Qualification:
Level 2 Certificate
🏷️
£720 per person + £182 CPCAB registration fee
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills | Online
Whether you’re taking your first steps toward a career in counselling, or looking to develop stronger communication and helping skills in your current role, the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is the ideal place to start.
Delivered online via Zoom on Monday evenings, this nationally recognised qualification gives you the practical foundations to use counselling skills ethically and effectively, in a format designed to fit around your work and family life.
There are no previous qualifications required. If you’re aged 18 or over and ready to learn, you’re eligible to apply.
Overview
Who Is This Course For?
This course attracts a wide range of students, and that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. You’ll be learning alongside people from very different backgrounds, all developing the same valuable skills.
This qualification is particularly well-suited to:
Those considering a career in counselling
The Level 2 Certificate is the recognised first step on the CPCAB training pathway. It gives you a genuine taste of counselling practice before you commit to the full qualification route, helping you confirm that this is the right direction for you.
People in helping roles who want to enhance their skills
If you work in health and social care, education, HR, management, or any role that involves supporting others, counselling skills will directly improve the quality of support you’re able to give. Many students find their learning makes an immediate difference in their working life.
Those seeking personal development
You don’t need a professional reason to study counselling. The self-awareness, listening skills, and empathetic communication you’ll develop benefit every relationship in your life — with family, friends, and colleagues.
Adults returning to learning
With no academic entry requirements and flexible evening delivery, this course is genuinely accessible to people who haven’t studied for some time. Many of our students are mature learners making a fresh start.
Those preparing for Level 3 and beyond
If you already know you want to become a qualified counsellor, the Level 2 Certificate is the required starting point for the full CPCAB training pathway leading to the Level 4 Diploma.
Learning Outcomes
What You'll Learn
By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and self-awareness to:
- Use counselling skills ethically and safely across a range of contexts
- Establish and maintain appropriate helping boundaries
- Work empathically as a helper, focusing on the needs and concerns of the person you're supporting
- Use self-awareness as a tool in helping work
- Apply a range of practical counselling skills to facilitate meaningful helping interactions
- Use feedback and reflection to continuously develop your skills
These aren’t abstract concepts. Throughout the 24 sessions, you’ll practise these skills actively with your peers, receiving structured feedback that helps you grow in confidence and ability.
Course Details
Everything You Need to Know
Course Structure
Format: Online via Zoom · Sessions: 24 sessions in total · Day and time: Mondays, 5:45pm – 9:30pm · Duration: Approximately 6–7 months
Each session combines tutor-led learning with practical skills practice. You’ll work in pairs and small groups to practise counselling interactions, giving and receiving feedback in a supportive environment. Between sessions, you’ll complete short reflective written tasks that form part of your assessment portfolio.
The online format uses live, interactive Zoom sessions — not recorded lectures or self-directed study. You’ll be in a real learning group with your tutor and fellow students throughout.
How You'll Be Assessed
There are no formal written exams on this course. Assessment is carried out through two methods:
Written assignments: Short written tasks completed throughout the course, including a reflective learning journal. Designed to be manageable alongside work and family commitments.
Observed skills practice: Your tutor and fellow students will observe your counselling skills practice during sessions. This is a supportive, developmental process — the purpose is to help you improve, not to catch you out.
Assessment is integrated into the learning process rather than bolted on at the end, which most students find much less stressful than traditional exam-based courses.
Entry Requirements
There are no minimum academic entry requirements. You do not need any previous qualifications, counselling experience, or psychology knowledge to enrol.
The only requirements are:
- You must be aged 18 or over
- You must have reliable access to a device with a camera, microphone and stable internet connection
Some students complete our CPCAB Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills beforehand, but this is entirely optional.
Course Fees
The course fee covers all 24 teaching sessions, tutor support, and course materials. The CPCAB registration fee is paid separately to the awarding body.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £720 per person |
| CPCAB registration fee | £182 (payable directly to CPCAB) |
If you have questions about fees or payment, please contact us before applying.
Upcoming Course Dates
January 2027 Cohort (Online via Zoom · Mondays, 5:45pm – 9:30pm)
January 2027 — Full Session Dates
- Mon 4 Jan 2027
- Mon 11 Jan
- Mon 18 Jan
- Mon 25 Jan
- Mon 1 Feb
- Mon 8 Feb
- Mon 15 Feb
- Mon 22 Feb
- Mon 1 Mar
- Mon 8 Mar
- Mon 15 Mar
- Mon 22 Mar
- Mon 5 Apr
- Mon 12 Apr
- Mon 19 Apr
- Mon 10 May
- Mon 17 May
- Mon 24 May
- Mon 7 Jun
- Mon 14 Jun
- Mon 21 Jun
- Mon 5 Jul
- Mon 12 Jul
- Mon 19 Jul
How To Apply
To apply for this course, click the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page, or head to our application form here.
Your Training Pathway
Your Path From Level 2
L2
You Are Here
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
L3
Next step
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
L4
qualify
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
L5-6
Advance
Level 5 / 6 Advanced Qualifications
L7
Specialise
Level 7 Specialist Diplomas
On successful completion of the Level 2 Certificate, you are eligible to apply directly for our CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies. View all our CPCAB counselling courses.
everything you might need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any qualifications to start this course?
No. There are no academic entry requirements for the Level 2 Certificate. As long as you’re aged 18 or over, you’re eligible to apply regardless of your educational background or previous experience.
How much does the course cost in total?
The course fee is £720 per person, plus a £182 CPCAB registration fee payable to the awarding body. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss payment options.
What do I need for the online lessons?
You’ll need a laptop, PC, or tablet with a working camera and microphone, and a reliable internet connection. Sessions are delivered live via Zoom. You’ll need to be present in real time rather than watching recordings.
How long does the course take to complete?
The course runs over approximately 6–7 months, with 24 weekly sessions on Monday evenings from 5:45pm to 9:30pm. You’ll also spend a small amount of time each week on written reflection tasks between sessions.
Will I be qualified to practise as a counsellor after level 2?
No, the Level 2 Certificate is an introductory qualification. To practise as a professional counsellor, you’ll need to progress to at least the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. The Level 2 is the first step on that pathway.
What is the difference between the level 2 certificate and level 2 award?
The CPCAB Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills is a shorter, 10-week introductory course. The Level 2 Certificate is the next step up — a more comprehensive qualification that covers the full range of foundational counselling skills and is the recognised entry point to the professional training pathway.
Is the qualification nationally recognised?
Yes. The CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is an Ofqual-regulated qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It is also recognised by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). CPCAB is the specialist awarding body for the counselling profession and is widely regarded as the gold standard for counselling qualifications in the UK.
What happens after I complete level 2?
You’ll be eligible to apply for the CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies — the natural next step for those wishing to continue toward professional qualification. Many of our Level 2 students progress into our Level 3 course.
How is the course assessed? Are there exams?
There are no written exams. You’ll be assessed through a portfolio of short written assignment tasks (including a reflective journal) and observed counselling skills practice during sessions. Assessment is ongoing throughout the course rather than concentrated at the end.
I haven't studied for a long time - will i be able to keep up?
Many of our students are returning to learning after a gap of several years or more. The written assignments are designed to be manageable, and the teaching is supportive and paced appropriately for adult learners. If you have concerns, we’re happy to have a conversation before you apply, just contact us.
Ready to Take the First Step?
The CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is a practical, accessible qualification that develops skills you’ll use for the rest of your life, whether you go on to qualify as a counsellor or simply want to become a more effective, empathetic person in your existing role. Our next course begins January 2027. Places are limited, so we encourage you to apply early to secure your spot.
