Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy
LEVEL
Certificate
AWARD
PCI College Certificate of Attendance
COURSE STATUS
Open for Applications
DURATION
12
month(s)
Full-Time
DELIVERY
In Person
COMMENCEMENT DATE
Start Anytime
TBD
LOCATIONS
Flexible online learning to suit your schedule. Build your foundation in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
The Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy offers a flexible pathway into the world of counselling and psychotherapy.
Delivered through TalentLMS, our new learning platform, this programme combines structured online study with an interactive contact weekend, giving students both the theoretical foundation and the opportunity to practice core skills in a supportive environment.
This course is suitable for personal and professional development, or as a stepping stone for those intending to pursue a career in counselling and psychotherapy. It also meets one of the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy programme.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to:
- Explore the principles of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
- Develop greater self-awareness and interpersonal skills.
- Lay the foundation for professional training as an accredited counsellor.
- Apply counselling knowledge and skills in their personal or professional life.
What are the benefits of doing this course?
Gain a strong foundation in counselling theory and practice.
Learn in a flexible way that fits your schedule, with clear progress tracking through TalentLMS.
Develop practical skills through the experiential group workshop.
Enhance self-awareness, empathy, communication, and listening skills that can be applied in everyday life and work.
Build eligibility for progression to our BSc Honours Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
What will you learn?
Throughout the course, you will:
Explore key theories and approaches in counselling and psychotherapy.
Develop an understanding of Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioural models.
Gain practical counselling skills through interactive exercises and workshops.
Increase your awareness of personal development and reflective practice.
Apply theory to practice in a safe, tutor-led environment with structured feedback.
The course is hosted on TalentLMS, giving you:
A clear, step-by-step progression through modules.
Access to video lectures, readings, case studies, and interactive exercises.
Easy submission and feedback for assignments.
Notifications to help you stay on track.
Mobile-friendly access, so you can study anytime, anywhere.
Progression through the course:
Students begin with Module 1 and progress sequentially to Module 2. Once online components are complete, students attend one experiential online weekend of workshops where theory is brought to life through practice.
Students have up to 12 months to complete the full course from the day they are first given access. The weekend workshops are scheduled twice a year to accommodate different student needs.
Modules
The Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy is delivered as one continuous programme through TalentLMS. Content is organised step by step, allowing students to build their knowledge and skills at a steady pace.
Modules
- Personal Development
- Explore self-awareness, reflective practice, and the personal qualities needed to engage in counselling.
- Overview of Counselling Theories & Approaches
- Learn the foundations of counselling and psychotherapy, with an introduction to key thinkers and perspectives.
- Humanistic & Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
- Gain insight into two of the most widely used approaches in counselling, including their principles and techniques.
- Counselling Skills & Integration
- Develop core counselling skills, practice in a live setting, and begin to integrate theory with interpersonal work.
How the Course is Delivered
Online Learning: Lectures, readings, video demonstrations, and reflective exercises delivered via TalentLMS.
Tutor Feedback: Assignments and reflections are submitted through the platform, with structured guidance and feedback from your tutor.
Experiential Learning: One online contact weekend focused on personal development, skills practice, and group learning. (April 2026, November 2026)
Learning Experience
You will:
Progress through online content at your own pace.
Engage in reflective practice and case-based learning.
Practice core skills in a safe group environment.
Assessment & Completion
Assessment is based on reflective exercises, skills practice, and participation in the contact weekend. Students who complete the course will be awarded the Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy, which also serves as a pathway to apply for the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Eligibility
No prior knowledge of counselling & psychotherapy is required for this home study counselling course.
Applicants should feel that they possess a maturity to reflect on their own development as a person.
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.
IT Skills
System Requirements:
- Operating System
- Windows 7 or Windows 8
- Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and above
Hardware:
- 1 GHZ or faster x86 or 64-bit processor with SSE2 instruction set
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64- bit) recommended for graphics features Minimum of 3 gigabytes (GB) disk space
Browser
- Windows Internet Explorer 8, 9, or 10
- Mozilla Firefox 10 or later
- Apple Safari 5 or later
- Google Chrome 17 or later
Fees
Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy: €1060
This fee includes course material delivered online for home study, ongoing tutor support and one online weekend workshops where students explore personal development, interpersonal communication and the application of counselling theory to practice.
Online Introduction to Counselling & Psychotherapy: €715
Upgrade to the Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy: €425
Full Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy: €1060
Career Path
Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as the lives of others. People who become counsellors are genuinely interested in human behaviour and have a strong desire to help others improve their mental well-being. They are also skilled at interacting with people on a personal level while maintaining a professional relationship.
Upon completion of the Certificate Course, students will be invited to apply to our Middlesex University BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 6 FHEQ – comparable to Level 8 NFQ). The PCI College BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy is fully accredited by the IACP in all PCI College venues. You can see more information here about professional accreditation.
Today more than ever there is a massive need for trained counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland. Indeed there is increased acknowledgement of the growing need for Counsellors within the HSE, Community Primary Care Groups, Schools and the Private Sector. Our BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy ensures that you have equipped yourself with the necessary qualification and training to be recognised and effective. Once you have completed your professional training, there are many routes open to you; you may wish to set up a Private Practice, join an agency or work for an organisation such as the HSE, a School, a Charity or a State-Body.
Additional Information
To learn more about our Blended Learning Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy course read our article below.
