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Overview

This two-year, part-time Diploma in Relational Counselling is designed to equip students with comprehensive theoretical understanding, practical skills, and personal development to practice as an ethical, competent, and reflective relational counsellor. The programme places the therapeutic relationship at its core, drawing significantly from relational theories and evidence-based practice while integrating relevant aspects of other humanistic, psychodynamic, and systemic approaches.

Graduates will be prepared for independent practice or employment within an agency setting and will meet the training requirements for individual registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

Key Features

• Relational Focus: Emphasises the “self-with-other” dynamic, intersubjectivity, and the therapeutic relationship as the primary vehicle for change.
• Experiential Learning: Integrates practical skills training, personal reflection, and group process work to foster deep learning and self-awareness.
• Rigorous Academic Content: Covers core counselling theories, ethical frameworks, professional issues, and research awareness.
• Supervised Clinical Practice: Mandates a significant number of supervised client hours (minimum 150 hours) to ensure practical competence.
• Personal Therapy Requirement: Students are required to be in personal therapy throughout the course.
• Accreditation Pathway: Designed to meet standards for BACP Approved Qualification or NCPS Accredited Course status.

Entry Requirements

• A Level 2 and Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills (minimum 90–95 hours of face-to-face tuition).
• Demonstrable maturity, emotional resilience, and capacity for self-reflection.
• Experience in a helping capacity (voluntary or paid).
• Sufficient academic capability to study at diploma level (e.g., GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent).
• Successful interview, which may include an interpersonal skills assessment.
• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for placement.

Assessment Methods

• Essays and written assignments.
• Live skills assessments/role-play scenarios with peer and tutor feedback.
• Individual and group presentations.
• Portfolios of evidence (including logs of client hours and supervision).
• Case studies (written and/or presented).
• Personal learning journals/reflective diaries.
• Professional requirements, including a “Fitness to Practice” assessment.
• Satisfactory attendance (90% minimum) and engagement in personal therapy and supervision.

Course Details

• Course Duration: 2 academic years (part-time).
• Contact Hours: 500 guided learning hours over 36 weeks per year.
• Additional independent study, personal therapy, and placement hours are required.

Module Structure

This proposed module structure aligns with the BACP/NCPS core curriculum requirements while maintaining a distinct relational counselling focus.

Year 1: Foundations of Relational Practice and Self-in-Relation

Module 1: Introduction to Relational Counselling & Foundational Skills

Focus: Core conditions from a relational perspective, active listening, foundational communication skills, and the therapeutic alliance.

Module 2: Human Development, Attachment, and Early Relational Patterns

• Key theories of human development (e.g., Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, Mahler) from a relational lens.
• Attachment theory (Bowlby, Ainsworth) and application to adult relationships.
• Schemas and core beliefs.
• Relational ruptures and repair; “internal working model”.

Module 3: Self-Awareness and Personal Process in the Relational Field

• The use of self in the therapeutic relationship.
• Values, beliefs, and biases.
• Countertransference as a relational phenomenon.
• Personal therapy and counsellor development.
• Group process work; mindfulness and present-moment awareness.

Module 4: Professional and Ethical Practice in Counselling

• BACP/NCPS Ethical Framework.
• Confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection (GDPR).
• Contracting and therapeutic agreements.
• Managing risk (including suicidal ideation and self-harm).
• Clinical supervision; preparing for placement.
• Ethical dilemmas and case studies.

Year 2: Advanced Relational Practice and Integration

Module 5: Advanced Relational Theory and Therapeutic Process

• Intersubjectivity and the co-created therapeutic space.
• Transference and countertransference (relational perspective).
• Relational dynamics across presentations (e.g., anxiety, depression, personality disorder, trauma).
• Introduction to object relations and systemic thinking; field theory.
• Working with resistance and challenge relationally.

Module 6: Diversity, Power, and Anti-Oppressive Relational Practice

• Diversity across race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality (GSRD), disability, age, socio-economic status.
• Intersectionality and its relevance to relational work.
• Power dynamics in the therapeutic relationship and broader society.
• Anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice; privilege and marginalisation.
• Introduction to the Social Graces.

Module 7: Relational Counselling Practice and Integration

• Advanced skills practice (emotional intensity, implicit communication, unfinished business, body awareness).
• Relational patterns outside the therapy room.
• Relationally grounded interventions; integrating theories into a personal model.
• Endings in therapy (relational perspective).

Module 8: Research Awareness and Professional Development

• Research methodologies and ethics.
• Critical appraisal of research relevant to relational counselling.
• Evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.
• Planning CPD, supervision, and accreditation pathways; professional identity.

Ongoing Components Throughout Both Years

1. Clinical Placement: Minimum 150 supervised hours in an approved setting.
2. Clinical Supervision: Typically 1 hour per 8 client hours (fortnightly).
3. Personal Therapy: Minimum 80 hours over two years.
4. Peer Study Groups: Encouraged for support and skills practice.

Next Intake

September 2026

Course Fees

Annual Fee: £3,600 (personal therapy, supervision, and professional body membership fees are separate).

Flexible Payment Options

• Option 1: Annual payment – £3,600 (single payment before the academic year).
• Option 2: Deposit £600 + 12 monthly instalments of £250.
• Option 3: Termly payments – £1,200 per term (3 payments).

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