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Our awarding body is the CPCAB (http://www.cpcab.co.uk)

Our updated course information and application forms are now available below.

Certificate in Counselling Skills

Level 2 courses (CSK-L2)

Tuesday Daytimes – FastTrack Online Learning

– Starting Sept 2023

– Now taking applications

CSK-L2 Sept 23 FastTrack Online Course Information - Click here

Tuesday Evenings – Classroom Based Learning

– Starting Oct 2023

– Now taking applications

CSK-L2 Oct 23 Course Information - Click here

Tuesday Evenings – Classroom Based Learning

–  Starting Jan 2024

– Now taking applications

CSK-L2 Jan 24 Course Information - Click here

Certificate in Counselling Studies

Level 3 Courses (CST-L3)

Tuesday evenings – Classroom Based Learning

 – Starting Oct 2023 

– Now taking applications

Tuesday Daytimes – FastTrack Online Learning

– Starting March 2024

– Now taking applications

CST-L3 March 24 FastTrack Online Course Information - Click here

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

2 year Level 4 practitioner Courses (TC-L4)

Monday Evenings – Classroom Based Learning

 – Starting Oct 2023  

– Now taking applications

Thursday Evening – Classroom Based Learning

 – Starting Oct 2023  

 – Now taking applications

We are based at Marriotts school in the heart of Stevenage and benefit from the excellent facilities available to us.

Becoming a Counsellor

CCA delivers CPCAB qualifications which are professionally recognised by membership bodies and organisations.

Choosing to become a counsellor is a big commitment –  proper training takes time and costs money.

Our Counselling Qualifications:

  • Are developed from the latest research into effective evidence based counselling but remain true to the humanistic/person centred values.
  • Lead to practitioner status and/or further study
  • Support a wide range of other job roles, e.g. social worker, nurse, care worker.
  • Meet the standards set by the professional counselling membership bodies (e.g. BACP) and are accredited by Ofqual.

Is Counselling Training right for me?

 

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills – Compulsory

Who is this qualification for?

If you want to become a counsellor this skills qualification forms the foundation of professional counselling practice as well as providing the essential listening and communications skills used by helping professionals.

It is the first compulsory qualification on our progression route to becoming a counsellor. Your next step is our Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies.

Testimonials – CSK-L2 Students

I am enjoying the Level 2 course enormously and have grown as a person more than I had ever imagined possible in such a short space of time. I had no idea how gaining more self-awareness would make such a profoundly positive impact on myself as a person. I have found all the tutors to be extremely knowledgeable, friendly and approachable.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

I have loved the course. I have become a lot more self-aware, and now practice boundaries in my day to day life. I am really worried about the external exam but will do my best.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

An excellent course, taught at a steady pace by professional, welcoming staff.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

The tutors are brilliant and the course is paced well. You get lots of feedback and time to build on your counselling skills. The extra workshops are a great chance to get to know the students from L3 and 4 also.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

A very detailed, effective course which has opened my eyes to me! Thank you.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

I have really enjoyed the course, and have learnt a lot about myself. It has felt like a journey as we have learnt the fundamental skills of helping and counselling role. The tutors are not only knowledgeable and experienced but are able to adapt to the needs and questions of the group. I would thoroughly recommend this course for anybody that is considering counselling as a profession or works in a helping role or is interested in self-discovery.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

Its been hard work and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve met some amazing people and this course, as well as developing my knowledge and understanding, has also helped me develop as a person.

CSK-L2 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

Before this step…

You must have completed our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) or its equivalent with another awarding body, i.e. a counselling skills course with at least 75 GLH (guided learning hours), in order to start this course.

 

Who is this qualification for?

This is the next step on your route to becoming a counsellor. It introduces you to the three main theoretical approaches to counselling and shows you what you can expect from working with counselling agencies.

As part of this qualification you can volunteer to work for an agency in a non-counselling capacity. Working on an agency-based project is also an effective way of securing a work placement for further counselling experience.

Your next step is our Level 4 Certificate in Counselling Studies.

 

Testimonials – CST-L3 Students

This course has been absolutely amazing! It has enabled me to understand and own my story and help others from It. The teaching is well structured and the tutors are fantastic. My confidence is building and I want to keep going with it.

CST-L3 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

A personal process of growth and invaluable learning in a safe environment with support from peers and tutors.

