Online Certificate in Counselling Skills
Accredited by COSCA
The Rowan Certificate in Counselling Skills, validated by COSCA, is for anybody who wants to improve their understanding of other people as well as themselves. You will learn to:
- support others by developing practical listening skills
- increase your self-awareness
- build rapport with others
The course is useful and practical, whether you are a sales person, parent, manager, a professional/volunteer carer or helper. Follow this link to hear what a previous student thought of the course.
This online training will use Zoom, reliable and good quality free software, for holding live online meetings. You will be able to see and interact with fellow participants throughout the sessions and split off into breakout rooms for skills practice and small group discussions.
The COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills consists of 4 Modules at SCQF Level 8, each 30 hours of online training time, covering 12 Units over 11 sessions.
Cost
£1620 for the complete certificate (paid at the start of module 1)
£440 per module (paid at the start of each module)
SAAS Funding
Currently £402 which is paid towards module 4. Make three payments of £440 before the start of each of the first 3 modules and £38 for module 4.
Booking Forms
Online Counselling Skills Certificate booking
Module 2, 3 and 4 Online Counselling Skills Certificate booking form for joining mid-certificate
Dates and Duration
COSCA Certification in Counselling Skills:
Information Open Evenings
6th May, 10th June and 15th July 2025
6pm – 7pm
2025 Cohort starting:
August 2025
Module 1 from 12th August 2025
Module 2 starts 21st October 2025
Module 3 starts 6th January 2026
Module 4 starts 17th March 2026
This cohort will meet online from 6pm to 9pm generally on Tuesday evenings with occasional Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Module 1 - August 2025
August 12th, 19th, 26th, 30th
September 2nd, 9th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 30th
October 7th
Module 2 - October 2025
October 21st, 28th
November 4th, 8th, 12th, 18th, 22nd, 25th
December 2nd, 9th, 16th
Module 3 - January 2026
January 6th, 13th, 20th, 24th, 27th
February 3rd, 10th, 24th, 28th
March 3rd, 10th
Module 4 - March 2026
March 17th, 24th, 31st
April 21st, 28th
May 5th, 16th, 19th, 26th
June 2nd, 9th
HMN Cohort starting August 2024
Module 1 from 13th August 2024
Module 2 starts 22nd October 2024
Module 3 starts 7th January 2025
Module 4 starts 25th March 2025
This is Hilary McNally’s cohort. They meet online between 6pm and 9pm generally on Tuesday evenings with the occasional day, 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday.
Module 1 - August 2024
August 13th, 20th, 27th, 31st,
September 3rd, 10th, 17th, 21st, 24th
October 1st and 8th 2024
Module 2 - October 2024
October 22nd, 29th
November 5th, 9th, 12th, 19th, 23rd, 26th
December 3rd, 10th, 17th
Module 3 - January 2025
January 7th, 14th, 21st, 25th, 28th
February 4th, 11th, 25th
March 1st, 4th and 11th
Module 4 - March 2025
March 25th
April 1st, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd, 10th and 17th
Part Time Fee Grant
We are listed by SAAS as a part time private training provider.
The COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills is credit rated at SCQF Level 8 with 10 credits per module. If you book to study the whole Certificate ie all 4 modules, then you may be eligible for the SAAS Part Time Fee Grant to cover some of your fees. In 2025 the Part Time Fee Grant was £402.
Contact SAAS to find out whether you are eligible, how much the grant is, and how to apply.
What does the course involve?
The course involves three main strands:
- Theory
- You’ll learn and understand the concepts of counselling and counselling skills, find out more about ethics and learn how to listen to and support others.
- Skills
- You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, such as active listening skills, the use of body language, and speaking effectively while others listen.
- Self-awareness
- You’ll take part in insightful exercises to better understand yourself and how others perceive you.
The COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills comprises of four connected and self-standing modules each of which is 30 hours long. All modules must be passed to gain the certficate. Assessment is a combination of observation of skills by the tutors and a written essay at the end of a module. Participants must attend 85% of each module in order to pass.
Assessment
This course is credit rated at 40 SCQF points at Level 8 by Edinburgh Napier University. Trainees need to demonstrate competence in the learning outcomes of each module before proceeding to the next module. This assessment is made by the submission of a written assignment and through the trainee’s skills being observed by a trainer.
Why Rowan Training?
All Rowan Trainers are experienced trainers as well as practising counsellors or psychotherapists and have experience of using counselling skills in other professions. The direct counselling practice of the tutors helps to inform and enhance the training offered by Rowan. Each group will consist of between six and eighteen trainees, and are taught by two trainers in larger groups.
Hilary McNally
Counsellor, Supervisor and Trainer
Hilary worked in communications for many years before retraining as a counsellor and completing a PGDip in Counselling at Abertay University in 2018 and an MSc by research in 2020. She has also completed a Diploma in Online and Telephone Counselling and a Certificate in Supervision.
Hilary initially worked as a counsellor in the charity sector before joining the Counselling and Mental Health team at Abertay University where she now works on a part-time basis. She runs a small counselling and supervision practice in Dundee.
Susan Dobson
Counsellor and Trainer
Susan has over 20 years experience in designing and delivering training courses for counsellors, she also is the Senior Learning & Development Officer for Public Protection in Glasgow supporting the best practice in working with vulnerable families and communities.
Susan runs a busy counselling and training practice from her home, working with organisations including the NHS, SafeLives and Edinburgh Napier University.
Very high impact. At first I struggled to see the relevance but as the course progressed it was really worthwhile. I learned new skills and believe that I have emerged as a more capable effective worker.Well delivered course. I learned a great deal about myself and how I work with young people.
Staff have found the range of courses provided by Rowan useful and the COSCA modules very useful in boosting worker confidence to handle sensitive issues in the care settings they work in. I am delighted that the certificate is now credit rated within the SCQF, which gives us, as employers, a level for the purpose of gauging staff competencies.
Register Now
The COSCA Rowan Certificate in Counselling Skills isn’t just about improving your listening skills. It’s a journey of self-discovery too. Face the challenge and book today.
Alternatively, if you need more information, give Rowan a call today on 01738 562 005 to speak to one of the trainers.