The Way Forward Centre CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies CST-L3
Qualification Number: 600/5104/8
CST-L3 is 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.
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.
We offer an Online Level 3 (Synchronous delivery) and a Face to Face (Classroom based) Level 3 ~ Make sure you apply for the version which suits you best.
Please note: The online course is taught via synchronous delivery, please see the above description for the difference between synchronous and asynchronous delivery.
If you are learning online you will need to make sure you are in a confidential environment and fully able to focus for the duration of class time. There are regular breaks scheduled to help you manage the training days.
Level 2 and 3 can be studied as online courses whereas level 4 must be taught face to face in a classroom environment.
Available Dates Below: Applications Open (last updated 30/12/2024)
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
FEBRUARY 2025 FEE SCHEDULE
Fees are the same whether you have chosen an Online or Face to Face option
Course Fee: £1164 (inclusive of VAT)
In addition you will be required to pay a CPCAB Registration fee: £189 (Registration, External Assessment & Certification)
Total fee: £1353 (Inclusive of CPCAB fee & VAT)
Fees can be paid over a schedule of monthly payments.
Deposit payment £100 to secure your place on the course, following acceptance of your application
If you would like to apply for this course you will find the application form here:
This qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised qualification in counselling skills and want to:
Take the next step in training to become a counsellor
Learn more about counselling theory, ethics and mental health
Be prepared for work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting.
This course will not qualify you to become a practicing counsellor but it may help you decide whether you wish to continue with your training and take the next academic step (Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling).
This award may lead to employment or increase employability for those whose role is to support others in e.g. health and social care work, teaching and learning, advocacy and mediation, support and project work, other helping roles. For those already in employment, this award may improve opportunities for advancement.
It is really important that you attend for the full duration of the course as the CPCAB stipulate a total of 90 guided learning hours are required in order to achieve this qualification, these are the hours you are timetabled to attend the centre. You will have a number of course requirements to complete during this time and maintaining your attendance will be vital in supporting you to achieve your aims. You will be required to spend additional time outside of the class environment studying towards this qualification. The total qualification hours are expected to be at least 196 hours.
Learning Aims
To achieve the qualification, candidates must be internally assessed as Proficient in all 7 learning outcomes of the qualification and must be externally assessed (by CPCAB) as Proficient. The 7 learning aims are listed below. Over the duration of the course you will collate a portfolio which will evidence how you meet these learning outcomes.
1. Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling
2. Understand the counselling relationship
3. Understand difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding
4. Work within a user-centred approach to counselling
5. Use counselling theory to develop selfawareness in counselling practice
6. Understand theories of counselling and mental health
7. Use feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies
To understand more about the contents of this course please download the following powerpoint presentation by clicking on the button below:
The content of this course may be challenging on an emotional and academic level. This is true of all counselling training which is designed to build a high level of personal self awarenes in the counsellor, please read the candidate requirements below to understand how this applies to the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies.
Candidate Entry Requirements
You must have undertaken counselling skills training, e.g. CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours. In addition you would be expected to meet the following:
✓ Ability to translate intra-personal experience into language
✓ Able to benefit from self-development
✓ Emotional stability
✓ Evidence personal insight
✓ Ability to form a counselling relationship
✓ Awareness of difference and diversity
✓ Able to cope with course content
✓ Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
✓ Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
✓ Provide references
We very much hope you will choose to embark on your counselling training with us.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Progression Opportunities
Candidates who achieve CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) and CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies(CST-L3) – or their Required Prior Learning (RPL) equivalent – may progress to CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4). Tutors can allow progression to the first year of TC-L4 for candidates who have not yet completed their assessment for CST-L3. However, such candidates must successfully complete the qualification prior to entry into the 2nd year of TC-L4
The level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling takes 2 years to complete. As long as candidates successfully complete all course requirements then they will qualify as a counsellor after a total of 3 years of study. Some learners continue by studying a further level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling.
It is also possible to ‘top up’ your achievement to a foundation degree through the Open University. More information about this process can be obtained from the CPCAB website: http://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/fd-counselling
Information about each level of training and the course requirements can also be found on the CPCAB website: http://www.cpcab.co.uk/
If you have any specific questions about this course please feel free to contact us by completing the following form:
