Introduction to Counselling Skills

Course summary

This course focuses on an understanding of counselling and developing practical skills. The importance of counselling for the wellbeing of individuals and society is being increasingly recognised. You will be introduced to the nature of counselling and learn and practice active listening skills such as reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising, and giving feedback.

The course is aimed at anyone who may be considering either a career in counselling, or wanting to develop valuable helping and listening skills, as well as anyone interested in developing self-awareness.

Course Leader

Sanjay Joban has had a long-standing interest in psychology, counselling and self-development. He is the Course Leader for the BSc Psychology and Counselling programme at the University of Westminster, where he has worked since 1992. He is also a Chartered Psychologist and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). In addition to his work at the University, Sanjay also has a private therapeutic practice. Sanjay's interest in self-development includes mindfulness which he practices in his personal life, his teaching, and in his therapeutic practice. See a post by Sanjay about the nature and value of counselling on the CHERISH website.

Tutor

Neelam Zahid is an Integrative Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She completed her MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Regents College, London and has worked as a therapist since 2003. Neelam is also the Deputy Course Leader for the Foundation year at the Minster Centre. She previously worked within higher education for over a decade and currently has her own private practice, also spending time delivering workshops and training for psychotherapists and trainees in this area. Neelam's areas of interest include intersectionality, difference and diversity.

Course structure

Through a series of talks and practical activities, the course will present an overview of the nature and usefulness of counselling and the key skills that underpin this activity. You will learn about:

• the nature of counselling
• practice of listening skills including: reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising, and giving feedback
• reflective practice activities such as self-awareness, the importance of boundaries, working with diversity and difference, and ethics

By the end of this course, you will have:

• developed an overview of counselling and helping
• practiced a variety of listening skills
• engaged in reflective activities covering self-awareness, boundaries, working with people from diverse backgrounds, and ethics.

Accreditation

As the Introduction to Counselling Skills course is run in conjunction with the Psychology Department here at the University of Westminster, we are pleased to confirm that the course has received approval by the British Psychological Society for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

When you study with us, you can be certain you'll receive high quality education and training.