This is a focused, professional training course in online counselling, including practical experience of working with real online clients. The Internet is an increasingly important route for providing advice and support - it is the place many people turn to first for help. This 10-module home study course explores the explosion in Online Counselling, and the skills required to provide effective distance support. This course is designed for qualified counsellors who have already completed their counselling diploma and would now like to develop the online side of their practice.
Subjects covered include: Communicating on the Internet - IM, chat, e-mail, websites, videoconferencing, and more; ethical and legal consideration; online counselling skills; online counselling groups; technical aspects; security and confidentiality; cultural issues in online counselling; business aspects of the online counselling service, including setting up a website, marketing your practice, finding clients and building an online reputation.
The course fee includes course book Online Counselling: A Handbook for Practitioners, by Gill Jones and Anne Stokes, all required course material and full tutorial support. Students have up to three years to complete this course, allowing them to work through the modules at their own pace. On average, however, it takes students around 6 - 8 months to complete the course, based on 4 - 5 hours study time per week. The course includes some practical work (approx. 6 hours), arranged through the free online counselling programme at: online counselling.
Before undertaking practical work students must first successfully pass 7 course assignments. They should also have a Diploma in Counselling or equivalent, as a minimum, and some face-to-face counselling experience. Our tutorial team can offer further advice on suitable qualifications or other requirements, so please get in touch if you are not sure.
As noted, this course assumes some knowledge of face-to-face counselling and is ideal for counsellors who would like to transfer their existing face-to-face skills to online communication.
why choose us?
Our tutorial support is second-to-none! When you enrol on the course you are assigned an experienced personal tutor who will work with you all the way through. Tutors are available by e-mail at any time to offer support, advice or if you would just like a chat about how the course is going - including weekends, bank holidays and evenings! We see this level of support as central to the success of our courses. If you would prefer to chat to your tutor you can arrange a call back through the main office at a mutually convenient time.
