Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy

• Personal Development
• Overview of Theorists & Key Approaches
• Counselling Skills
• Introduction to the profession of counselling & psychotherapy

Assessment: Assignments - Taught and Designed to a level comparable to Level 6 on NFQ.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

You can expect to learn more about yourself and your inner processes, and how this may inform your everyday life. This is fostered by the lecturer’s creation of a safe, supportive learning environment that encourages and respects your unique journey. You will be introduced to some of the key forefathers and mothers of psychotherapy, as well as the theoretical frameworks that continue to inform the field today. You will learn some of the essential ‘baseline’ skills of the counselling relationship and have the chance to practice these in a live setting via small group work with your colleagues. Lecturers will be on hand to provide guidance and feedback. The final module aims to give you a brief introduction to the field of counselling and psychotherapy as a profession before offering an opportunity to integrate learning acquired from across the course. Time is also given for students to reflect on their individual experiences and consider the group’s achievements as the course comes to an end.

All PCI College Lecturers are highly qualified, experienced individuals who hold a minimum of a Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy and are practising Counsellors accredited with the IACP. Many hold MSc's in specialist fields. 

Since our foundation, we have taken the steps necessary to ensure the delivery of a quality service in an environment that is characterised by an attitude to adult learners that is supportive and encouraging. We aim to provide an experience of learning that will develop in students a hunger for reflective and critical analysis.

Our learning programmes are designed to be participative, experiential and to draw whenever possible on prior lived experience. The academic value of programmes is enhanced by a learning environment that is warm, transparent, and genuine. Learners and staff interact in a mutual effort to engage in and promote the concept of lifelong learning. 

Fees:

PCI College tuition fee for Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy is €1,480

Application Process: 

Applicants are invited to complete and return the online Application Form. Applications must be accompanied by an Initial Deposit of €450, which is deductible from course fees if the application is successful. The balance of the fees €1,030 is payable in full before the course commences. Applicants are entitled to a refund if they decide to cancel within 14 days of receipt of their application. Please note that the name used on your application needs to be the same name that you have on your passport. 

The College makes every effort to avoid altering course times, course commencement and conclusion dates. However, should any changes be necessary, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. A full refund will be given to all applicants in the event that a class does not proceed. 

Students who complete the Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy (In-class, online & blended) will be invited to apply for entry to the BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy which leads to qualification as a professional therapist. The skills and knowledge gained in the Certificate are also beneficial in many other roles, as students focus on listening skills, interpersonal communication and a range of basic counselling approaches which are applicable in work and personal settings.

The BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy is accredited by Middlesex University at Level 6 FHEQ, which is comparable to a Level 8 NFQ.  The PCI College professional counsellor/psychotherapist training programme, the Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (awarded in Year 3 of the Degree Programme), is fully accredited by the IACP in all PCI College venues. You can see more information here about professional accreditation.

Here are a selection of testimonials from our Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduates

Please click here for student experience video

“Helpful lecturers. Small classes. Like-minded people. The wonderful atmosphere in class. Brilliant personal development. Knowledgeable lecturers. Interesting classes and never boring.” 

Student, Dublin 

“I loved the open group learning, lot of practising and good venue….Very good experience, not only as a start for further education but as self-development”
Student, Kilkenny

“I thoroughly enjoyed the personal development module. I gained so much knowledge especially form the group work and I have learned so much about myself and how to deal with things both past and present.” 

Margaret Bousquet, Dublin West

“Overall the core work completed within the course is essential as a basis for a career in counselling with regard to PCI the lecturers are a credit to them and the online services etc. are excellent”
Student, Athlone

“My personal experience of PCI College and the Certificate course has been excellent; it far exceeded my expectations and would highly recommend it to anyone considering a course in this area.” 

Colette Lennon, Dublin

“I enjoyed this course immensely. It opened up a new vision for me and allowed me to focus on who I want to be and what I want to believe. Our group was amazing and the trust we all had with each other was great and it enabled us to share our personal experiences. We had some great moments in the classroom. I would recommend it not only for those who want a career in counselling but for those who want to personally develop and take time out of their busy lives.”

Laura Farrell, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Kilkenny

“Very worthwhile course, interesting and educational and fun” 
Student, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Limerick

"Very worthwhile course as CPD and/or career development or change in career path." 

Maggie Barton, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Belfast

“Very good course and a good introduction to the theorists. Learned good listening skills and a good sense of positiveness re self-worth and self-esteem.” 

Dorothy Ryan, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Limerick

“Excellent facilitators. I enjoyed the content and flow of the course.” 

