This comprehensive and rewarding course offers you a stimulating learning experience and an enjoyable introduction to the world of counselling and psychotherapy.





The three core modules follow a natural progression from personal development to theoretical approaches and skills practice while also giving students insight into counselling and psychotherapy as a profession. You can expect a mix of traditional classroom style and more hands-on experiential learning, with the opportunity to forge real and often lasting connections with your colleagues. Our classes typically include students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, offering opportunities for rich interpersonal sharing and learning. In keeping with the ethos of counselling and psychotherapy, each student’s story is respected, and their unique talents are encouraged throughout the course.







Who is this course for?

This course is for those who wish to learn more about the inner workings of counselling and psychotherapy and themselves as individuals. It will also appeal to those who intend to pursue a career in the field and become an IACP-accredited professional or who wish to incorporate counselling knowledge and skills into their current personal/ professional lives.







What are the benefits of doing this course?

The course aims to be both intellectually stimulating and useful. The skills and knowledge acquired may be effectively applied to any number of ‘real life’ situations and professions. These skills may include increased self-awareness and empathy, improved communication and listening abilities, and a range of counselling tools that can enhance interpersonal relationships. Students wishing to pursue a career in the field will also be provided with the essential foundational elements needed as part of enrolment for a further qualification, such as our BSc Honours Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.







What will you learn?

You can expect to learn more about yourself and your inner processes and how this may inform your everyday life. The lecturer fosters this by creating a safe, supportive learning environment that encourages and respects your unique journey. You will be introduced to some of the key forefathers and mothers of psychotherapy and will learn some of the essential ‘baseline’ skills of the counselling relationship. You will also have the chance to practice these in a live setting via small group work with your colleagues. Lecturers will be on hand to provide guidance and feedback. As the course comes to an end, time will be given for students to reflect on their individual experiences and consider the group’s achievements together.

The course is divided into two parts:



Part 1: Personal development and introduction to counselling skills

Part 2: Theories, skills and integration

ELIGIBILITY



Applicants should feel that they possess the maturity to reflect on their own development as a person. All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement.



LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS



All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 5.5 at certificate level, 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.



IT SKILLS: students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course



Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.

Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as the lives of others. People who become counsellors are genuinely interested in human behaviour and have a strong desire to help others improve their mental well-being. They are also skilled at interacting with people on a personal level while maintaining a professional relationship.



Upon completion of the certificate course, students will be invited to apply to our Middlesex University BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 6 FHEQ - comparable to Level 8 NFQ).



The PCI College BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy is fully accredited by the IACP in all PCI College venues. You can see more information here about professional accreditation.



Today more than ever there is a massive need for trained counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland. Indeed there is increased acknowledgement of the growing need for counsellors within the HSE, Community Primary Care Groups, schools and the private sector. Our BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy ensures that you have equipped yourself with the necessary qualification and training to be recognised and effective. Once you have completed your professional training, there are many routes open to you; you may wish to set up a private practice, join an agency or work for an organisation such as the HSE, a school, a charity or a state body.