Overview of Course
You will learn:
The CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is a practical, experiential course designed to develop effective listening, communication, and helping skills.
The course introduces learners to the foundations of counselling skills practice, including active listening, empathy, self-awareness, boundaries, ethical practice, and reflective learning. Through tutor teaching, group discussion, experiential activities, and structured skills practice, learners will build confidence in supportive communication both personally and professionally.
Attachment, Development and Therapeutic Relationships
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Attachment theory and early childhood attachments
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Adolescent attachment and the developing brain
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Child and adolescent developmental stages
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Building and maintaining effective therapeutic relationships
Foundations of
CYP Counselling
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Safe, ethical and legal frameworks when working with children and young people
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Confidentiality, consent, safeguarding and professional boundaries
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Inclusive practice with diverse and neurodiverse CYP
Therapeutic Approaches & Interventions
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Counselling approaches tailored to children and young people
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The role of play, creativity and storytelling in therapeutic work
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Creative and play-based interventions for expression and regulation
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Working therapeutically with neurodiverse CYP
Trauma, MentalHealth & Risk
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Trauma and trauma-responsive approaches
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Vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and self-care
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Common mental health presentations, including:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Self-harm
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Suicidal ideation
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Supporting CYP through loss, change, transitions and endings
Professional Development
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Integrating theory, research and reflective practice
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Monitoring and maintaining professional competence
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Working collaboratively with schools, social workers and multi-disciplinary teams
Learning Expereince
Teaching is experiential, reflective and clinically grounded, combining:
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Live Tutor-led teaching via Zoom
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Group discussion and exercises
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Case reflection
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Creative and experiential learning
You’ll also complete a group research project, developing collaboration, communication and presentation skills that mirror real professional practice.
Placement & Group Supervision
As part of the course, you will complete:
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20 hours of counselling practice with children and/or young people
Alongside this, you’ll take part in group supervision, providing a supportive space to:
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Reflect on your client work
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Explore challenges and emerging themes
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Develop your professional identity as a CYP counsellor
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Map your learning against professional competency frameworks
Assessment & Coursework
Assessment is designed to be integrated and meaningful, supporting your development.
You will complete:
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A reflective journal
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Online knowledge checks following training days
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Group exercises and experiential learning reflections
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A written case study based on supervised placement work
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Active participation in group supervision
Together, these build a coherent picture of your competence, learning and readiness to practise.
Course Requirements
Who This Course Is For
This diploma is designed for:
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Qualified counsellors ready to specialise in CYP work
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Counsellors interested in trauma-informed, attachment-based practice with CYP
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Counsellors working (or planning to work) in schools, agencies, charities or private practice with CYP
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Those committed to reflective, ethical and inclusive counselling
Course Dates
Training takes place once a week starting from the first week of 2027 every Wednesday.
Sessions are live with Mer, but online, so you can access the training from the comfort of your home.
Wednesday 6th January
Wednesday 13th January
Wednesday 20th January
Wednesday 27th January
Wednesday 3rd February
Wednesday 10th February
Wednesday 17th February
Wednesday 24th February
Wednesday 3rd March
Wednesday 10th March
Wednesday 17th March
Wednesday 24th March
Wednesday 31st March
Wednesday 4th April
Session Times: 9am - 5pm including lunch and regular breaks.
Please ensure you have completed the application form before paying. Thank you.