Certificate in
Child & Adolescent Counselling Skills

(Cert. C. A. Couns.)

Distance Learning Course Details

New updated version of this course enrolling from May 2013

   College accreditation: International Association for Distance Learning.
   Course accredited by Institute for Meridian Psychotherapy.
   Possibility of registration with certain other UK professional bodies.

Total recommended period of study: approx. 2 to 4 months. Continuous enrolment. No time limit.

Cost: £275.00  (275 Pounds Sterling - for currency conversion see www.xe.com ) Course fee revised from May 2013 for new version of course.

(A FREE set of 2 textbooks will be included for students from the UK.   Students outside the UK will need to buy their own textbooks. See links on this page to buy on-line.) 

Method of study: 

Textbook study. Written assignments based on textbook study and exercises. Assignment questions are issued by email and students return their written work by email. Grades and feedback are issued by email.

Course description and syllabus

This course gives very clear and step-by-step practical guidance with many worked examples, backed by relevant theory so you understand what you are doing and why.

The child counselling skills module takes a practical all-round approach to child counselling, including the use of play therapy techniques. The basic counselling framework is explained in terms of goals, the relationship between counsellor and child, and the qualities needed by a children’s counsellor. The history of work with children is reviewed and a theoretical chapter explains the processes of change. Essential child counselling skills are introduced in a step-by-step way with examples. The psychodynamics of child counselling is outlined. A range of instructions and techniques for play therapy is given using different media and activities. The use of worksheets is introduced and a range of sample worksheets is given. This module has been updated in accordance with the fourth (2013) edition of the textbook.

The adolescent counselling module takes a practical all-round approach to adolescent counselling incorporating knowledge of adolescent peer communication.  The unit begins with an understanding of the nature of adolescence and the changes and problems that occur during that period, identifying particular hazards of the adolescent period. A proactive counselling model is then given, outlining the particular communication skills and counselling skills needed. A range of counselling strategies (symbolic, creative, behavioural/ cognitive-behavioural and psycho-educational) is explored and case studies are given showing adolescent counselling in practice. A discussion of professional ethics is also provided.

Entry criteria and suitability 

This course is for parents, qualified counsellors and helpers, teachers, and anybody who looks after or works with children or adolescents.  It is an introductory or supplementary course and is not accredited by a government-recognised agency: therefore this course by itself is insufficient to qualify you to work with children or to meet any legal requirements for such work. However this course can act as a complement to other courses or refresher (especially if you have trained in the past and want to know the latest counselling thinking), and it might also increase your chances of finding a place on an approved child care or other course qualifying you to work with children. 

Qualified and practising counsellors, psychotherapists and hypnotherapists who already work with youth but have no specific certificate in that area will find this course a welcome addition to their professional portfolio, providing a key area of professional development. Professional societies that operate an unrestricted CEU policy may consider this qualification for CEU purposes.  

Qualification

Successful graduates will receive the Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling Skills awarded by UK College of Holistic Training which is a private UK qualification. The college is accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning. Course graduates may use the postnominal initials Cert. C. A. Couns.

The course is accredited by The Institute for Meridian Psychotherapy (which is linked to UKCHT) and graduates may apply for membership.

Students and graduates of the course will be eligible to apply to register with "Counselling", a registered charity - see www.counselling.ltd.uk, and on successful registration the graduate will be entitled to the style "CCC Registered Counsellor." (Applies to UK only. "Counselling" does not accredit or approve the UKCHT course.)

If you have other relevant qualifications in counselling you may also be recommended to apply for the appropriate grade of membership of the National Counselling Society (UK).  The National Counselling Society http://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/  will consider a wide variety of qualifications towards entry levels of membership and will advise on further study towards becoming an Accredited Counsellor.

Prospective students are responsible for checking whether they need any form of accreditation or licensing to practise as a counsellor or psychotherapist in their own country. UK College of Holistic Training is unable to give advice on local regulations in your country.

This diploma is accepted by Calamus International University (a non-UK, private distance university with private accreditation) for credit towards a degree.

Further information

Please see our FAQs page for general information about practising counselling and psychotherapy in the UK and elsewhere.

We reserve the right to change the syllabus and other details of any course at any time. If any key textbook becomes unobtainable we will provide a substitute module based on another book.

Please note that this course is not accredited or approved by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.  It does not lead to UKCP or BACP accreditation and is not accredited by any body that is recognised by the UK government. In the UK, counselling and psychotherapy are not government-controlled and there are many independent routes to private qualifications & professional society memberships.

To apply for this course now, go to our Application page