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THE NORWICH CENTRE

Certificate in Counselling Skills Autumn 2023

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Professor Brian Thorne
"As co-founder of the Norwich Centre, I am delighted that we are offering a Certificate in Counselling Skills to a new generation of practitioners.  As the first person-centred institute in Europe it is fitting that we should be honouring the legacy of Carl Rogers in this way from a building which Rogers himself visited and in a training unit dedicated to his memory.    I look forward to meeting participants."
Dr Caroline Kitcatt MBACP (Snr Accred)
"I have been involved in the design and delivery of counselling training for many years, including seven years working on the Post-Graduate Diploma at the University of East Anglia with particular responsibility for the module on spirituality and counselling.  I was the Course Director of that course for two years from 2009-2011, and I am also an employer of counsellors.   I am pleased we are able to provide such high quality training for those wishing to develop counselling skills. We have designed this course to be true to the classical person-centred approach, but with the added strand of exploring spirituality for which the Norwich Centre is well-known."

The Course

Certificate in Counselling Skills Autumn 2023

June 2023 Due to high demand for places we are pausing accepting applications. Please check back for updates. 
This course is designed to develop counselling skills to both help in the workplace and to prepare participants for further person-centred counselling training.  It is particularly suitable for those whose work demands relating with others, such as in the caring professions, teaching, human resources, or pastoral roles as well as being suitable preparatory work for professional counselling training.
The Certificate in Counselling Skills aims:
  • To provide training that enables students to develop the skills of the person-centred approach as developed by the late Carl Rogers and his associates
  • To provide knowledge, skills and understanding relating to the contribution of research to the profession.
  • To encourage the view that doing research is integral to good practice.
  • One unique aim of the Certificate course is to engage in exploration of the implications of person-centred theory and practice for spiritual understanding and development.
  • The person-centred focus of the course is reflected not only in the content of the course but also in the model of assessment. At the end of the course each individual engages in a peer and self-assessment process which is monitored by course staff and an external examiner.
Useful information about counselling training can be found at
Award: The Norwich Centre Certificate in Counselling Skills is designed as a graduate level training which will allow you to progress to a post-graduate professional counsellor training such as our Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling.
Entry requirements: Successful completion of the Norwich Centre Introduction to Counselling Skills Course or equivalent, completed application form and successful interview.  The purpose of the interview will be to clarify information on the application form and readiness for embarking on an intensive training of a personally demanding nature. If you have any doubts about your readiness or suitability, please contact the Norwich Centre to arrange an informal discussion.
Number of Participants: 18

Certificate in Counselling Skills FAQs

Yes, absolutely. It is not necessary to have a first degree, your ability will be assessed from your application form and an interview if necessary.
No that is not necessary.
This is best practice in accordance with BACP guidelines. It means the group is held effectively and is particularly important when exploring personal issues in the group or in skills practice.  Our tutors are very experienced practitioners and bring that experience to their work as tutors.  They also have considerable experience of counsellor training at different levels and we consider this to be vital to delivering a credible training course.
We are able to accept payment by instalments, provided a deposit is paid to secure your place.  The fees must be paid by the start of the course.  Please contact us to discuss this.

There is no funding available that we know of but please contact us to discuss this.

It is difficult to put a set time on this.  Private study will be encouraged by setting pre-reading texts for consideration during the session. Time spent reflecting and reading between sessions will enable participants to benefit more fully from the course.
Participants will be expected to keep an on-going learning journal to record their process. This will also assist in the writing of assignments.  You should allow time each week for this, and for reading.
There are three written assignments, plus one formative assignment.