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An Introduction to Counselling Skills

Discover key counselling skills for professional and personal growth on this introductory course.

1,030 enrolled on this course

 therapist attentively listens to her client who is sharing personal experiences.

An Introduction to Counselling Skills

1,030 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 5 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    5 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Explore counselling basics and add essential skills to your toolkit

Dive into the University of Lincoln’s Introduction to Counselling course and open the door to mastering skills that enrich your personal and professional life.

Step confidently into the world of counselling, where every conversation can lead to profound growth and understanding.

Understand the core principles of counselling

Embark on a journey to grasp the foundational elements of counselling. Start by demystifying what counselling is and highlight the differences between counselling and other forms of personal and professional interactions.

You’ll then learn about the theoretical frameworks that shape effective counselling practices, preparing you for more in-depth exploration and career advancement in this compassionate field.

Master active listening for effective communication

Moving beyond mere hearing, active listening involves fully engaging with and understanding the speaker without judgment. This crucial skill improves every interaction you have, from professional meetings to intimate conversations.

You’ll learn techniques to sharpen these listening skills, ensuring you’re not just hearing words but truly comprehending and meaningfully responding to them.

Develop empathy in professional and personal relationships

Empathy is at the heart of all counselling work, enabling you to connect with others on a deeply human level. Honing this skill will transform your relationships and enrich your emotional intelligence.

Explore the relationship between counselling skills and theory

Finish this course by understanding how practical counselling skills apply within the theoretical frameworks that support them. By linking theory with practice, you gain a comprehensive insight into how to use counselling techniques effectively across various scenarios.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds Being heard and understood can be a profound and transformative experience. When you offer your presence and open yourself to understanding another person’s perspective, you are showing that they matter. This connection has the power to strengthen relationships and enhance well-being. Hi, I’m Doctor Theresa Garrard, I’m a Gestalt psychotherapist and a full-time counselling lecturer at the University of Lincoln where I lecture on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. I’m Helen Kemp, a humanistic and integrative psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in private practice. I also lecture part time at the University of Lincoln on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Counselling skills are a broad set of practise techniques that help individuals to listen, respond and show understanding to others.

Skip to 0 minutes and 56 seconds Whilst these skills are termed counselling skills, they are not exclusive to the counselling discipline and can be applied to many professional relationships. Grounded in counselling theory, this course will introduce learners to interpersonal listening and responding skills that can be helpful in many professional settings. The course will also invite learners to consider how these skills can be operationalised within a specific role or relationship. More specifically, the course will provide a basic introduction to active listening skills (both verbal and nonverbal), rapport building and evaluating effectiveness through the process of self reflection. These key concepts will help you to develop and advance your skills with the aim of improving interpersonal interactions.

Skip to 1 minute and 48 seconds You do not need to have any prior knowledge of counselling nor communication skills to enrol on this course. We just encourage your openness and curiosity. If you’re looking to progress your listening and responding skills, to support your professional or personal development, or perhaps you’re interested in the counselling profession and want to know a little more, then this course is for you. When you know how to listen, others will feel validated, supported and more confident, and relationships will strengthen and become more authentic. So, now’s a great time to understand more about enhancing your counselling skills to foster deeper and more rewarding connections.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Counselling Skills: the basics

    • Overview

      Welcome & Course Overview

      This activity provides you an overview of the course as well as wider information about the content learned in week 1.

    • Counsellor talking to a client

      Definitions, skills and techniques

      This activity introduces you to the fundamentals of counselling and counselling skills, looking closely at non-verbal communication skills, active listening and reflective practice.

    • Summary

      Summary

      This activity gives you a summary of your learning for the week.

  • Week 2

    Counselling Skills: an environment for growth potential

    • Overview

      Week 2 Overview

      In this activity you will gain an overview of the learning content for Week 2.

    • Holding hands

      Developing a safe space

      This activity focuses on ways to develop a safe space within your counselling practice for both speakers and listeners.

    • Summary

      Summary

      This activity provides you with a summary of learning for week 2.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain the difference between counselling and counselling skills.
  • Describe the verbal and non-verbal skills which facilitate active listening.
  • Identify how to apply these skills to personal and/or professional relationships.
  • Justify the value of boundaries and self-care.
  • Explain the importance of reflective practice.

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for individuals keen on counselling, professionals aiming to enhance communication skills, educators, and anyone interested in developing empathetic, effective interpersonal interactions for personal and career advancement.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

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University of Lincoln

The University of Lincoln is proud to be ranked as a Top 3 University in the WhatUni University of the Year 2024 awards, as well as a triple-gold institution in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.

  • Established

    1996
  • Location

    Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 26 Feb 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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