CST-L3 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

All aspects of the course have been an amazing opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge in my personal life and in counselling.

CST-L3Student(All names witheld for privacy)

This course has been the best decision I made as it gave me the sense of focus and direction through major life changing personal growth and development. I love every moment.

CST-L3 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

The course has widened the understanding I have of myself and others. I have felt so supported and understood by the tutors and others on the course. It has been one of the best experiences of my life.

A safe and compassionate place to learn and grow.

CST-L3 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

I found Nick’s workshop this morning on self-awareness interesting and thought provoking as mine has increased through CSK L2 and CST L3. Through understanding myself more, my patterns of relating, conditions of worth etc which I hope will help me on my learning journey into my future.

CST-L3 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

This course has given me time to think, develop and believe in myself. A well rounded course to embark on.

CST-L3 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Year 1

Before this step…

You must have completed either our level 2 & 3 (see steps 2 & 3) or their equivalent (150 GLH skills and theory).

Who is this qualification for?

This 2 year qualification enables you to work as a counsellor in an agency setting. In year 1 you will learn how to apply a number of approaches to the therapeutic counselling process and volunteer to work in an agency as a trainee counsellor.

You will also continue with your own personal counselling sessions which will give you an invaluable insight into the work of a professional counsellor.

Year 2

Before this step…

You must have completed year 1 of our Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or its equivalent.

Who is this qualification for?

Year 2 of this qualification focuses on furthering your counselling skills and knowledge to ensure that you are able to work safely and effectively as a reflective practitioner within an agency setting.

In the final year of the diploma you will work as a trainee counsellor with an agency and continue your own personal counselling.

Testimonials – TCL4 Students

The tutors are supportive and understanding. The focus is on skills where I have learnt a lot about the process and myself.

TC-L4 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

I have enjoyed the learning and practical aspects of the course and feel the self-reflection I have undertaking has been a useful life skill and experience. I would the Counselling Academy to everyone – the learning has been invaluable and the tutors/environment excellent.

TC-L4 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

This course, from L2 to L4 as a qualified counsellor has provided personal growth, greater self-awareness and a broad understanding of the Person-Centred model. Our tutors are informal and approachable and in my peers I have made lifelong friends. As well as a qualification I’ve gained a life experience.

TC-L4 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

This course has helped me become the person I didn’t know I was! The context and relevance to my own life over the past few years has shown me that anyone can have “life” thrown at them – excellent support, speed and contents. Thank you all.

TC-L4 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

I have really enjoyed the course. I feel I have changed and grown as a result. I am now much more self-aware and a lot more comfortable with who I am.

TC-L4 Student(All names witheld for privacy)

About CCA

  • We offer Person Centred Counsellor practitioner training and our teaching and learning is based on the work of Carl Rogers and contemporary person centred research and development.
  • We are immensely proud of our exam pass rate (and the students who achieve this).
  • Between us, our tutors have over 16 years of experience in delivering practitioner training courses.
  • We are committed and dedicated to our students and we get to know each individual personally in order to support them and ensure they get the best from their learning experience.
  • We work together as a team and draw on our extensive experience as practising therapists in order to bring our courses alive.
  • All of our courses can be paid by monthly instalments in order to spread the cost.

Meet Our Tutors

Christine Joseph

Christine gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Hertfordshire.  She has completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Supervision with the Open College Network and is a qualified Play Therapist.  She is a practicing integrative Counsellor with over 20 years’ experience of working in education (Primary and Secondary) and in private practice, working with people of all ages.  This is Christine’s 5th year teaching Levels 3 & 4 and she is looking forward to developing new creative experiential opportunities to facilitate the learning and vital self-development for more students and trainee counsellors.

Christine is a registered member of BACP.

Ann Gluckstein

Ann has many years’ experience working in both the public employment sector and voluntary sector with a strong focus on social inclusion and in developing and building resilience in clients and families. Finding that some programmes failed to help the most disadvantaged, Ann retrained to be a counsellor with North Hertfordshire College, qualifying in 2005.  Ann has a Certificate in Creative Person-Centred Supervision and a qualification in coaching and mentoring and regularly undertakes more creative training to maintain her personal development which balances her interest in written policies and procedures and her enthusiasm for criteria.  Ann works part-time in a secondary school as Senior Therapist and also has a small private practice.

Ann is a registered member of BACP.

