CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills

For the online version, go to the bottom of the page

Take the first exciting steps towards becoming a qualified counsellor, whilst also learning skills which have the potential to enhance your personal and work relationships.

‘Level 2 Counselling skills is a very thorough course that gives the learner an understanding and knowledge of counselling skills and self-awareness’ (Charlotte)

You will be in safe hands, working with highly qualified and experienced lecturers who believe in putting you at the centre of the learning experience. We see our relationship with you as being key to successful teaching. We always strive for the best in our services to you, constantly evaluating our work.

‘Be prepared for the amazing journey you will go on. Hilary is an incredible tutor’ (Emma)

At Counselling World we aim to create a learning environment which promotes connections between participants, meaning that this course provides an opportunity to get to know others at a deep level. Often students stay connected for years after courses have finished.

At Counselling World we work to an inclusive Christian ethos, promoting trust and care between students.

‘I learned a lot about myself when we were given tasks to be creative, such as creating our timelines. This gave me valuable space and time to reflect and identify key moments in my life. All this contributed to my self-awareness.’ (Charlotte)

Alongside getting to know others better, this course enables you to understand yourself at a deeper level. Why do you do the things you do? How do your patterns of relating impact your relationships? With new knowledge comes choices. Making new choices has the possibility of changing your life for the better.

‘This course has changed my life in an outstanding positive way’ (Lisa)

‘This course is helpful in so many aspects of my life and I have really developed as a person.’ (Sarah)

‘The experience of this course has been life changing for me. It has given me the courage to be me. ‘I am brave, I am bruised, this is who I’m meant to be. This is me’ (Kayla)

Many consider that CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) is the gold standard as an awarding body for counselling qualifications up to and including diploma level. Unlike many other awarding bodies CPCAB is run by counsellors, for counsellors. It is the only Ofqual-approved awarding body to specialise in counselling and supervision. The standard of these qualifications is rigorous and because of this, they are highly recognised in the professional counselling world. Studying qualifications with this awarding body will eventually allow you to have membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

‘I have learned more on this course than any other I have attended over the years’ (Ian)

Course content:

We will study the 7 processes: 

• Working ethically, safely, and professionally as a counsellor  
• Working within a counselling relationship  
• Working with client diversity in counselling work  
• Working within a user-centred approach to counselling  
• Working with self-awareness in the counselling process  
• Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills  
• Working self-reflectively as a counsellor  

How you will be taught

At Counselling World we put you at the centre of the teaching experience.  We believe that we learn best through experiencing things for ourselves.  We work with the flipped classroom approach.  We like you to come prepared with the knowledge for the session, so that you can use the session to explore and try things out rather than it being about us imparting information. 

Our sessions are clearly structured, so you know the aims and objectives and the criteria of the lesson.  Revision is built into the sessions.  This way you can keep track of your learning. 

A typical lesson will be likely to include whole class and small group discussion.  When appropriate we will use videos and demonstrations. There will be opportunities for you to lead presentations which can cement your own knowledge and skills.  Research shows that we learn best by teaching. 

Skills work is central to each session. You will take part as a helper, a helpee and as observer as you have regular opportunities to put your learning into practice.

Research shows that we learn through experiencing.  It is common for us to use creative resources to help you gain a deeper knowledge of the criteria.  Sand trays, play dough, colouring pens, toys etc. are frequently used. We sometimes draw on dramatic exercises too. You will be encouraged to try exercises which could be used with your clients. We even use a therapy dog in some sessions, if agreed by the whole class! 

Oscar the therapy dog…

Counselling World makes good use of it’s own Virtual Learning Environment. Here you will be able to access videos, exercises and articles in advance of each session. In this way, you can optimise your learning according to your own unique, learning style. After a session has taken place, the PowerPoints are available on Moodle for you to refer to when writing your learning review.

You will be invited to join the Counselling World Facebook page, where students and counsellors share experiences and ideas.

Finally, and most importantly, we believe that our relationship with you is central to the learning process.  We feel privileged as you share your story and your insights through tutorials, discussions and written work.  Without that strong relationship in place we believe that learning is unlikely to take place. 

We work within our Christian ethos and we encourage trust and honesty within the group.  We aim to create a trusting atmosphere were your deepest needs and emotions can be explored. 

