Level 2 – Counselling Skills
About this course
Level 2 Counselling Skills is a great place to begin if you're interested in counselling, want to develop your communication skills, or are considering progressing towards becoming a qualified counsellor.
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You don't need any previous counselling training or experience to join the course. You'll begin developing practical counselling skills alongside greater self-awareness and an understanding of how we relate and communicate with others.
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The course is experiential as well as academic, so you'll learn through skills practice, group work, personal development and reflection — not simply by sitting and listening.
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For students wishing to continue their counselling training, Level 2 provides progression to the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies.
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Course at a glance
20 weeks
Course duration
90 hours
Guided learning
Face-to-face
Hockley Heath, Solihull
90%
Attendance requirement
What you'll learn
Level 2 combines practical counselling skills with opportunities to develop your self-awareness and understanding of the counselling process.
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Throughout the course, learning will include:
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• Counselling skills practice
• Workshops and seminars
• Personal development activities
• Training group work
• Projects and presentations
• Tutor and peer feedback
• Review and reflection on your learning
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Classes are predominantly taught face-to-face at our centre in Hockley Heath. There may also be an occasional online classroom session, giving students experience of how communication and counselling skills can feel different when working remotely.
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Assessment
Assessment takes place throughout the course and is designed to demonstrate your developing counselling skills, knowledge and self-awareness.
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You will build a portfolio of evidence across the course. This may include written work, learning reviews, tutor-observed counselling skills practice and feedback from tutors and peers.
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There is no external examination for this qualification. Assessment is completed internally by Maple Leaf in line with CPCAB requirements, with students required to demonstrate proficiency across the qualification's learning outcomes.
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Entry requirements
No previous counselling training or experience is required for Level 2.
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As counselling training involves self-reflection, personal development and working closely with others, applicants should be ready to engage with both the practical and personal elements of the course.
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When considering applications, we will look for:
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An interest in developing counselling and communication skills
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A willingness to reflect on your own experiences and personal development
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The ability to engage with the academic and practical requirements of the course
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An openness to learning about difference, diversity and the experiences of others
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The ability to give, receive and reflect upon feedback
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A clear reason for wanting to undertake counselling training
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The capacity to participate safely and appropriately in experiential group learning
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Important: Counselling training can involve personal disclosure and emotionally challenging material. If you are currently experiencing significant emotional or psychological difficulties, we may recommend that you delay starting the course until you are better able to engage safely with the demands of training.
Course dates & times
Monday evening
7 September 2026
4.30pm – 9.30pm
Tuesday daytime
1 September 2026
10.00am – 3.00pm
The course runs for 20 teaching weeks, following Solihull term dates.
Course fees
£895
2026/27 course fee
£250 deposit
followed by 5 monthly instalments of £129
Course fees are payable in full and remain payable if you withdraw from the course before completion. Fees can be paid in full or through our monthly payment plan.
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All cohorts are subject to minimum enrolment numbers. If a course is unable to run, applicants will be notified at least two weeks before the scheduled start date.
Qualification & progression
On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2).
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Level 2 is designed to develop counselling skills rather than qualify you to practise as a counsellor. It provides a foundation for further counselling training and progression to the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3).
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The skills developed on the course can also be valuable in roles where listening, communication and working effectively with others are important.
Qualification: CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2)
17
Credit Value
170 hours
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
90
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
500/7938/4
Qualification number