Dawn Wilson

Dawn has been in private practice as an Integrative Counsellor since completing her counselling diploma in 2020, working with both adults and young people aged 11-18 years. She also offers Walk & Talk Therapy sessions where the counselling session takes place in outdoor spaces walking side by side, both literally and metaphorically.

As well as working with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, exam stress, relationship issues, childhood trauma and intrusive thoughts, Dawn also has considerable experience in supporting friends and family of alcoholics.

This will be Dawn’s first year of tutoring, but she is passionate about the profession having high-quality, qualified practitioners and is looking forward to facilitating others gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and learning how they might be able to help others.

In addition to tutoring Level 2, Dawn will run experiential workshops this year that will broaden students’ learning opportunities and enhance self-growth and awareness.

Dawn is an Registered member of BACP.

Alison Strutt

Alison has been a Tutor for 6 years, delivering CPCAB Introduction to Counselling and Level 2 courses and enjoys facilitating others learning process – to learn more about themselves, those around them and how they may also help others.

Qualifying as a counsellor in 2006, Alison has worked in a variety of settings, from education to charitable, youth and mental health organisations, incorporating working with clients from childhood through to adulthood with a variety of issues.

Alongside teaching, Alison currently works in private practice. She is largely person-centred in her approach, but also incorporates other ways of working into her practice. She has a special interest in working with trauma, PTSD, attachment theory and identity issues and some of her subsequent training has incorporated these areas.

Alison is a registered member of BACP.

Kate Ramsay

Kate is an experienced Person-Centred Therapist and Supervisor with 12 years’ experience in agencies and Private practice.  She has worked in drug and alcohol, schools and colleges, mental health and palliative care settings. Kate has 4 years’ experience of delivering Counselling training at Levels 2 and 4.

Kate has a busy private practice and has a keen interest in trauma particularly with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse as well as social diversity and social justice.

Kate is an accredited member of BACP.

Jane Cross

Jane is a person-centred counsellor who initially studied and received her qualification through Marriott’s Counselling Academy.

Jane has a keen interest in working with mother-daughter relationships as well as people who may be experiencing symptoms of depression.

Jane runs her own private practise, and continues to also work for the mental health charity, Mind as well as a domestic abuse charity.

Before coming to counselling later in life, Jane has been a residential social worker working for Barnardo’s with 15 to 19 year olds, a primary school teacher and literacy tutor, tutoring children and young adults.

Jane is looking forward to joining the counselling tutor team this year and being back together and feeling connected in the classrooms after the long lockdowns!

Jane is a registered member of BACP and ACTO

 

Jo Ansell (External Trainer)

Jo is a BACP Accredited counsellor with 11 years’ experience.  She has developed a specialism in bereavement through work in hospices and for Cruse Bereavement Care.  She has experience in the management of counselling services and of delivering specialist training.  Jo has also worked at a women’s resource centre and for several years in private practise.  She is also a supervisor and last year qualified to work with couples.

Jo is an accredited member of BACP.

Kim Barber (External Trainer)

Kim has a Diploma in Person Centered Counselling which she gained from North Herts College in 2001, she then went on to study for a Diploma in Supervision. Kim has worked since qualifying, as a Counselling practitioner and Supervisor in a variety of settings; Homeless Centres and Hostels, Drug and Alcohol Services, NHS primary care, Palliative care and Private Practice.  During the last 19 years Kim has stepped away from direct client work only briefly to follow her interest in Managing Counselling Services in the NHS and Social Care.  Kim’s has a special interest in Trauma, experience, integration and memory.

Kim is an Accredited member of BACP.

External Tutors and Consultants

We are delighted to work with many experienced and knowledgeable practitioners and the following tutors maintain ties with CCA as external consultants.

You might find them delivering workshops, contributing to classes, facilitating supervision or helping with our experiential All Academy days.  We are also grateful for some of their “behind the scenes” contributions too!

Find us

We are based at Marriott’s school (Sports centre entrance).

Telford Road, Stevenage, Herts SG2 OAN

You can reach us on:

07957 312 315  &  07504 959 227

Get in touch

Let us know which course you are considering or feel free to contact us with any questions.

You can reach us on:

07957 312 315  &  07504 959 227

Email us at

info@collaborativecounselling.academy

info@collaborativecounselling.academyinfo@collaborativecounselling.academy

Interested in working for us?  

Please get in touch for further info…