Counselling Courses at the Way Forward Centre
CPCAB QUALIFICATIONS AT THE WAY FORWARD CENTRE: PLEASE FIND COURSE INFORMATION BELOW
CPCAB qualifications are accredited by the Office of the Qualifications & Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) into the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The CPCAB are dedicated to providing the best counselling and life coaching qualifications. By continually reviewing the latest research into effective counselling the CPCAB guarantee that their qualifications are up-to-date and relevant.
As a CPCAB Recognised Training Centre we understand our responsibility to provide quality counselling and psychotherapy training which is externally assessed and verified, and whilst also adhering to robust internal quality assurance and moderation processes.
All training at the Way Forward Centre is recognised or endorsed by the CPCAB The following page will signpost you to further information about each of our training courses from Level 2 to Level 5. We are a small training organisation which is known for attention to detail and quality, we pride ourselves in how we support our students through the challenging process of becoming a qualified counsellor and on into private practice. We keep in touch with our students post qualification and nurture their development as they step into their future counselling careers. We offer a more personalised service than you might find in other education settings, supporting growth of self and professionalism through the learning process
PLEASE READ ON FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT:
ONLINE OR FACE TO FACE COURSES FOR LEVEL 2 & LEVEL 3
CSK-L2 CPCAB CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS
CST-L3 CPCAB CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING STUDIES
FACE TO FACE STUDY FOR LEVEL 4:
TC-L4 CPCAB LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING BACP APPROVED QUALIFICATION
POST QUALIFICATION ONLINE STUDY:
LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING
At The Way Forward Centre you can expect to experience a supportive and nurturing learning environment which will encourage your sense of self growth on a personal and academic level. You will be learning from professionals who are all actively working with clients and have the qualifications and experience to thoroughly underpin your learning. We take pride in the training opportunities we offer and the achievements of our students. As you read through the information below, make sure to follow the links to find out more about each level of study, including fees and access to our application form.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SYNCHRONOUS AND ASYNCHRONOUS STUDY?
We appreciate that picking the right course to ensure progression in the therapeutic profession is essential and there are many courses available to choose from. It might be helpful to understand the difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous study and why it matters, as you make your decision about which course to take. Particularly since the COVID pandemic it has been possible to access a lot of different training online and counselling training has also moved towards online delivery. However the profession still favours a face to face approach where possible but accepts this is not always possible. We therefore offer 2 options for studying level 2 and 3. You can choose to apply to learn 100% online or you can opt to attend 100% face to face.
Synchronous study: is where you would be learning online in real time. At the Way Forward Centre we use Zoom as our preferred platform. You would be expected to sign on and join your group every week at session times and to work on joint exercises together. You would engage in receiving real time feedback from your peers and tutor, be involved in debates and lectures for a full day of study. You would be required to attend every week. Classes are 9.30am until 4.30pm one day per week. Synchronous online study of this nature IS ACCEPTED BY THE CPCAB AND THE BACP when training to become a counsellor.
Asynchronous study: is where you are able to access resources and work through a series of tasks in your own time. You would submit your work for marking and can arrange to have contact with your tutor if you wish but it is not required. The CPCAB or the BACP DO NOT ENDORSE Asynchronous study when training to become a counsellor. Asynchronous study as a part of continued professional development following qualification is recognised, but not as a part of initial qualification. Therefore if you choose to study a course of this nature you will be unable to progress to fully qualify as a counsellor and register with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy or similar governing body. We often have applications from students wishing to progress to Level 3 with us that have only studied an asynchronistic Level 2 course. Unfortunately these students have to repeat Level 2 because they do not have the necessary skills practice training, experience and awareness to move on to Level 3. Counselling is a relational profession and therefore requires an understanding of person to person relationship, the nuances of these relational processes cannot be replicated through Asynchronous study.
THE WAY FORWARD CENTRE is able to offer the level 2 and level 3 courses in one academic year through face to face or online synchronous study. Why not find out more by reading through the following and clicking on the relevant page to find out more about each level of study?
CPCAB LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS CSK-L2: (Updated 30/12/2024)
NEXT INTAKE: SEPTEMBER 2025: Currently receiving Applications!
To undertake Level 2 certificate in Counselling Skills you do not need any prior experience of counselling or additional counselling training. We welcome applications from those wishing to find out more about the profession and who wish to add counselling skills to their CV. Counselling skills training by itself can enrich your professional career and provide new tools for being able to connect with, understand and empathise with service users in your helping profession. Many of our Level 2 students progress on to other levels of study in order to become qualified counsellors but Level 2 is also a stand alone course.
