Program Overview

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Certificate in Foundational Skills & Competence in Counselling & Psychotherapy

Overview

This course is an introduction to the world of counselling and psychotherapy, offering participants the opportunity to explore this growing profession in Ireland. It serves as an excellent introduction to the area of counselling and teaches general counselling skills that will benefit people in both their personal and professional lives.

Why study Certificate in Foundational Skills & Competence in Counselling & Psychotherapy at Griffith College?

• Students gain practical experience as well as theoretical understanding of the area of counselling which they can later apply both personally and professionally.
• Classes are conducted on a part-time basis, comprising of one evening a week for 12 weeks.
• Small class sizes ensure that you get the one-on-one attention needed to perfect your counselling skills.
• Graduates can apply for further higher-level studies in the field.
• Successful Students will gain 20 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications

Course Highlights

• Taught through Blended Learning
• Benchmarked against European Association of Counselling Training Standards (2015)
• Designed for learners who wish to develop their counselling and psychotherapy skills for both personal and professional development.
• Successful completion of this programme means the participant will have completed 20 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - October 2025
• Limerick - Part-Time - October 2025
• Cork - Part-Time - October 2025
• Dublin - Part-Time - February 2026
• Limerick - Part-Time - February 2026
• Cork - Part-Time - February 2026

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Certificate in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice
• Certificate in Essential Counselling Skills

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Course Details

Participants take two modules to complete this programme

Theoretical Perspectives in Counselling & Psychotherapy (10 ECTS)

The aim of this module is to introduce a range of theories central to counselling and psychotherapy placing them in their social, cultural, philosophical, and historical contexts.

Essential Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills (10 ECTS)

The aim of this subject is to teach students the attributes and foundation skills necessary to work and understand their role in areas of practice such as Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Timetables

Dublin Main Campus

This course is scheduled to commence October 2025 at Griffith College Dublin Main Campus, and will run over 8 Mondays (Online) and 4 Saturdays* (On Campus).

Classes will be delivered on Mondays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, course dates outlined below.

Year 2025

• Oct: 04, 06, 13, 18, 20
• Nov: 08, 10, 17, 29
• Dec: 01, 08, 15

Cork

This course is scheduled to commence October 2025 at Griffith College Cork Campus, and will run over 8 Mondays (Online) and 4 Saturdays* (On Campus).

Classes will be delivered on Mondays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, course dates outlined below.

Year 2025

• Oct: 04, 06, 13, 18, 20
• Nov: 08, 10, 17, 29
• Dec: 01, 08, 15

Limerick

This course is scheduled to commence October February 2025 at Griffith College Limerick Campus, and will run over 8 Mondays (Online) and 4 Saturdays* (On Campus).

Classes will be delivered on Mondays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, course dates outlined below.

Year 2025

• Oct: 04, 06, 13, 18, 20
• Nov: 08, 10, 17, 29
• Dec: 01, 08, 15

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete the Programme are outlined below:

• All applicants must be over 18 years of age.
• Applicants will be required to have basic IT literacy, skills, and competence,
• For non-native speakers of English, a C score in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or an equivalent IELTS score of 6.0 is required.

Fees

Tuition Fees

Study Mode: Part-Time

Dublin Main Campus

€1000.00

Limerick Campus

€1000.00

Cork Campus

€1000.00

This includes a 2% PEL levy.

Flexible Payment Options

Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact

Students who opt for an instalment plan will incur an extra annual fee of €150 to avail of this facility.

Progression

Graduates of the Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice course are eligible to advance to progress to any of the Level 8 BA (Hons) programmes in the field of:

• Counselling Skills & Psychotherapy Studies
• Counselling Skills & Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies
• Counselling Skills & Psychotherapy with Youth Studies.

Career Progression

Graduates of the Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice will have a good basis for professional progression in the counselling sector while they will have developed key life skills that can be applied freely to other professions.