Learn more about the qualification. To continue, please click the arrow ...

3. Navigation Click on any heading you like, or else click the orange arrow below to see the 1st item in the list … Who is this qualification for? What are initial counselling skills? A basic listening skill (video) What sort of things might I be doing during course sessions? What sort of work outside the course would I need to do? How would I be assessed? Students, in their own words (video) About the qualification (safe and fit-for-purpose) Its place in the wider plan

4. Who is this qualification for? No previous training or experience is required. The qualification would suit those who want to do one or more of the following: • Learn some initial listening and responding skills. • Help and support others. • Test the water before deciding on any further, more in-depth training. • Develop more confident communication skills. • Learn a little bit more about themselves. What are initial counselling skills? … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

5. What are initialcounselling skills? They include: • The basics of active listening and helpful responding (open vs. closed questions, for example). • Understanding how helping work differs from (for example) friendship or coaching. • Knowing how to convey empathy (and how it differs from sympathy). • Being able to create a safe space, where the person seeking help feels OK with talking about what they need. • Helping someone to better understand their situation and identify what actions they might take. And now for something more visual … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

6. A basic listening skill … Have you Heard? This short video demonstrates “reflecting back” (or paraphrasing) … Pleaseclick me: What sort of things will I learn or be doing during course sessions? … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

7. What sort of things might I be doing during course sessions? • Learning some basics about listening and responding to someone seeking help. • Developing practical skills. • Improving your communications skills. • Learning more about yourself. It’s not about academic ability and no previous training or experience is needed. The journey is as important as the destination. There’s more … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

8. What sort of things might I be doing during course sessions? • Practical exercises and role play. • Developing self-awareness. • Learning about skills, blocks to listening, empathy, body language, ethics and boundaries. • Giving and receiving feedback. • Group work and discussions. What sort of work outside the course would I need to do? … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

9. What sort of work outside the course would I need to do? You’d need to explore your learning by writing down weekly reflections on your experiences during the course (e.g. about discussions that took place, skills practice sessions, things you’ve read etc). How would I be assessed? To achieve the qualification you’d have to be assessed as ‘Proficient’ by your tutor. She/he would examine a collection of your coursework (including records of feedback on your skills practice) to see what you’ve learnt. If I gained this qualification, what would be its value ?… ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

10. Students, in their own words … Here’s what CPCAB-registered students have said about the training they’ve received and experiences gained … Pleaseclick me (a 2 minute video) More about the value of a CPCAB qualification … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

11. About the CPCAB qualification • Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills: • From the only awarding body to specialise in the counselling field. • Accredited into the government’s Qualification & Credit Framework. • Around 30 learning hours: usually one 2½ – 3 hour session per week. • Based on learning to use initial skills competently, safely and ethically. • Designed and supported by experienced counsellors, counselling tutors and counselling programme managers. And it’s a safe and fit-for-purpose qualification … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page http://www.cpcab.co.uk/learners/centrefinder.php

12. Safe & fit-for-purpose ... • A safe qualification because it enables helpers to: • Know their limits. • Establish boundaries (e.g. concerning confidentiality & available time). A fit for purpose qualification because it’s: • Geared to a short, ‘taster’ course (students can test the water before deciding on any further, more in-depth training). • Part of a coherent progression route: provides for step-by-step learning. • Needed: contributes to society’s psychological health, providing skills that are useful in a variety of roles. So how does it relate to other CPCAB qualifications? … ]Return to ‘Navigation’ page

13. Where does this award fit in the wider plan? It’s the (optional) start of a path which leads onto a full training in counselling skills and beyond. Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills OK. You’ve reached the end of this slide-show. Please click here to find out where your nearest introductory skills course is running … Or else click the arrow below to return to the Navigation page.