Health & Social Care
HND Counselling and Applied Psychology (Integrative) - awarded by Pearson
Is this course for me?
Are you a compassionate listener with a strong sense of empathy? Do you want to build a meaningful career supporting others through counselling therapies? This course is designed for those ready to take on the emotional and professional challenges of becoming a therapeutic practitioner.
Through a blend of theory, practical training, and personal development, you'll develop the core counselling skills and self-awareness needed to work confidently in the sector — from private practice to public services.
This two-year course prepares you to meet the training requirements for professional accreditation and equips you for a wide range of careers or further study.
The course is aligned to the professional body for counsellors, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)* (*subject to approval).
In year one, you'll lay the foundation for your professional development and explore key themes in counselling and psychology. In year two, you'll deepen your knowledge, build practical experience, and focus on specialist areas of therapeutic practice.
Year 1 Modules:
• Personal and Professional Development Through Inclusive Practice
• Developing Empathic Communication for Effective Therapeutic Relationships
• Preparing for Research (Pearson set)
• Ethical Frameworks in Counselling
• Self-awareness and Reflective Practice in Counselling
• Theoretical Perspectives in Counselling
• Individual Differences
• Digital Approaches in Caring Professions
Year 2 Modules:
• Counselling Skills Development and Practice
• Working with Diverse Clients in Therapeutic Counselling
• Risk and Assessment (Pearson-set)
• Pluralistic Approaches to Counselling
• Psychodynamic Approaches to Counselling
• Person-centred Approaches to Counselling*
The modules listed in bold are core (mandatory) modules. Additional optional modules * are also included to make up the total credits required for your qualification — these are chosen by course leaders and maybe subject to change.
You'll be assessed through:
• Practical and written assignments
• Direct observation and assessment during your placement
• A learning and development portfolio
This approach helps develop professional confidence and ensures you meet the competencies expected in counselling practice.
You'll study full-time, three days a week for two academic years plus work placement on the remaining days.
You'll require the following:
• A Level 3 qualification in a related subject (e.g. Health & Social Care, T Level Mental Health, Counselling, Psychology A Level, or Access to HE)
• GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9-4 including English and Maths
• Where English is not your first language: CEFR Level B2 / IELTS 5.5 / PTE Academic 51
• A successful interview and written task
• A satisfactory DBS clearance
Once qualified, you'll meet the training requirements for professional counselling roles and may progress into:
• Independent or agency-based counselling
• Mental health coaching
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Disability or child protection support roles
Further study:
• Progress to a top-up degree (Level 6) in counselling or a related field
• Specialise further in a chosen therapeutic area or explore routes into social work
• The course is aligned with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)* (*subject to approval)
• You'll complete a placement in a setting that aligns with your interests (e.g. domestic violence, children's services, substance misuse)
• Family Welfare, based at Leigh Adult Learning Centre, guarantees interviews for placement
• Delivered by experienced counselling professionals qualified to Master's level and registered with professional bodies
• Taught in small groups with strong tutor support and personalised learning
It is important to note that there are additional costs to plan for regarding this course.
Professional Supervision (Mandatory) - Professional best practice is that Student Counsellors receive supervision of their practice during their placement. Sometimes this is available at the placement itself or sometimes it needs to be arranged separately. This is an essential part of the placement process. The cost of this can range from £45 per session. According to BACP guidelines you will require a 1 hour supervision session for every 8 hours of counselling practice. 21 supervision sessions are typically required over the 2 year programme.
Personal Therapy - It is best practice and highly advised (but not mandatory) that Student Counsellors engage with their own therapy as part of their personal development. Counsellors must be registered with a professional body such as BACP or UKCP and have at least level 4 qualifications. The cost per session can be from £50. Typically, students will have approximately 20 sessions over a 2 year programme, but this is down to individual needs.
BACP Membership - Student Membership of the BACP is also important and costs £92 per year. (fees subject to change)
Insurance - As you'll be working with real clients during placements and training, all students on this course will need to acquire their own personal insurance.
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Students aged 16-18 do not pay exam fees.
