The Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling at Cardiff and Vale College teaches a humanistic existential approach to counselling. Students explore assumptions about the nature and development of human beings, how psychological problems develop, and how the course’s rationale explains therapeutic change. Over two years, study includes seven learning outcomes: work ethically and safely as a counsellor; work within a counselling relationship; work with client diversity; work with a user centred agency approach; work with self-awareness in the counselling process; work within a framework of counselling theory and skills; and work self-reflectively as an agency counsellor.
Teaching uses classroom and day schools to explore philosophy and practice, with time given in college. Students study in college on a Tuesday evening from 5–9pm for 34 weeks, and attend 11-day schools per academic year on Fridays and Saturdays each half term. The course also includes Online and Phone Therapy and BACP OPT Competencies as part of the two-year program, with some lessons delivered online and additional expectations for private space, suitable technology, and technical ability for remote learning. Students complete 100 supervised client hours at an approved placement and undertake regular supervision.
Modules
- Unit 1 - Work ethically and safely as a counsellor
- Unit 2 - Work within a counselling relationship
- Unit 3 - Work with client diversity
- Unit 4 - Work with a user centred agency approach
- Unit 5 - Work with self-awareness in the counselling process
- Unit 6 - Work within a framework of counselling theory and skills
- Unit 7 - Work self-reflectively as an agency counsellor
