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Health and Social Care DIPLOMA 7h10m

Diploma in Counselling and Psychology

5.0
219 Students
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Course Overview

Everything you need to know before you enroll.

Duration

7h10m

Access

Lifetime Access

Level

DIPLOMA

Last Updated

June 5, 2026

Description

Right now, 1.7 million people in the UK are on the mental health waiting list, says the BMA. In fact, that's nearly the size of Birmingham. On top of that, 1 in 5 UK adults lives with a mental health issue. So the country needs more trained listeners. That's where our diploma in counselling helps. 

By the end, you'll know how Adlerian therapy differs from existential therapy. You'll also see why person-centred work changed UK counselling. Then you'll learn how CBT, Gestalt and family therapy work. As a result, you'll have a solid base for in-person training later.

What You'll Learn from a Diploma in Counselling

These bullets follow the modules inside the course:

  1. Open up the integrative approach used by UK therapists
  2. Build a strong therapeutic relationship with any client
  3. Turn client struggles and strengths into useful insights
  4. Bring positive psychology into everyday counselling work
  5. Work through the basics of psychoanalytic therapy
  6. Use Adlerian theory to understand family roles
  7. Move into existential therapy and life meaning
  8. Apply person-centred and Gestalt techniques
  9. Compare behaviour therapy with cognitive-behaviour therapy
  10. Read into reality, feminist and family therapy methods

Why Employers Value This Qualification

Our online counselling course shows employers that you:

  1. Know the main therapy schools used in UK clinics
  2. Listen with patience and zero judgement
  3. Stick to ethical and client-safe ways of working
  4. Take your mental health learning seriously

Also, you'll use these skills across UK charities and schools. Then they fit NHS Talking Therapies roles too. On top of that, the certificate gives you a head start. As a result, you save thousands before a Level 4 diploma.

Recommended Renewal

UK counselling rules shift often. For example, NICE updates its guidance. After that, BACP changes its ethical rules. Then NHS Talking Therapies adds new research. That's why we suggest refreshing your certificate in psychology and counselling every 3 years. As a result, you stay sharp and ready.

Entry Requirements

  1. Must be 16 or over
  2. Can read and understand English
  3. Can use a computer for online lessons
  4. No prior counselling experience needed

Who Should Take This Course

Our diploma in counselling is great for:

  1. People exploring counselling as a UK career
  2. Care workers and teachers in pastoral roles
  3. Volunteers at Samaritans, Mind, or Cruse

Is This Course Right for You?

Our qualification in counselling psychology is for you if you:

  1. Want to help people through real life struggles
  2. Need flexible training you can fit around work
  3. Looking at a long-term UK mental health career
  4. Have always wanted to study how therapy works
  5. Want a recognised certificate for your CV
  6. Hope to apply for a Level 4 diploma later

Assessment

Each module has a short quiz. Then, you need 60% to pass. You can try the quizzes as many times as you need.

Career Paths

Completing our diploma in counselling can lead to roles like:

  1. Mental Health Support Worker
  2. Volunteer Listener at a UK charity
  3. Pastoral Support Officer in a school
  4. Wellbeing Coordinator in a workplace
  5. Pathway into Level 4 BACP-accredited training

Listen Quietly and Become the Professional That the UK Needs!

Our diploma in counselling gives you that base. After all, the theory comes from the same methods UK counsellors use. Once you've finished, you get a CPD-backed certificate. Enrol Now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you be a counsellor with a diploma?

  1. Yes, with a BACP Level 4 diploma. Mind you, our course is the foundation before that step.

2. Can you become a counsellor without a degree?

  1. Yes. In fact, most UK counsellors hold a Level 4 diploma. Then they join BACP after.

3. What qualifications do I need to do a counselling degree?

  1. UK universities want A-levels or a Level 3 equivalent. Still, life experience also counts for mature students.

4. How long does it take to get a Level 4 diploma in counselling?

  1. A full BACP Level 4 takes 1 to 2 years in person. You also need 100 supervised client hours.

5. What is a counsellor's salary in the UK?

  1. UK counsellors earn £25,000 to £45,000 a year. In fact, NHS roles pay £35,000 to £42,000.

6. What is the quickest counselling degree to get?

  1. A Level 4 diploma is the fastest accredited route. Mind you, online intro courses give you a head start.

Course Curriculum

Module 01: Introduction: Toward an Integrative Approach in Counselling

Click to expand

25 min

Module 02: Therapeutic Relationship: Exploring Clients’ Symptoms and Strengths

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25 min

Module 03: Powered by Struggles and Strengths

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25 min

Module 04: Positive Psychology in Counselling: What is It?

