Our counselling training courses

Our counselling courses (basic counselling skills courses and diploma in counselling courses) are part-time and our diploma in counselling course is accredited by ABC Awards (formerly known as Centra), a nationally recognised accrediting body. Please consult the appropriate web page to find out more about the counselling courses by clicking on the menu button above. You may also want to consult our more general points about counselling training here.Our counselling courses are run in Liverpool, please click here for the exact location.

The key objective of CTPDC Counselling Training Limited is to deliver high quality counselling training courses. Our tutors will provide the necessary support to all students to fulfil their aim, matching the students' learning and training efforts.

Studying is a commitment and investment of time and money. This is why we organise open days for our prospective students. The open days are compulsory for the perspective Diploma in Counselling students. In these open days, candidates have an opportunity to meet the course tutors and get a clear and detailed presentation of the requirements of the course, the timetable for the whole course, accreditation and similar issues. It also provides candidates with the opportunity to put questions to the course tutors, clarify issues and therefore be able to make an informed decision.

Our courses account for individual training needs and utilise the strengths of group dynamics. Students are expected to pursue the course with a positive commitment, taking full advantage of the resources and facilities offered by CTPDC and, in particular, contact with the tutors, the director of CTPDC, Advisory Board members and other students.

Quality assurance

All course tutors are qualified counsellors with a teaching qualification or the equivalent. They have counselling supervision and have ongoing personal development. We expect our tutors to be able to teach theories and demonstrate the practical application of these theories. They have to be able to manage the class and use effectively the group dynamics that emerges during the course for the benefit of the learning of individual students. Tutors also have to show the values and behaviours that could contribute to the personal and professional development of the students.

On Basic Counselling Skills courses, the sessions on alternative approaches to Person Centred counselling and on Diploma in Counselling courses special subjects are delivered by guest speakers, who are experts in the subject. The list of these sessions can be accessed by clicking the link above.

CTPDC developed a comprehensive quality assurance system. The process of monitoring, evaluation and review of the courses and the progression of individual students includes the following:

Information from students

Students' weekly feedback
Written end of term evaluation and end of programme reviews by students
Monthly tutorials

Tutors' meetings

Weekly meetings reporting on progress and issues that emerge
Short evaluation of each day's session with written programme report
Incorporation of the end of term and end of programme reviews' findings as proposed changes to future programmes

Internal moderation
The internal moderator appraises our counselling courses by sampling students' files and evaluating questionnaires completed by the students throughout our courses. The internal moderator interviews the students and the tutors and then will produce a report, a copy of which will be available to the students, tutors and the external moderator. The internal moderator evaluates the course at midway and at the end of the course. Any concerns the tutors have whilst running the course they raise at that time with the internal moderator.

External moderation

The external moderator (nominated by the accrediting body) interviews the students and checks their progression. There are clear guidance to tutors, internal moderator and students on the requirements for awarding credits for each module (learning outcomes and evidence of achievement). Journals and achievement records have to be submitted to the tutor by the date specified at the beginning of the courses. After the internal marking, these are submitted to the external moderator. Upon receiving the approval of the external moderator, students receive the award of certificates from the awarding body.

Learning support

The venue has a library and IT facilities. Should any student require support for basic learning skills, they will be advised appropriately.

The following support, that we believe is unique in the sector, is provided to our three-year diploma in counselling course students:

The maximum number of students in any one course will not exceed 12.
There will be two tutors for each course.
There will be two individual tutorials a month for every student.
Although students are encouraged to seek their own placement, we guarantee that all of our students will have their placement by the middle of the second year.
Our special sessions and theme-workshops will be delivered by our guest speakers who are experts in the subject concerned.
We provide all the necessary equipment for tutor and student works and presentations. Students will have access to all the refereed counselling journals.
Our residential weekends will take place in an environment that facilitates maximum learning experience (including the third year residential weekend abroad)
E-mail address, course management website and discussion forum.