(ABC Awards) Person-Centred Approach

Certificate in Counselling Skills

(ABC Awards) Person-Centred Approach

PC302 Thursdays

17.30 – 21.30, Sept 2015 – June 2016

The certificate qualifies you to use counselling skills in a helping role, e.g. as a health professional, mentor, teacher, advice worker; however, some students do the Certificate for their own personal development. It does not qualify you as a counsellor, although it meets the course entry requirements of the level 4 Diploma in Practitioner Counselling at the City Lit and diploma courses elsewhere.

This course is validated through ABC Awards. It meets Level 3 standards in the Qualifications and Credit Framework.

Further enquiries:

Direct line: 020 7492 2530 Email:

Fees, including tuition & the residential weekend:

For more details on loans and paying for this course please contact City Lit’s Advice & Guidance Service: , 020 7492 2500. Advice is offered regarding help with childcare costs, as well as possible ways of financing your studies (loans, instalment plans, bursaries).

Who is this course for?

This course is for you, if you:

·  would like to develop counselling skills to enhance your interpersonal skills at work

and/or

·  would like a firm foundation from which to progress to professional counsellor training

Course structure and methodology

A typical day includes:

·  community time

·  counselling skills practice and/or

·  experiential exercises to enhance personal awareness and understanding

·  tutor input

·  personal development group time

In addition, you will have three tutorials while on the course.

As far as possible, teaching methods reflect the person-centred model. You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your learning by:

·  working on your own learning objectives within the overall structure and objectives of the course

·  reflecting on your own learning process in learning journals

·  working within the group to build and maintain a constructive learning environment.

Although much of the content of the course is determined by the criteria required for certification, there are opportunities for self-directed learning through the personal development group and through negotiation of some aspects of the course.

The emphasis of the course is on facilitated learning through participation and experience. Tutors also use some traditional teaching and learning methods such as lectures, discussion groups and written assignments. You will be expected to spend considerable time in independent study and reading.

If you have a learning difficulty or disability that makes any aspect of the course difficult, please discuss your support needs with us.

What commitment is required?

·  Weekly attendance: students are expected to aim for 100% attendance

·  Time outside the course for:

-  reflecting on and writing about your learning process in your learning journal each week (you will use extracts from this in a written assignment)

-  reading

-  making audio tapes of skills practice sessions

- * written assignments (theory, ethical practice, anti-discriminatory principles and practice, personal development self-assessment reports, a case study/skills analysis of an audio-taped session)

-  meeting with peer study/support group

·  Willingness to share personal experiences with others in the group

·  Willingness to work through any difficulties that may arise from experiences on a course such as this.

* If you have little formal, academic experience, or little experience of writing in English, or specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia), you may need to spend additional time working on your writing and study skills. Individual support is available for dyslexic students.

What can I expect to achieve?

By the end of the course you should be able to:

·  show increased awareness of self and self in relation to other

·  show increased congruence and an enhanced capacity for empathy and unconditional acceptance

·  use counselling skills competently within a facilitating climate characterised by Rogers’ ‘core conditions’

·  show a working understanding of the person-centred approach and an awareness of at least two other theoretical models.

·  show an understanding of the difference between working as a counsellor and using counselling skills

·  use the BACP Ethical Framework to ensure safe, ethical practice when using counselling skills

·  show an understanding of individual and societal discrimination and oppression, and demonstrate a commitment to anti-oppressive, non-discriminatory practice

·  recognise your own assumptions, prejudices, beliefs and values, and demonstrate respect for others’ different views and cultures

·  reflect on yourself, your experiences and your interactions and use your reflective ability to further your personal and professional development

How will I be assessed?

In the first instance, you will assess all your own work. Skills work will be assessed continuously by self, peers and tutors. An audio taped session and case study/skills analysis and other written assignments will be assessed by tutors and moderated by ABC Awards. Self and peer assessments play an important part in the tutors’ final recommendation for the Certificate; a level of self awareness suitable to this level of training will need to be demonstrated in order to receive the Certificate.

To gain the ABC level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, all its criteria, and a minimum 80% attendance, need to be met.

What entry requirements do I need?

·  Attendance of 80% on a level 1 introductory counselling skills course of a minimum of 30 hours (attendance certificate required), or its equivalent, e.g. counselling skills training received as part of professional training

·  Ability to learn from and contribute to group interaction.

·  Ability to express yourself verbally and in writing.

·  Ability to engage in personal interactions with others.

·  Ability to take responsibility for your own learning.

·  Ability to commit yourself to the course.

·  Ability to cope with emotional demands of counselling skills training.

Experiential learning in a counselling skills course group can be very powerful and emotionally demanding. If you have concerns about whether this is the right time to undertake this course or if you would like help finding a counsellor, please discuss this with us.

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Course tutors

Maya Gagni: MA Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dip. Counselling, PGD Dramatherapy, Certificate in Supervision, Certificate in Trauma Therapy. BACP Accredited and HPC member. Maya works as a counsellor and supervisor in private practice, counselling tutor and counselling coordinator. Experience includes counselling and supervision for charity within the drugs, rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Tracy Keating: MA Counselling & Psychotherapy; PG Dip Counselling & Psychotherapy; Certificate in Person Centred Supervision; BACP Accredited & Registered therapist. Part of the City Lit counselling tutor team since 2006, Tracy has worked as a counsellor & supervisor in a range of settings: education, primary care, the charity sector and private practice. Extensive experience as a trainer and group facilitator in education and the charity sector.