Level 2 Introduction to Counselling
The Beginning of Your Journey
Level 2 Introduction
The foundations of listening, empathy, and ethical practice
Delivery Format
In person
Duration
Taken over 5 Evenings – Full College Days
Entry Requirements
A genuine interest in helping others & counselling
Our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling
As a college we are an Organisational Member of the BACP and ISPC, encouraging ethics and standards.
How long is the course?
The Level 2 Introduction to Counselling is a short bite sized course that gives an overview of the learning and personal development that goes into counselling, taught over 5 evenings 6 – 9 pm (15 hours).
What is involved on the course?
Looking at the list below, it might seem like a lot to cover—and well, it is. We’ve intentionally packed this Level 2 Introduction to Counselling course with as much insight, skill-building, and real-world perspective as possible, so you can make a truly informed decision about whether to pursue counselling as a profession.
Every topic has been chosen to help you explore not just what counselling is, but how it works in practice—and what it might mean for you. The content is grouped into clear themes to guide your learning journey, one step at a time.
Understanding Counselling & Ethics
This section explores the truth about counselling, which code of ethics to follow, the importance of confidentiality, the vital role of supervision, and the significance of creating a suitable counselling environment.
- The truth about counselling
- Which code of ethics
- The importance of confidentiality
Approaches, Theories & Models
You’ll examine the approaches to counselling and the theories behind counselling, as well as consider which counselling model is best for different situations and contexts.
- The approaches to counselling and the theories behind counselling
- Which counselling model is best?
- The person centred use of the three stage model of empathy, congruency ‘being real’ and unconditional positive regard
The Counsellor’s Self & Qualities
We look at the awareness of self and one’s own level of competence, the qualities that a counsellor needs, and the importance of recognising what our strengths and resources are.
- The awareness of self and ones own level of competence
- The qualities that a counsellor needs
- What are our strengths and resources?
Core Listening & Communication Skills
This part covers what is the difference between listening and active listening, how to ‘really’ use listening skills as a counsellor, the skills of attendance, the skills used in paraphrasing and summarising, the correct use of immediacy, and the skills of challenge and setting goals.
- What is the difference between listening and active listening?
- How to ‘really’ use listening skills as a counsellor
- The skills of attendance
Advanced Communication Techniques
This section builds on foundational listening with deeper therapeutic interventions.
- The skills used in paraphrasing and summarising
- The correct use of immediacy
- The skills of challenge and setting goals
Working with the Client
We explore the professional relationship and how to build it, the world of the client from their own perspective and their readiness to move on, the language of counselling—what is it?, the life of the client, and the importance of opening and endings a session.
- The professional relationship and how to build it
- The world of the client from their own perspective and their readiness to move on
- The language of counselling. What is it?
Session Practice & Client Journey
This final practice-oriented section focuses on the full arc of client engagement.
- The life of the client
- The importance of opening and endings a session
- The importance of supervision
What do I do after I complete the Level 2 Counselling Course?
Completing the Level 2 Introduction to Counselling should give you a good idea about your next steps. (You could continue your training and begin your Level 3 Counselling Skills and Theory Course…?)
If you are interested in moving forwards with training as a counsellor or therapist please speak with us at the college. We are more than willing to help you make the choice that is right for you.
“
This Level 2 course gave me a really clear idea of what counselling actually involves. I wasn’t sure if it was right for me, but the sessions on active listening, ethics, and the person-centred approach helped me see both the challenges and rewards. It’s thorough but not overwhelming—exactly what I needed before deciding whether to train further.
Benjamin L
Student Counsellor
”
Join our Courses Today
If you would like to begin your counselling training and would like to know more, please get in touch and we will answer any questions you may have.
Level 3
Counselling Skills & Theory
Level 4
Counselling Diploma
Level 5
Advanced Counselling
Diploma
Supervising Counsellors
Enrol at Ridgeway College...journey through complete counsellor training
please feel free to look through the site and fill in the application form.
PROGRESSION
If you wish to become a member of the ISPC, BACP or NCPS please take some time to look at their website for the recommended training route.
Our aim is to make the counselling training journey as close to the ISPC, BACP and NCPS membership requirements as possible, and we have outlined below the four simple steps for your understanding.
Step One:
Introduction to counselling course – Level 2
This is for the student to gain some valuable education about what is required of them to become a counsellor, and includes ethical and professional qualities, values and self-awareness. Our Level one course provides the student with 15 hours of classroom-based training.
Step Two:
Certificate in Counselling Skills and Theory – Level 3
This part time course is an ideal place to start studying the subject of counselling if you have not studied counselling previously. It is ideal for people who work in the caring professions, management, personnel managers, and staff. Anyone who encounters people in their working or personal life will benefit from learning these skills. No prior qualifications are required to undertake this course.
For people starting out as a counsellor the certificate stands alone or can be used as the foundation course as you work towards the Ridgeway Level 4 Diploma in Counselling.
As part of this course, you will undertake training and experience in active listening skills, defining and explaining counselling, the counsellor’s personal self-awareness, the exploration, understanding, and action skills required in a variety of theoretical approaches, demonstration of counselling skills via practical group work & issues of confidentiality, referral, and supervision.
Step Three:
Core Practitioner Training – Level 4 Counselling Diploma
Core Practitioner Training gives the students an in-depth, reflective, ethical and practical competence which includes the use of supervision, reflective practice, self-awareness, relationship building, both in the classroom environment and with clients, knowledge-based learning including psychological theories and their application to personal and professional practice, child development and ethical issues, and research findings.
Our Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory course offers a two-year part-time 360 hours of classroom- based study. In order to enrol onto our Level 4 Diploma course, the student is required to have completed a Level 2 Introduction to Counselling, and Level 3 Counselling Skills and Theory, and bear in mind the required classroom training hours that BACP recommend. The 100 hours of supervised placement working with clients is an integral part of this course.
You will be required to pay for your own supervision – a minimum of 1 and a half hours per calendar month or one hour of supervision per 8 hours of client work. Having your own insurance is an added consideration, as is purchasing a ICO Certificate for GDPR purposes when working with clients.
At any point in your counselling training, you are encouraged to seek out your own personal therapy, which helps you to identify your personal qualities, strengths and resilience required to work within the profession.
Step 2 through to Step 3 gains the student 450 classroom-based hours of training, including core competencies, which is a minimum requirement to meet accreditation status, along with three years post qualification experience and 450 client hours.