HEART & MIND CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING FROM A CHRISTIAN INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE
The Heart & Mind Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory (Level 3) is a tailored made course, accredited by CPCAB. It offers an introduction to counselling, underpinned by a Christian worldview - providing a unique opportunity to study a professionally recognised course from an integrative Christian perspective.
This foundational counselling training is the first part of our CPCAB accredited psychotherapeutic training programme, offering students an introduction to a number of current treatment methods available, teaches the core counselling skills needed to support others sensitively and ethically, and provides an overview to some of the psychological issues commonly encountered when counselling (E.g. loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse and eating disorders).
KEY INFORMATION
Qualification level: Level 3
Duration: 15 training days / part-time
Hours: 100 guided learning hours (GLH)
Course day: 15 Saturdays (blend of online and face-to-face)
Time: 09.00 - 16.45
Location: Heart & Mind
Oasis Academy, South Bank
77 Westminster Bridge Rd
London SE1 7HA
Interviews: Applications will be considered upon submission with certificate course interviews scheduled in June, July and August. Early application is strongly recommended as courses tend to fill up well in advance of the start dates.
Next course: October 2026 - May 2027
COURSE LOCATION
London Waterloo (9-minute walk)
Lambeth North - Bakerloo Line (1minute walk)
“The certificate course exceeded my expectations on every level.
Not only am I being trained to be a professional counsellor, but I am enjoying fellowship with committed colleague students. I am enjoying the challenge of the academic input and encouraged to ‘rise’ to an extraordinary opportunity.”
“I came with so many questions to the Heart and Mind certificate course, not knowing where it would take me. Now reflecting on the last 6 months I am leaving feeling enriched, hopeful and affirmed on this journey that I am embarking on.”
COURSE FEES
Total course fees: £2350.00* (VAT included)
If accepted on the course, we will ask you to pay a deposit fee of £750.00 to reserve your place. The non-refundable deposit fee is part of the overall course fees and payable within 10 days of receiving the offer letter.
The remaining course fee of £1600.00 is due by 1st September
PAY IN INSTALMENTS
Heart & Mind doesn’t participate in government student loan schemes. However, to make your learning journey more accessible, we provide the option to pay your remaining course fee in 6x manageable instalments of £295.00 each:
1st instalment - 1st September
2nd instalment -1st October
3rd instalment - 1st November
4th instalment - 1st December
5th instalment - 1st January
6th instalment - 1st February
Choosing to pay in instalments will bring the total course cost to £2,520.00 (compared to £2,350.00 if paid in full by 1st September).
*The total course fees include the Training Handbook and the registration fee with the validating body CPCAB
TRAINING DAYS
Course delivery includes a mix in person training days at our training venue in London and online training days via Zoom.
Training dates and mode of delivery (in person or online) will be published here and closer to the beginning of the course
“The Level 3 Counselling course has proved to be an excellent choice in my life. I had the privilege of learning from highly qualified and experienced professionals in an environment that is an example of a truly healthy community. There is a huge amount of support and care for everyone which facilitates growth both personally and professionally, and staff richly demonstrates the skills they teach. I have enjoyed every minute of this journey. ”
COURSE OVERVIEW
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
The course is ideal for anyone seeking to make the first step in training as a professional counsellor/psychotherapist or wishing to be better equipped in supporting others - in a caring profession, pastoral care or volunteer capacity.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students must be at least 18 years old, able to attain the academic standard required and have a good command of English (written and oral). During an individual interview applicants will need to demonstrate competence to study at certificate level and the willingness and capacity to develop the personal and professional qualities involved when training as a counsellor.
Good to know: Heart & Mind Certificate in Counselling (Level 3), is a tailored made training course and different to CPCAB standard Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - CST-L3. There is no requirement to have completed CPCAB Level 2 - Certificate in Counselling Skills - CSK-L2, to be considered for this course.
Students who successfully complete this course, may directly apply for our Level 5 - Heart & Mind Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling. Our certificate and diploma courses together, are sufficient, with further practice hours, to gain accreditation as a qualified counsellor / psychotherapist with the Association of Christians in Counselling (ACC) UK, and/or the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
COURSE UNITS
Counselling Skills and Process: Understanding the counselling process and using some of the essential counselling skills and strategies available.
Counselling Theory: An introduction to some of the current treatment methods used today such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic and Person-Centred approach etc.
Counselling and Theology: Definition and aims of counselling, how and why problems develop, key characteristics, role and responsibilities of a counsellor
Counselling Issues: An overview of some of the common psychological problems faced when counselling such as loss and bereavement, depression, anxiety, abuse, eating disorders, trauma, relationship, marriage, and families etc.
Ethics and Good Practice: Principles of good practice when counselling, accreditation and professional standards and the nature and use of clinical supervision.
COURSE RECOGNITION
The programme consists of 100 Guided Learning Hours and students who successfully complete this course will receive a qualification widely accepted.
The certificate course is a Level 3 training accredited with CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).
TUTORIALS AND LEARNING SUPPORT
We pride ourselves in providing a supportive learning environment. There is a high ratio of staff to students and the training team is available for tutorials to offer guidance for students needing extra help in their learning journey. A comprehensive student handbook outlining the course content, recommended reading, criteria and requirements is made available to each student.
ASSESSMENT
Over the length of the course, students are expected to complete regular course work, keep a number of learning journals, write a learning summary and an essay. A small counselling research project is intended to give a wider awareness into a counselling issue that is of particular interest to the student. It is expected that students will need to invest a minimum of 5 hours of personal study for each training day involving reading, essay writing, and assignment preparation.
“I found out about this course from a friend and after checking out the website I felt it was the course for me as the day suited my schedule, it was an integrative approach and was from a Christian perspective. Having now completed the course I can say that it has exceeded my expectations and I have learnt an enormous amount and have developed skills which will take me closer to my aim of becoming a counsellor. I will next be going on to complete the diploma course with Heart & Mind.”
TRAINING TEAM
The Heart & Mind training team has many years of experience in designing, setting up and delivering accredited professional counselling training. The certificate course is overseen by Michael A Ruegg and a training team made up of experienced counsellors and psychotherapists including Karen Leatherbarrow, Kate Snowden and Ashley Duncan. Tutors have been trained in various approaches to counselling and psychotherapy and are accredited with professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the Association of Christians in Counselling UK (ACC) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Course delivery is provided by the training team and guest lecturers who will be invited to cover specialist topics.
ATTENDANCE
To successfully complete the course, students will need to pass all assignments, complete all course work and have a minimum attendance of 80%.
PROGRESSION
After successful course completion, students may progress onto our Heart & Mind Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling (Level 5).
APPLICATION
1. FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM
Complete the training application form below, providing us with some information about yourself and what you are hoping to achieve through the training.
IMPORTANT:
Applications will be considered upon submission with certificate course interviews scheduled in June, July and August. Early application is strongly recommended as courses tend to fill up well in advance of the start dates.
2. COME AND MEET US
Once we received your training application form you will be invited to attend an interview, providing you with an opportunity to meet us in person and ask any further questions you might have.
3. SECURE YOUR PLACE
If your course application is successful you will receive a course offer. To secure your place on the next available course we will ask you to make a non-refundable deposit.
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