Working in Today’s World

At Counselling World we recognise that much counselling today takes place online. There are different skills involved in online working and we want to equip you for this. A proportion of the course is held online to give you experience of this way of working.

Assessment

This course involves ongoing assessment through regular learning reviews (700 words per week), an essay, a presentation, an analysis of a recorded session,and practical skills work.  You will be given homework each week so that you come prepared for the next session, enabling you to explore the content rather than receive it for the first time.

There is also a timed unseen assessment.

You can read more about the course on the CPCAB website

Entry requirements

You will be invited for an interview to see if this course is a good match for you. We would like you to have a GCSE or O’ Level pass in English or the equivalent. We will ask to see your certificate at the interview. Please talk to us if you don’t have a pass in English and we will discuss with you possible alternatives.

Progression to Level 3 is not automatic.

What you will need

• A computer or laptop 
• Word or equivalent
• A phone capable of recording audio and video 
• Internet access 
• Access to the course books

Additional time costs

• An estimated hour each week for reading preparation
• Time to write a 700-word learning review every week
• Time to write peer feedback each week
• Time to complete an essay, evaluation of a recorded session and a presentation

Progression

Level 2 Counselling skills is a valuable qualification in it’s own right. At an equivalent level to a GCSE, this accredited qualification demonstrates to employers that you have studied listening and communication skills, which are valuable in most jobs.

If you would like to take your studies further, you may choose to stay with Counselling World and work towards CPCAB Level 3 Counselling Studies. You can find more information here.

If you wish to become a fully qualified counsellor in an agency setting, you will then need to study for a Level 4 Diploma. You can find out more here.

The application process

You will need to submit an application form to 4counsellingworld@gmail.com, giving a couple of referees. Please email us to request the form.

If you get through the application stage, you will be invited for an online interview.

If you are offered a place, the place will only be secured once you pay the course deposit along with your CPCAB registration fee, which are non-returnable.

When will the course take place?

You have the choice of studying in person, near Canterbury or in real time online. The in-person course will take place on a Thursday morning between 9.30 am and 12.30.

Which option is best for me?

The benefits of the in-person course are that you may get to know your classmates at a deeper level. You will be able to make use of the creative resources provided in session by Counselling World and you will be able to follow this way of working right up to and including diploma level.

The benefits of the online course is that it can be convenient to cut out travelling time and work from the comfort of your own home. Also if you want to work with the expertise we offer at Counselling World, but do not live in Kent, this option makes this possible.

The online course is happens in real time on Zoom and is led by Hilary who is trained and experienced in this way of working. Breakout rooms will be used as part of the experience and you will be encouraged to work creatively online.

In-person course

Our next L2 courses will start at the beginning of September 2025. Please email us at 4counsellingworld@gmail.com for an application form.

You will be expected to attend every session apart from when you are ill. You could be in danger of not getting through the course if your attendance is poor.

Where the course will take place

We meet in Canterbury. The centre address is:

Thanington Resource Centre, Thanington Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3XE 

The centre is a mile from the city centre, a short distance away from Canterbury East railway station and opposite the No1 bus stop. We work in well-equipped rooms with access to a large outdoor area. There is free parking at the venue. The venue is fully accessible with Wi-Fi.

Please note that the in-person course will also have a proportion of sessions online, in order for you to experience this way of working, which is very much saught after today.

Real-time online course

This course will be held on Zoom over 30 weeks, following the Kent schools term times which can be found here.

The course will be held on a Thursday, starting in September 2025. Please apply for this course by emailing 4counsellingworld@gmail.com

Fees

The cost for the online course is £1,250. For the in person course it is £1,350 (fees apply to academic year 2025-26). Once you have started the course you are committing to pay for the whole academic year. Once you have paid a deposit, the fees can be paid monthly.

‘This is a transformative course wherever it leads you. Completely worth the investment of time, money and most importantly, yourself’ (Lissie)

We like to be transparent. As will be the case for any training provider, the course will not go ahead if we do not have enough applicants to cover the costs of running the course.

Additional financial costs

A minimum of three course books will be required

Still unsure if this is for you?

If you would like to find out more about counselling training before committing to a year’s course, you can take the free online taster course with CPCAB by clicking here.