You’ve probably heard of counselling courses before. A counselling training service is just where people go to learn how to do that sort of work — supporting others, knowing what to say (or not say), and being able to handle things calmly.
It’s not just about reading or theory. You learn by doing. Talking with people. Listening properly. Figuring out how to hold space for someone who’s upset without making it about you. There are also bits on confidentiality, ethics, and how to stay professional.
It can be a bit full-on, but it’s not complicated — it’s people learning to sit with people, that’s really it.
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Why Do People Do It?
There’s no single reason, really. Some want a new career. Others are already working in care or support jobs and want to add to what they can offer. And some are just curious — they want to understand people better, or maybe figure themselves out a bit more.
Some are thinking long-term
They want to be counsellors. Go into schools, the NHS, open a private space. That sort of thing.
Others? Just want to be better with people
Might be family stuff. Could be work. Or maybe they’re the one people come to, and they want to feel like they know what they’re doing when it happens.
What Do You Actually Learn?
It depends on the course, but most of them cover stuff like:
- how to really listen without interrupting
- recognising how someone feels, even if they don’t say it directly
- when to talk, when not to
- knowing what’s yours to carry and what’s not
- the basics of different ways people practise counselling (like person-centred stuff, or CBT)
There’s also lots of practice. You don’t just sit and listen to a tutor — you get into it. Real conversations with other people on the course. Sometimes it’s weird. Sometimes it’s great.
Practice + Supervision = Essential
You can’t learn this in theory only. You have to do it — mess it up a bit — and learn from that.
That’s why practice sessions are such a big deal. You work in pairs, or small groups. One person talks, the other listens. You take turns. You make mistakes. Then you reflect on it. That’s how it works.
And there’s someone more experienced — a supervisor — who checks in, gives feedback, and makes sure nothing’s heading the wrong way. It’s about safety, for everyone involved.
Who Offers the Training?
Plenty of places, to be fair. Could be a local college. Could be a counselling centre that runs courses. Some private providers do it as well.
As long as the course is recognised by someone like the BACP or CPCAB, you’ll know it’s up to scratch.
Why It Matters
Let’s be honest — loads of people are struggling. Some talk about it. Some don’t. But it’s there.
Training in counselling helps more people be the kind of person someone else can talk to. Not to fix them — that’s not the point — but to actually sit and be with them in it.
Even if someone never becomes a full-time counsellor, those skills? Still valuable. Still needed. Every day.
What’s Changing?
People are busy, so courses are changing too. Some are online. Some are mixed — part Zoom, part in-person.
There are apps now, too. Forums. Groups where you can get support between sessions. But the heart of it stays the same: listening, not rushing to respond, and making space for people to feel what they feel.
Victoria Counselling & Training Service has been offering training for years. They run intro courses, longer diplomas, and support people whether they’re looking for a career or just want to learn how to be more present with others.
If you’re thinking about it — whether it’s for work or yourself — have a look at what they offer.
