Counselling: An Introduction



Overview

An introduction to counselling theory and skills.

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. 

No previous experience is required.

Programme details

Course starts Tuesday 30 September 2025

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 10am-12.30pm.

Week 1:

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Presentation and discussion on origins of Counselling

Week 2:

  • Counselling skills - part 1
  • Skills practice

Week 3:

  • Counselling skills - part 2                    
  • Skills practice

Week 4:

  • Psychodynamic approach
  • Skills practice

Week 5:

  • Behavioural approach                        
  • Skills practice

Week 6:

  • Humanistic approach                       
  • Skills practice

Week 7:

  • Active listening and the therapeutic relationship      
  • Skills practice                                

Week 8:

  • Setting the frame: ethics and boundaries
  • Skills practice

Week 9:

  • Student presentations
  • Skills practice

Week 10:

  • Review and endings

Digital Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the 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 attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £375.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

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. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

 

Tutor

Miss Laura McDonald

Laura McDonald is a counsellor and psychotherapist. She works with schools and colleges to set up and run counselling services, delivers professional development and training, writes about counselling issues and practises in Oxford.

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

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 will have been given the opportinity to:

  • map of the field of counselling;
  • 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;
  • have a developmental framework of reference and knowledge of the developmental tasks of the first five stages of the Eriksonian model of human development;
  • whether or not they have personal experience of the therapeutic setting as a client or patient, they should 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.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

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.

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie 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.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support