The overall aims of this introductory course are:

1 .To enhance and improve the verbal communication skills of participants, in particular the ability to listen, to respect silence and to communicate empathic understanding. Emphasis will be given to working in groups.

2. To provide a realistic understanding of the demanding nature of vocational training especially in counsellor skills training.

3. To introduce students to experiential learning processes that will include a high element of personal growth work, developing further self confidence and self esteem.

4. To prepare students to move into the Level 3 (seven month) qualification which provides further skills development; this will also be offered at The Albany Centre.

At the end of the Introduction to Counselling course students should:

• have a basic understanding of what counselling is about and compare and contrast with other forms of helping.
• have some basic skills to further improve their own communication processes.
• understand more clearly what counselling training entails and be able to make a more informed choice as to whether or not to undertake counselling training.

On fulfilment of the assessment criteria, students will be entitled to receive a Certificate.