Grounded Learning

This Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy is aimed at those who wish to progress their career as a counsellor and who have already successfully completed the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (level 8) or another similar course of this level and have an undergraduate degree or other learning experiences that allow for successful study at level 11.

 The course focuses on developing skills and knowledge to allow you to work with people in many contexts.

 Theoretical underpinnings of the course 

The theoretical underpinning of the course is one that embraces the pluralistic framework. When working pluralistically it is recognised that there is no one truth instead of a variety of plausible but mutually conflicting responses (Rescher, 1979). The optimum view for understanding behaviour is from the internal frame of reference of the individual (Rogers, 1951).  This philosophical standpoint also ensures the counsellor will be mindful of the resources the client already has to resolve their issues. 

Working with the client in this way requires the practitioner to be able to consider the diversity of ways in which each client experiences distress.  From this will come an understanding of a selection of different ways of helping them thus creating a bespoke approach based on their individual needs. The counsellor working pluralistically will create their own ‘therapeutic menu’ (McLeod, ***) and using their knowledge of evidenced-based tools and techniques from a variety of different theoretical orientations. The counsellor will utilise these in the therapeutic relationship to allow the client an opportunity to achieve their identified goals.

 The diploma programme will allow you to learn key counselling skills used in pluralistic practice. You will be given the opportunity to explore a range of theoretical approaches to counselling, such as Person Centred, Experiential, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies.  As part of your journey towards becoming a professional counsellor, you will also be required to continue to develop yourself personally and to explore and deepen your awareness of self.  As part of the learning, you will also be expected to reflect on evidence-based practice and current research in the field. Throughout the training, you will be required to consider ethical and professional issues in counselling and the impact this has on self and others.

Who is this qualification for?
This Unit has been designed as an initial qualification for those with limited or no prior
experience of planning and delivering training. It is intended for candidates with
vocational expertise or subject knowledge whose job role includes the training of
others in small group settings (minimum four, maximum seven learners) and in workrelated learning contexts. It is also suitable for those who aspire to a training role, or
who expect to have some responsibility for training as part of a future job role.
The Unit Outcomes are:
 Explain the trainer’s role in ensuring learners’ needs are met
 Prepare learning objectives, session plans and support materials to meet learner
requirements
 Deliver planned interactive training sessions and monitor the progress and
achievement of learners
 Evaluate the effectiveness of the training sessions delivered and develop own
practice