Certificate in Foundational Skills & Competence in Counselling & Psychotherapy
Course Overview
Learn fundamental skills and competencies in counselling & psychotherapy practice.
This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.
The certificate is delivered by the Irish College of Humanities & Applied Sciences (ICHAS) and is an ideal introduction to the world of counselling and psychotherapy, offering participants the opportunity to explore this growing profession in Ireland.
It serves as an excellent introduction to the area of counselling and teaches general counselling skills that will benefit people in both their personal and professional lives. This programme is suitable for those who wish to study both Counselling and Psychotherapy at a foundational level, either to support existing roles or as a point of initial discovery as to whether a Major Award might be something that they wish to pursue.
Why study Certificate in Foundational Skills & Competence in Counselling & Psychotherapy at Griffith College?
The certificate is designed for those who have little or no professional experience but wish to extend their knowledge of interpersonal and counselling skills prior to undertaking more advanced educational training in counselling at degree level. It is also relevant for healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers, managers, customer services, sports coaches and others.
- Students gain practical experience as well as theoretical understanding of the area of counselling which they can later apply both personally and professionally.
- Classes are conducted on a part-time basis, comprising of one evening a week for 12 weeks.
- Small class sizes ensure that you get the one-on-one attention needed to perfect your counselling skills.
- Graduates can apply for further higher-level studies in the field.
- Successful Students will gain 20 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications
Course Highlights
- Taught through Blended Learning
- Benchmarked against European Association of Counselling Training Standards (2015)
- Designed for learners who wish to develop their counselling and psychotherapy skills for both personal and professional development.
- Successful completion of this programme means the participant will have completed 20 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Part-Time - October 2025
- Limerick - Part-Time - October 2025
- Cork - Part-Time - October 2025
- Dublin - Part-Time - February 2026
- Limerick - Part-Time - February 2026
- Cork - Part-Time - February 2026
Course Details
Participants take two modules to complete this programme
Theoretical Perspectives in Counselling & Psychotherapy (10 ECTS)
The aim of this module is to introduce a range of theories central to counselling and psychotherapy placing them in their social, cultural, philosophical, and historical contexts.
Essential Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills (10 ECTS)
The aim of this subject is to teach students the attributes and foundation skills necessary to work and understand their role in areas of practice such as Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Timetables
Dublin Main Campus
This course is scheduled to commence September 2025 at Griffith College Dublin Main Campus, and will run over 8 Mondays (Online) and 4 Saturdays* (On Campus).
Classes will be delivered on Mondays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, course dates outlined below.
Year 2025
Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Cork
This course is scheduled to commence Monday, 24th of February 2025 at Griffith College Cork Campus, and will run over 8 Mondays (Online) and 4 Saturdays* (On Campus).
Classes will be delivered on Mondays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, course dates outlined below.
Year 2025
- Feb: 24
- Mar: 03, 08*, 10, 22*, 24, 31
- Apr: 05*, 07, 12*, 14, 28
Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Limerick
This course is scheduled to commence Monday, 24th of February 2025 at Griffith College Limerick Campus, and will run over 8 Mondays (Online) and 4 Saturdays* (On Campus).
Classes will be delivered on Mondays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, course dates outlined below.
Year 2025
- Feb: 24
- Mar: 03, 08*, 10, 22*, 24, 31
- Apr: 05*, 07, 12*, 14, 28
Please contact [email protected] for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete the Programme are outlined below:
- All applicants must be over 18 years of age.
- Applicants will be required to have basic IT literacy, skills, and competence,
- For non-native speakers of English, a C score in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or an equivalent IELTS score of 6.0 is required.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the application form and upload copies of the relevant documentation.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin Main Campus
€1000.00
Limerick Campus
€1000.00
Cork Campus
€1000.00
This includes a 2% PEL levy.
Flexible Payment Options
Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact [email protected]
Students who opt for an instalment plan will incur an extra annual fee of €150 to avail of this facility.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to [email protected]
All fees are fully protected under our Protection of Enrolled Learners’ Policy:
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
Progression
Graduates of the Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice course are eligible to advance to progress to any of the Level 8 BA (Hons) programmes in the field of:
- Counselling Skills & Psychotherapy Studies,
- Counselling Skills & Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies
- Counselling Skills & Psychotherapy with Youth Studies.
Career Progression
Graduates of the Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice will have a good basis for professional progression in the counselling sector while they will have developed key life skills that can be applied freely to other professions.