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.

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.

Programme details

Course starts: 21 Apr 2026

Week 1: Welcome and Introductions. Presentation and discussion on origins of Counselling.

Week 2: Counselling skills - part 1    

Week 3: Counselling skills - part 2                              

Week 4: Psychodynamic approach            

Week 5: Behavioural approach                                      

Week 6: Humanistic approach                           

Week 7: The therapeutic relationship                                  

Week 8: Life stages     

Week 9: What next? Transferable Skills    

Week 10: Review and Endings

Digital Certification

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points

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. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points

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.

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.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
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. Please see the below link for full details:

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.
  • 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 should have some map of the field of Counselling.
  • They should 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.
  • They should 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 for Continuing Education.

Assessment methods

The summative assessment will be a written assignment of 1500 words, or a 10 minute presentation to the class backed up by notes. Students will also have the opportunity to submit a formative assignment of 500 words during the course.

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.

 

Application

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Students who do not register for assessment and credit 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 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, 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.

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support