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.

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.

COSCA Certification in Counselling Skills:
Information Open Evenings

4th December 2024
15th January 2025
5th February 2025
6pm – 7pm

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

SDN 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 22nd March 2025

This is Susan Dobson’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 22nd, 25th
April 1st, 22nd, 29th
May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
June 3rd and 10th

HMN Cohort starting March 2025

Module 1 from 5th March 2025
Module 2 starts 4th June 2025
Module 3 starts 22nd October 2025
Module 4 starts 11th February 2026

This is Hilary McNally’s cohort. They meet online between 6pm and 9pm on Wednesday evenings.

 

Module 1 - March 2025

March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
April 2nd, 16th, 23rd, 30th
May 7th, 14th and 21st 2025

Module 2 - June 2025

June 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
August 20th, 27th
September 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
October 1st

Module 3 - October 2025

October 22nd, 29th
November 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
December 3rd, 10th
January 14th, 21st, 28th 2026

Module 4 - February 2026

February 11th, 18th, 25th
March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
April 15th, 22nd, 29th
May 13th

Funding Option

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 2022 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

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

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.

Carie Taylor-Burns

Xplore Project, Dundee

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.

Karl Stern

Learning and Organisational Development Manager, Housing and Community Care, Perth and Kinross Council

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.