CPCAB Counselling Skills Training
Explore the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2), an introductory CPCAB qualification for learners developing foundational counselling skills, self-awareness and reflective practice.
About the Course
Nova Whisper Cosmos Training Centre currently offers the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2).
This is an introductory, skills-based course for learners who wish to develop foundational counselling skills within a helping role. The course supports learners in building listening and responding skills, self-awareness, reflective capacity, ethical understanding and awareness of professional boundaries.
CSK-L2 is educational in nature. It does not include client work, therapeutic practice or supervision, and successful completion does not qualify learners to practise as counsellors or psychotherapists.
What You Will Learn
Develop foundational listening and responding skills used within helping conversations.
Core Counselling Skills
Explore how counselling skills can support clearer, more respectful and human-centred communication.
Helping Role Communication
Self-Awareness and Reflection
Build reflective awareness of your own feelings, responses, values and communication patterns.
Ethical Awareness and Boundaries
Understand the importance of confidentiality, professional boundaries and responsible helping practice.
Take part in guided learning activities, skills practice, feedback and reflective study within a training environment.
Structured Skills Practice
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for learners who want to develop foundational counselling skills, deepen self-awareness and explore reflective ways of communicating and supporting others.
For learners who are new to counselling skills and would like a structured introduction to listening, reflection and helping conversations.
Beginners Exploring Counselling Skills
For people who want to better understand their own responses, communication patterns and ways of relating to others.
Learners Interested in Self-Awareness
People in Helping or Support Roles
Suitable for those working or volunteering in education, community, wellbeing, care, coaching, pastoral or other support-related settings.
Future Counselling Pathway Explorers
For learners who may be considering further counselling training and want to begin with a foundational CPCAB qualification.
Learning & Assessment
The course combines tutor-led teaching, skills practice, group discussion and reflective study. Assessment is portfolio-based and aligned with CPCAB learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Learning Activities
Tutor-led teaching
Group discussion
Skills practice and observation
Reflective journals
Written assignments
Tutor feedback
Assessment Evidence
Observed skills practice
Reflective written work
Assignments mapped to learning outcomes
Learner portfolio
Tutor assessment records
Entry Requirements
No previous counselling training or professional experience is required. Applicants should be ready to participate in reflective learning, skills practice and group-based training activities.
Aged 18 or Over
Applicants are expected to be aged 18 or above at the start of the course.
No Previous Counselling Training Required
This is an introductory qualification and is suitable for learners beginning their counselling skills training journey.
Sufficient Spoken and Written English
Learners need enough English to participate in class activities, group discussion, skills practice and written reflective work.
Willingness to Reflect and Participate
Learners should be willing to engage in self-reflection, feedback, skills practice and respectful group learning.
Respect for Confidentiality and Boundaries
Learners are expected to respect confidentiality, group agreements, professional boundaries and the educational nature of the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes, it is a CPCAB qualification in counselling skills. However, it does not qualify learners to practise as counsellors or psychotherapists.
-
No previous counselling training or professional experience is required.
-
No. All skills practice takes place within the learning environment for educational purposes only..
-
You can contact Nova Whisper Cosmos Training Centre by email or enquiry form. We may invite prospective learners to complete an application form and attend a short suitability conversation.
Next Cohort Information
Course Dates
31 October 2026 – 20 March 2027
Breaks: 19 and 26 December 2026, and 6 February 2027
Course Schedule
18 teaching Saturdays
9.00 am–3.00 pm UK time
90 Guided Learning Hours
Delivery Format
Live online delivery, including tutor-led learning, group discussion, reflective study and counselling skills practice.
Course Fee
Special Fee for the 2026 Intake
Course tuition: £995
CPCAB candidate registration fee: £185
Total programme fee: £1,180
External Volunteering Opportunities
Online Telephone Befriending with Omega
Nova offers suitable learners a structured volunteering pathway to apply for Chatterbox telephone befriending opportunities with Omega, a Community Volunteering Partner.
Learners apply independently and complete Omega’s usual application, references, DBS, safeguarding training and induction requirements. Volunteers are expected to call their matched client once a week for 26 weeks. Participation depends on successful completion of the recruitment process and suitable matching.
These are befriending volunteer roles, separate from counselling placements and supervised client work.
London Befriending with Age UK East London
Nova may introduce suitable London-based learners to community befriending volunteer opportunities with Age UK East London, a Community Volunteering Partner.
Learners apply independently and complete Age UK East London’s standard interview, reference, DBS, training and matching processes. Volunteers are expected to commit for a minimum of six months.
These opportunities provide companionship and community-support experience and are separate from counselling placements or supervised client work.
London Befriending with Share Community
Nova may signpost suitable learners to befriending volunteer opportunities with Share Community in London.
Interested learners must apply independently through Share’s usual recruitment process and meet its requirements, including references, DBS and, where applicable, overseas police checks, in-person training, safeguarding and a minimum six-month commitment.
Opportunities depend on successful matching and availability. These are befriending volunteer roles, separate from counselling placements and supervised client work.
How to Apply
Apply
Submit the online application form and short written task.
Accept your offer and make a £300 initial payment towards the £995 tuition fee.
Offer
Interview
Book a 15-minute online suitability interview via Microsoft Teams.
Decision
Receive a decision within five working days of your interview.
Enrolment
Submit the required documents and pay the remaining tuition balance.
Not Ready to Apply?
If you are interested in a future CPCAB Level 2 cohort but are not ready to submit a formal application, leave your details below.
We will contact you when information about future intakes becomes available.
This is not a formal application and does not guarantee a course place.
By submitting this form, you are asking us to contact you about future CPCAB Level 2 intakes only. We will not add you to a general marketing mailing list.