FACE TO FACE STUDY (CLASSROOM BASED)
Start date: Tuesday 9th September 2025
9.30am until 4.30pm every Tuesday apart from school holidays, for 19 weeks
Please make sure you apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Click on the button below for further information about our Level 2 2025, fees and application form.
ONLINE STUDY (SYNCHRONOUS STUDY):
Start date: Wednesday 10th September 2025
9.30am until 4.30pm every Wednesday apart from school holidays, for 19 weeks
Please make sure you apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Click on the button below for further information about our Level 2 2025, fees and application form.
CPCAB LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING STUDIES CST-L3: (Updated 30/12/2024)
We offer progression to Level 3 following on from our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills. Our students are able to complete Level 2 and Level 3 in one academic year, beginning with Level 2 in September and progressing to Level 3 in the following February.
We welcome external applicants for our Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, you would need to have completed either a face to face, or a synchronous online Level 2 course through the CPCAB or similar provider including a total of 72 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). These are hours in live contact with your tutor and peers. An Asynchronous Level 2 where you have studied in your own time with only minimal contact with a tutor will not be accepted. You would be asked to provide a certificate and evidence of the content of your Level 2 as part of your entrance requirement. Once you are accepted on to our Level 3, and as long as you meet all the requirements of the course, you would be able to progress to our Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification.
Our next Level 3 intake is:
FACE TO FACE STUDY (CLASSROOM BASED)
Start date Tuesday 11th February 2025, end date Tuesday 15th July 2025
9.30am until 4.30pm every Tuesday apart from school holidays, for 19 weeks
Please make sure you apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Click on the button below for further information about our Level 3 2025, fees and application form.
ONLINE STUDY (SYNCHRONOUS STUDY)
Start Wednesday 12th February 2025, end date Wednesday 16th July 2025
9.30am until 4.30pm every Wednesday apart from school holidays, for 19 weeks
Please make sure you apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Click on the button below for further information about our Level 3 2025, fees and application form.
CPCAB LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING TC-L4 BACP APPROVED PRACTITIONER QUALIFICATION (Updated 30/12/2024)
This is a 2 year course, covering at least 420 guided learning hours (minimum) of study and a 100 hour supervised placement where you will work with real clients in a local agency setting until you qualify. You will attend class, study, receive personal counselling, attend placement and supervision along with other related activities for the duration of the course. This is a full program of study which will require time outside of class time to complete all the expectations of this course. You are only required to attend class one day per week, 9.30 am until 4.30pm. This course is only taught as a 75% face to face course delivered in the classroom, we reserve 25% of the teaching hours for online synchronous training to cover specific modules such as online and telephone counselling which are an included element of the training. For further details on the course please click on the button at the end of this segment where you will find further course explanations, fees and an applications form.
We welcome external candidates to apply for this course, however you would need to evidence you have met all the course requirements for Level 2 and Level 3, having attended either face to face or online synchronous training. You would evidence this through certificates, qualification transcripts and work experience.
SEPTEMBER 2025 INTAKE: Application Process is OPEN (Updated 30/12/2024)
Start Date Friday 12th September 2025
2 years: 6 academic terms
9.30am until 4.30pm every Friday apart from school holidays.
Please make sure you apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Click on the button below for further information about our September 2025 Level 4, fees and application form.
Access to this course is through interview only following receipt of a completed application form.
CPCAB LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING (Updated 30/12/2024)
This course is delivered 100% online via synchronous delivery, we use zoom as an online platform for our classes. Attendance is required for 1 day , 9.30am until 4.30pm, every fortnight for 1 academic year. Attendance is not required during the school holidays. The course aims to build confidence and professional skills to support independent practice. Therefore all applicants need to have completed at least a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or the equivalent. Access to this course is via interview following receipt of a completed application form.
SEPTEMBER 2025 INTAKE: Application Process is OPEN (Updated 30/12/2024)
Start Date Wednesday 10th September 2025
1 day of study every fortnight, apart from during school holidays, for one academic year
Class Sessions are on a Wednesday 9.30am until 4.30pm
Please make sure you apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
Click on the button below for further information about our September 2025 Level 5, fees and application form.
Access to this course is through interview only following receipt of a completed application form.
