Counselling: An Introduction



Overview

An introduction to Counselling theory and skills.  Class discussions and pointers towards self-awareness will complement the skills practice. No previous experience is required. By application only.

This is a 10-week introduction to the theory and practice of counselling. It assumes no previous knowledge or experience. Three strands run through the programme: theory, skills and self-awareness. Theory will include the main tenets of counselling skills; an overview of person centred, psychodynamic and behavioural models; and recent developments in psychotherapy. 

Skills practised will include basic listening and responding skills and the development of an empathetic and non-judgmental manner. Students will be encouraged to use their own experience, but will not be expected to discuss very private personal issues. Through the theory and skills practice students are encouraged to reflect on their personal learning in order to gain self awareness.

This is not training in counselling, but provides an opportunity for students to discover whether or not they want to progress to more advanced counselling training. It is also allows students to develop skills that can be transferred into a number of different occupational settings.

Application forms are available to download at the foot of this page, or are available from the Weekly Class Office. 

Programme details

Course starts: 28 April 2025

Please note: there will be no class on the 5th and 26th May due to the public bank holidays

Week 1: Welcome and Introductions

              Presentation on the History of Psychotherapy & discussion

Week 2: Counselling skills - part 1

              Skills practice

Week 3: Counselling skills - part 2                    

              Skills practice

Week 4: Psychodynamic approaches

              Skills practice

Week 5: Behavioural approaches                        

              Skills practice

Week 6: Humanistic approaches                      

              Skills practice

Week 7: Key recent developments in Psychotherapy

              Skills practice                                

Week 8: Ethics

              Skills practice

Week 9: Student presentations

              Skills practice

Week 10: Review and Endings

Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £355.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Ms Lisa Bruton

Lisa Bruton is a Psychotherapist and Tutor, with over 15 years experience.  She has worked for a number of large organisations including the NHS and the Metropolitan Police, and now runs a private practice in Reading where she sees individuals, couples and families. Alongside her MA in Integrative Psychotherapy she has specialist training in Mindfulness, Trauma interventions (including EMDR), and Couples therapy.

Course aims

To introduce participants to the field of counselling. It is aimed both as a way-in to training in counselling or psychotherapy and as a self-standing opportunity for people wanting to know about the discipline. No previous knowledge is required.

Course objectives:

  • To understand what counselling is and the psychological ideas which inform its' practice.
  • To develop good listening and responding skills.
  • To gain in self-awareness.

Teaching methods

Within the maximum of 16 participants, the learning groups will vary. Tutor input of theory will be given to the group-as-a-whole, with the aid of flipchart, small group discussion and case studies. Skills exercises will take place in triads in which appropriate practice will enable gradual acquisition of first level listening, reflecting and counselling skills.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students should:

  • have an understanding of the main schools of Psychotherapy:
  • be confident in the practice of first level counselling skills and be aware of the core conditions needed for a counselling relationship to take place;
  • whether or not they have personal experience of the therapeutic setting as a client or patient, be aware of the importance of knowing their own inner world if they wish to be alongside others, particularly if they wish to embark on further training.

Students who complete the course successfully may wish to consider further courses in Counselling such as those offered by the Department for Continuing Education.

Assessment methods

There will be one written assignment of 1500 words which will offer an opportunity to demonstrate on paper the integration of the three core strands of the course. Alternatively, students may give a short presentation to the class backed up by notes.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

Applications are received on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, direct online enrolments are not available. Instead, please download and complete BOTH forms below and return them to the Weekly Class Programme Office: weeklyclasses@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Payment for the course will be arranged once places are officially offered and accepted, once the tutor has reviewed your application.

1. Enrolment Form (Word) or (Pdf)

2. Counselling Application Form

If you have any questions about the enrolment process please contact us.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support