Compass Counselling - Counselling on Merseyside Pastoral and Supporting Service

Intermediate ( PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO INTAKE ON THE DIPLOMA COURSE in september 2010)

Intermediate Certificate in Introduction to Counselling Concepts - AQA validated

This assessed course provides an introduction to some of the knowledge, attitudes and skills related to counselling and incorporates a First Look at Loss and Grief. The course will not make you into a counsellor, but will enable you to begin to develop a basic ability to listen and respond sensitively and effectively to the emotional needs of others. Growth in personal self-awareness is essential to this process, and all courses aim to facilitate this.

The course will introduce you to counselling processes and explore what is and is not counselling; where its use is appropriate and the basic ethics and responsibilities involved. The course aims to help you begin to apply your learning to the situations you are in.

Who are the courses for?

You do not need to be a professional to find our course useful. Anyone who is 18+ and needs to use some basic counselling skills but without having the specified role of counsellor, will benefit. The course will be especially useful to those working in such settings as: pastoral care, education, youth work, social work, police, probation, etc. It is also a valuable preparation if you wish to go on to further training in order to gain a qualification in counselling.

Please note: To carry on to COMPASS Diploma in Counselling (BACP Accredited – British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) you need to have completed this course, or equivalent.

How long is the course?

To maintain the high quality of our course, we deliver 36 hours training. Evening courses cover 12 x 3 hour weekly sessions, and we also offer 6 full days, one day a week for 6 weeks.

Course methods

The course is designed to provide learning through the experience of the course itself and does not include any supervised counselling practice with clients. There is however an assessment at the end of the course and a personal journal to complete as the course progresses. Our training methods are largely participative but will also include tutor input on basic concepts. Our tutors will encourage you to relate course ideas to your own life and work experiences.

COMPASS recommends that if you are currently being counselled, please wait until this is completed before applying for any of our courses. As the course looks at issues of bereavement, if you are recently bereaved it is not recommended you do the course now. If you have a partner or relative who also wishes to join, we recommend that you enrol on separate courses.

Compass tutors

All tutors are fully qualified and experienced counsellors.

Course fees

Cost of course: £170

It is possible to pay fees by installment. Please contact Pam Sharp to discuss - 0151 708 6688 between 9am - 1pm

Please note: Fees are not refundable, nor can they be transferred once a course has begun.

How to apply

Please send your completed forms with your cheque made payable to COMPASS to:

Early application with your fee is essential to secure a place. Since it may not be possible to give you your first choice of course, please indicate another suitable choice if possible.

In certain cases the Sheila Kay Fund may be able to help with fees, for details, please contact 0151 707 4304.