Counselling Diploma NCFE Level 3

Student Profile
This programme is designed for people who
wish to develop an understanding of
principles and practice of Counselling in
relation to a range of counselling
situations. No prior knowledge is required.

Objectives
The objectives of the course are to:
· describe the role of a counsellor and what
counsellors do
· List common types of counselling
· Understand the skills and attributes
required to conduct counselling
· Practice and improve their listening skills
· Demonstrate an understanding of the
principles of negotiation
· Describe the key aspects of successful
mediation
· Understand the role of counselling in crisis
mediation
· List sources of help and advice in a range
of counselling situations
· Identify a model approach for a range of
counselling scenarios and client situations
· Develop an understanding of the ethics
and confidentiality required of counsellors

Assessment
This course is assessed through a series of tutor marked assignments. No attendance at an exams centre is required.

Accredittation
At the end of this course successful learners will receive a level 3 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The course is provided in conjunction with Kendal Publishing Limited – a licenced NCFE centre.

Study Method
The course is designed for study by distance
learning at work or at home. Students
receive course manual, assignments and
studyguide plus tutor support by mail and
email. You can start at any time and plan
your studies over a period of up to one year
from the time of registration.

Assessment
Each element of the course is followed by a
written assignment, which is submitted to
and marked by your tutor.
Upon successful completion of the
assignments you will be eligible
for certification from OCN. Please note that
students’ assessments are moderated three
times per year by OCN. Submission dates
and deadlines for moderation are fully
detailed in the student study pack.

Course Duration
Students may register at any time and have
a full year to complete their studies. The
course will take around 120 hours of study
to complete.

Pack/Course Contents
· Studyguide
· Comprehensive study notes for each
element of the course
· Self-assessment activities
· Assignments
· Tutor support
· Assignment marking & feedback
· Accreditation

Support
Students receive tutor support for a full one year from registration plus unlimited access to the student helpline during working hours.

Course Content
The course is divided up into 16 units, as follows:
STAGE A
Unit 1 The Basics of Counselling
· What is counselling
· Who is a Counsellor
· When is a Counsellor not ready to Council
· Who needs counselling
· Ten Steps to Counselling

Unit 2 Types of Counselling
· When a Counsellor is needed
· Types of counselling offered
 Addiction
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Divorce
 Eating Disorders
 PMS
 Sexual health
 Stress

Unit 3 New wave Counselling
· On-line Counselling
· Telephone Counselling
· Telephone / Internet counselling
· SMS text counselling
· Video counselling
· The Future

Unit 4 Traditional Counselling Styles
· What are the different Types of Traditional Counselling
· What Counselling
· Individual Therapy
· Couples Therapy
· Family therapy
· Group Therapy
· Who goes to Counselling

Unit 5 Listening Skills
· Listening
· Stages of listening
· Obstacles of Listening
· Emphatic Listening
· Listeners in Control
· Traps for Listeners

Unit 6: Negotiation
· Negotiation
· The Establishment Group
· The Community group
· Negotiation in General
· The Joint Problem-Solving Approach
· Definition of the Problem
· Guidelines
· Insist on Using Objective Criteria
· Invent Options for Mutual Gain
· Separate the People from the Problem
· Suggestions
· Breaking the Rules
· Alternatives
· Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement

Unit 7 Mediation
· What is Mediation
· When is Mediation called for
· Responsibilities
· Preliminaries
· The Introductory Phase
· Problem Definitions
· Respect the Parties’ Ability to reach a settlement
· Caucus Meetings
· The Second session
· Teamwork
· The Agreement
· Attributes of a Good Mediator

Unit 8 Crisis Mediation
· Other Considerations
· Power imbalance
· The Power of skill and Knowledge
· A Summary of Factors Influencing the Balance of Power
· Analysis and Responses

STAGE B
Unit 9- 16 Practical Counselling for Common Situations
Ethics and confidentiality
Problem centred approaches to counselling:
· Grief and Bereavement
· Couples & Relationships
· Stress Problems
· Depression
· Eating Disorders
· Alcohol Problems
· Children
· Substance Abuse
Choosing a style and method to match a situation
Identifying client needs and expectations
Establishing a contract
Exit strategies
Ongoing counselling and support
General Counselling Client Information Form
Publications
Addresses
Useful Contacts
Glossary of Health Terms