Counselling
Counselling skills certificate vs counselling diploma
A counselling skills certificate teaches the listening and helping skills used in many jobs and is the first step in counselling training. A counselling diploma, at Level 4 or above, is the practitioner training that prepares you to work as a counsellor. BACP expects a supervised placement of at least 100 client hours.
Side by side
Diploma figures are BACP's requirements for core practitioner training. Skills certificate figures are for the Lift College course.
| Counselling skills certificate (Level 2 at Lift College) | Counselling diploma (core practitioner training) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Core skills, theory, ethics and self-awareness for helping roles; the first step on the route | Training to work as a counsellor |
| Level | Level 2 (TQUK, 601/7815/2) | Minimum Level 4, or equivalent |
| Length | 120 guided learning hours; 3 to 6 months part time at Lift College | At least two years of classroom tuition and at least 300 guided learning hours |
| Placement | None; skills practice recorded with a volunteer | Supervised placement of at least 100 client hours |
| Delivery | Can be studied fully online | At least 70% face to face in a classroom for BACP membership |
| Assessment | Portfolio of written work and recorded skills practice, no exams | Set by the course provider and awarding body |
| Lets you practise as a counsellor | No | It is the training that leads to practice and registration |
What a counselling skills certificate is for
A skills certificate teaches you to listen properly, reflect, paraphrase, summarise, ask open questions, use silence and hold boundaries, alongside an introduction to the main counselling theories, ethics and diversity. BACP describes this stage as useful if your work involves advising or helping people, even if you do not plan to become a therapist.
At Lift College it is the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills: four mandatory units, studied online with a named UK tutor. Start the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills with a 7-day free trial. For each skill in detail, see what are counselling skills?
What a counselling diploma is for
The diploma is where you start seeing clients under supervision. BACP says core practitioner training should be at least a Level 4 diploma in counselling or psychotherapy, and that courses delivered solely online or by distance learning do not qualify for membership. After it, you can join a professional body's register; BACP says graduates of non-accredited courses take its Certificate of Proficiency first.
Do you need both?
If you want to practise, usually yes. TQUK names the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills as the progression route from Level 2, and most Level 4 diplomas ask for Level 3 or equivalent before you apply. If you want the skills for a job you already do, a skills certificate may be all you need. Counselling qualifications explained sets out what each level from Level 2 to degree lets you do, and the Choose your pathway tab on this hub shows the order.