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
Online
COMMENCEMENT DATE
Start Anytime
TBD
LOCATIONS
Online
This comprehensive PCI College certificate offers a flexible, high-quality introduction to the world of mental health.
Designed for those who require a balance between academic rigour and personal flexibility, this Counselling & Psychotherapy course provides the foundational skills needed to understand the human experience. Whether you are looking for a career change or personal growth, this blended learning programme offers the essential bridge to professional practice, combining the convenience of self-directed online study with the depth of live, experiential workshops.
Who is this course for?
This programme is designed for those seeking a flexible start to their therapeutic journey. No previous experience is required, only an open mind and a commitment to personal development.
- Career Changers: Gain the essential PCI qualification required to progress toward becoming an IACP-accredited professional.
- Professionals: Teachers, HR personnel, and healthcare workers can incorporate counselling skills into their current roles.
- Personal Growth Seekers: Develop deep self-awareness and a better understanding of your own inner processes.
- Flexible Learners: Those who need to balance professional or family commitments with the requirement for high-quality, self-paced training.
What are the benefits of doing this course?
Completing this blended certificate provides more than just academic knowledge; it offers a versatile toolkit for both real-life challenges and professional environments.
- Self-Directed Learning: Study at your own pace with 12 months to complete the programme, allowing you to fit education around your life.
- TalentLMS Platform: Experience a seamless digital environment featuring:
– Clear, step-by-step progression through all modules.
– Comprehensive access to video lectures, readings, case studies, and interactive exercises.
– Efficient submission and feedback systems for assignments.
– Automated notifications to help you stay on track.
– Mobile-friendly access, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere. - Communication Mastery: Cultivate advanced active listening and reflection techniques to improve interpersonal relationships.
- Academic Progression: Secure the essential foundation required to progress to our BSc Honours Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
What will you learn?
The programme balances self-directed academic theory with live, experiential practice.
- Course Progression: Students begin with Module 1 and progress sequentially to Module 2. Once online components are complete, you will attend one experiential online weekend of workshops where theory is brought to life through practice.
- Theoretical Foundation: An introduction to the historical “forefathers and mothers” of psychotherapy and the core frameworks that guide the profession.
- Practical Counselling Skills: Developing “baseline” therapeutic tools, including active listening, empathy, and effective reflection.
- Personal Development: Exploring your unique life journey and understanding how your personal history informs your current daily life.
- Professional Insight: An overview of counselling and psychotherapy as a career and a recognised profession in Ireland.
Note on Programme Format
- Blended Learning vs. Tutor-Led: This Blended Learning Certificate and our standard Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy share the exact same programme content. The key difference is the delivery: the Blended Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy is self-directed, allowing you to study at your own pace, whereas the standard Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy is tutor-led and runs on a structured, weekly timetable.
- Completion: You have up to 12 months to complete the online component (on TalentLMS) from the day you are first given access. The required experiential weekend workshops are scheduled twice a year to accommodate different student needs, in April and November each year. If you intend to enrol on the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy, you may want to have completed the online component of the course, with a view to being done in time to attend the April workshop, so that you can apply for the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy, before applications close in July.
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. Please note that assignment grading can take up to 2 weeks. 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.