Patricia O’Neill, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Limerick

“Enjoyed it very much, feel I learned a lot, and it helped me understand how our thinking and feeling can affect behaviour. Made me hungry for more.”
Student, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Athlone

"Having studied counselling in one of the local further education colleges, I found PCI to be more in touch with the needs of their students. The fact that the tutors are counsellors themselves, they understand some of the obstacles that are faced."

Student, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Belfast

“I am delighted I chose to study with PCI and look forward to my future involvement on the course.”

Student, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Cork

“Really enjoyed the 'conversational style' of the method of delivery: very relaxed atmosphere, encouraging tutors, very well informed tutors, classmates were very pleasant as well. Probably the first time I have been in a learning environment which was not harried or stressful…. Overall impression - very pleased. Tutors extremely pleasant and professional.”

Student, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Cork

“Very good course suitable for persons of all age. Excellent lecturers.”

Ian Macneill, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Dublin

“It was phenomenal and such a wonderful experience” 

Naledi Kumalo, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Dublin

"It was a small class and we jelled very quickly. There was a lot of trust and support from both tutors and the other students. The lessons were well planned and interesting; if a discussion went in a different direction to the one planned we were allowed to follow the thread and not pulled back to the lesson plan which helped a lot with understanding."

Student, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Belfast

"Having graduated and started practising and meeting fellow counsellors, I have become more impressed with the breadth of the training that we received with PCI...Overall I had an excellent experience with PCI and would gladly recommend the college to anyone thinking of training in the area" 
Tony Freegrove, Certificate and BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Dublin West

“Enjoyed my time there immensely. Staff are wonderful including the kind lady and gent who tidy the student area. Felt supported at all times. Have grown immensely as a result.” 

Maria Martin, Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Dublin West

“Excellent tutors and course-work made this course very enjoyable. Also, Joyce in PCI was a fabulous & caring person and is a treasure to PCI Clondalkin. The Student Care Officer Phil Duggan was a great help in keeping students on track with their required hours. I found the college had a lovely approach in dealing with students, and helping them to handle the pressure of completing the high level of college hours, assignments, workshops, client hrs, personal therapy hrs, and supervision hrs required.” 
Jenny Hannigan, Certificate & BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduate, Dublin West   

Can I go straight into the Degree programme?

The Certificate Course or Equivalent (see below) is a prerequisite for our BSc (Hons) Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Equivalent:
• Work/Volunteer training with a substantial counselling element.*
• Level 7+ course in Psychology, Social Care/Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing or Equivalent.*

*Entry onto the BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy may require catch-up work to be completed. This is based on an assessment of your prior learning, which will be discussed at Interview.

Moreover, for those considering a career in counselling, a Certificate Course is an essential stepping stone to prepare for a professional qualification. It will help you develop an understanding and appreciation of counselling as a distinct interpersonal form and will help you decide whether it is the right career choice for you.

Can I automatically do the Degree programme after completing a Certificate course?
Upon completion of this course, students will be invited to interview for our Middlesex University BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 6 FHEQ - Comparable to Level 8 NFQ) which fully meets the training criteria of the IACP. Entry is by application and interview.

What is the difference between the various start dates of the Certificate Course?
All of our Foundation courses are 100 hours and are exactly the same content.

Can I do the Certificate course as a standalone course?
Of course, the Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy is an enjoyable and challenging course developed for those who want to enrich their own personal development.

How is the course assessed?
There are two written assignments – a book review and a reflection of your journaling throughout the course.

How many are in a class?
We keep classes small (20 students), we aim to provide students with experiences and opportunities which will enable them to develop their potential in a supportive, stimulating and challenging environment, where ideas are discussed freely and where there is a sense of sharing in a continuing process of self-discovery.

I am on Social Welfare. Is there any funding available?
As we are a private college, there is no specific funding available. However, people do receive funding due to their own personal circumstances. Contact your local Citizens Information Office for more information.

What job opportunities are there for counsellors/psychotherapists?
The field of counselling & psychotherapy is very broad.  Some graduates are working part-time in private practice, some are working full time in eg HSE or schools or addiction centres or charities etc, and some have pursued their own area of interest by providing a new service in their community.  From surveys of graduates, most are working at least part-time in counselling & psychotherapy but some are simply continuing with their original career e.g. teachers, Garda Síochána etc.

What’s the deadline for Certificate course applications?
There is no deadline.  The course is filled on a first come, first served basis. 

Language Requirements

All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or equivalent, on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.