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30 min

Module 05: Psychoanalytic Therapy

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30 min

Module 06: Adlerian Therapy

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45 min

Module 07: Existential Therapy

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25 min

Module 08: Person‐Centred Therapy

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30 min

Module 09: Gestalt Therapy

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35 min

Module 10: Behaviour Therapy

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30 min

Module 11: Cognitive‐Behaviour Therapy

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35 min

Module 12: Reality Therapy

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35 min

Module 13: Feminist Therapy

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30 min

Module 14: Family Therapy

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30 min

$8.99 $29.00

One-time payment

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Certificate of Completion

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Course Certificate

Receive an official certificate upon completion

Includes your name and course title

Downloadable digital copy (PDF)

Shareable on LinkedIn and other platforms

How to earn your certificate:

  1. Complete all learning modules
  2. Pass quizzes with at least 60%
  3. Finish the final assessment
  4. Unlock and download your certificate
Certificate Sample

Student Reviews

Ellie Jones

Ellie Jones

★★★★★

I was after a Teaching Assistant course I could do from home. On CourseCave, I ticked online and part‑time and it showed me a few good options straight away.

1 year ago

Ruby Clarke

Ruby Clarke

★★★★★

I didn’t know whether to do Level 2 or Level 3 admin. The Course Cave blog explained each level in plain English, so I could choose without guessing

1 year ago

Olivia Green

Olivia Green

★★★★☆

I liked the Course Cave showed what each course covers, lesson by lesson. I picked a digital marketing course because I could see all the topics before paying

11 months ago

Josh Atkinson

Josh Atkinson

★★★★☆

The new Course Cave site is much clearer than before. Took me about a minute to go from search to picking a course.

1 year ago

Sophie Patel

Sophie Patel

★★★★★

Brilliant course, honestly. I learnt more in a week than I did in a whole term of self-study after office hours

1 year ago

George Ahmed

George Ahmed

★★★★☆

Really clear, really calm, no nonsense. Perfect if you don’t want anything too fancy, just good teaching.

1 year ago

Amelia Clarke

Amelia Clarke

★★★★★

Fully helpful, I finally understand the basics without feeling confused. Could’ve used a few more real-life examples, but still very good.

1 year ago

Sophie Reed

Sophie Reed

★★★★☆

Their learner support was great and friendly. actually helped me a lot to sort things out when I needed it.

1 year ago

Holly Webster

Holly Webster

★★★★★

Their course topics are so work-friendly. I’d happily take another course here.

9 months ago

Ben Carter

Ben Carter

★★★★★

Spot on. Told me exactly what I needed in plain English.

1 year ago

Jack Turner

Jack Turner

★★★★★

This course explained everything in simple terms, no waffle. Ideal if you’re just starting.

1 year ago

Chloe Marsh

Chloe Marsh

★★★★★

Really smooth to get through. Feels practical, not textbook stuff.

1 year ago

Ellie Jones

Ellie Jones

★★★★★

I was after a Teaching Assistant course I could do from home. On CourseCave, I ticked online and part‑time and it showed me a few good options straight away.

1 year ago

Ruby Clarke

Ruby Clarke

★★★★★

I didn’t know whether to do Level 2 or Level 3 admin. The Course Cave blog explained each level in plain English, so I could choose without guessing

1 year ago

Olivia Green

Olivia Green

★★★★☆

I liked the Course Cave showed what each course covers, lesson by lesson. I picked a digital marketing course because I could see all the topics before paying

11 months ago

Josh Atkinson

Josh Atkinson

★★★★☆

The new Course Cave site is much clearer than before. Took me about a minute to go from search to picking a course.

1 year ago

Sophie Patel

Sophie Patel

★★★★★

Brilliant course, honestly. I learnt more in a week than I did in a whole term of self-study after office hours

1 year ago

George Ahmed

George Ahmed

★★★★☆

Really clear, really calm, no nonsense. Perfect if you don’t want anything too fancy, just good teaching.

1 year ago

Amelia Clarke

Amelia Clarke

★★★★★

Fully helpful, I finally understand the basics without feeling confused. Could’ve used a few more real-life examples, but still very good.

1 year ago

Sophie Reed

Sophie Reed

★★★★☆

Their learner support was great and friendly. actually helped me a lot to sort things out when I needed it.

1 year ago

Holly Webster

Holly Webster

★★★★★

Their course topics are so work-friendly. I’d happily take another course here.

9 months ago

Ben Carter

Ben Carter

★★★★★

Spot on. Told me exactly what I needed in plain English.

1 year ago

Jack Turner

Jack Turner

★★★★★

This course explained everything in simple terms, no waffle. Ideal if you’re just starting.

1 year ago

Chloe Marsh

Chloe Marsh

★★★★★

Really smooth to get through. Feels practical, not textbook stuff.

1 year ago

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