Course Overview

Learn different types of helping strategies and the importance of being a good listener. Recognise the importance of a customer-centred approach to helping others, whilst broadening your understanding of the theories that underpin practice.  Consider how prejudice and stereotyping can act as a barrier to open communication and hinder progress.  As your awareness develops, begin to examine your own thoughts, feelings and prejudices and how they may affect your role.  Learn the importance of empowering individuals so they can act on new understanding. 

Pre-requisites

No previous experience is required to access this course.

Qualification

ICS Basic Counselling Skills Diploma

Support and benefits

• Access to a dedicated tutor and student advisors to guide you through your studies
• Complimentary counselling skills tapes and textbook:  ‘First Steps in Counselling’
• Opportunity for reflective learning to maximise your skills
  

Key topics

• Introduction to Counselling Skills

Explore different types of helping strategies. Consider how you might use counselling skills in a personal or professional capacity. Reflect on your own learning style.

• Understanding Counselling Theory

Explore the three main schools of though in counselling and psychotherapy. Examine a range of theoretical approaches to counselling.

• Developing Personal Qualities

Consider the personal qualities that are necessary for counselling and explore ways of developing these qualities. Examine how prejudice and stereotyping can act as a barrier to open communication. Learn how to convey genuineness and empathy.

• Skills for Exploring

Examine the difference between active listening and passive listening and learn how to be an active listener. Discover how to communicate understanding by reflecting content and feelings. Consider the importance of silence and summarising. Study different types of questions and consider their uses.

• Moving towards Understanding

Learn how to help someone prioritise problems and concerns they may have. Consider occasions where it may be appropriate to challenge someone on what they are telling you. Discover ways of encouraging a person to consider new perspectives. Explore the importance of setting goals in the management of problems.

• Counselling Skills and Change

Explore the different levels of change that may come about as a result of the helping process. Gain an understanding of the importance of encouraging the individual to take control. Consider good practice for ending helping sessions or helping relationships.

Course Code

N37

Hours of study

9 months / 80 hours

Technical requirements and fees

None

Outline

You’ll complete six assessments during your course. These assessments can be submitted to ICS online via the Student Community, or they can be posted to ICS. It is recommended that you submit your assessments online as you will receive your results more quickly this way.

Assessment Breakdown

• Assessment 1: 10 multiple choice questions and 4 short answer questions
• Assessment 2: 10 multiple choice questions and 1 scenario-based short answer question
• Assessment 3: 10 multiple choice questions and 2 scenario-based short answer question
• Assessment 4: 10 multiple choice questions and 1 scenario-based short answer question
• Assessment 5: 10 multiple choice questions and 1 activity requiring you to self-assess your counselling skills
• Assessment 6: 10 multiple choice questions and 1 practical activity requiring you to tape record a counselling session, produce a transcript of this session, and assess your counselling skills

Notes

Each multiple choice question comes with four potential answers. Only one of these answers is correct; the other three are wrong. You must identify the correct answer.

Scenario-based questions test that you can apply the knowledge you have learnt from the course to imaginary scenarios.

Short answer questions normally require you to write between a sentence and a paragraph.