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Distance Learning Process

A combination of Distance and Online Learning has been proven over many years to be a particularly efficient method of learning. Above all, it is uniquely flexible and adaptable to your own personal needs and the pace and environment within which you prefer to work.

1. You enrol

You join thousands of other Institute of Counselling students enjoying all the advantages of distance/online learning. Follow the straightforward procedure shown and post or e-mail your Enrolment Application.

2. You Become A Registered Student with the College

Your details will be assessed, and a personal Tutor will be allocated to you. Within days* you will receive your first study materials, including your Assignments, and clear instructions so that you can start learning right away.

3. You Start Learning Your New Skills

Immediately, you will see why your training materials are so valuable - they are not textbooks, but specially written training manuals in PDF for easy distance/online learning. You will be asked to complete an Assignment covering the new information you have learned. You then just post or email your Assignment, which your tutor will assess and mark.

4. Your Personal Tutor Encourages And Advises

Your tutor, who will be helping you through your course, is an expert in his or her own field. Additionally tutors are also experienced in teaching and supporting by distance/online learning. Your assignment will be marked, a grade awarded, and it will be returned to you with all the comments, feedback and guidance that you will need. And if you have any specific queries or problems just ask your tutor... as often as you like throughout the course.

5. You Continue To Learn More

You will learn new skills, demonstrating your rapidly increasing knowledge of your chosen subject. As you progress, further training materials are supplied if applicable, and these build up into a valuable reference library which is yours to keep. Your Tutor will guide and encourage you throughout your course.

6. Certificate and Diploma Awards

With your pace of study attuned to your own needs, you will soon find that you have completed your course. Provided that your Assignments have received adequate grades you will be awarded your CERTIFICATE or DIPLOMA from the Institute demonstrating your proven knowledge and skills. Above all, you will have enjoyed your learning experience.

Institute of Counselling
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Certificate in CBT 2 (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
I have just completed the certificate and diploma in CBT. The resources, support and information I received along the way was fantastic. I would highly recommend the the Institute of Counselling and I will hopefully be back soon for some more studying.
Simon A, 7 days ago
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Diploma in Grief and Bereavement Counselling
Thoroughly enjoyed the course, so much so I wish to continue with further modules to gain professional qualification
Joanne O, 14 days ago
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Certificate in Grief and Bereavement
The course was very insightful. It gave me all the tools i needed to understand the reasoning behind how and why you take the approach to help the bereaved. Maria was informative with her comments.
Sarah O, 35 days ago
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Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The course was excellent I thought.
Robert P, 41 days ago
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Certificate in Christian Counselling
The Certificate in Christian Counselling has been a deeply enriching and formative experience. The course content was well-structured and thoughtfully integrated Christian principles with core counselling approaches like Carl Rogers’ person-centred model, Egan’s framework, and Gerkin’s pastoral method. Each assignment encouraged meaningful reflection and personal growth, and I felt the course struck a strong balance between theory and application. The distance learning format offered excellent flexibility, allowing me to engage with the material at my own pace while still feeling supported. Marie Murphy has been a consistently encouraging and insightful tutor. Her feedback was clear, constructive, and respectful, always delivered in a way that fostered confidence and deepened my understanding. I truly appreciated her presence throughout the course. One suggestion would be to include brief recorded introductions for each module or a short recommended reading list to support further learning. Overall, I’m very grateful for this experience and would gladly recommend it to others seeking a spiritually grounded approach to counselling.
Sebastian S, 49 days ago
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Certificate in Counselling
Really insightful course that's provided some foundational knowledge surrounding counselling skills in practice. Dr Marie Murphy was an incredibly helpful marker who always provided great feedback and insight (while always answering any questions I had). Highly recommend.
Paul W, 59 days ago
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Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
I really appreciate the support and guidance Dr Marie Murphy has given me during my studies. I really appreciated her patience and kindness since English is not my first language. She was always there to help me with assignments and gave clear and thoughtful feedback, which made the learning process so much easier and more enjoyable. Her quick responses and support kept me focused and feeling confident during the course. I’m super grateful for her help and would definitely recommend her to anyone in need of a friendly and supportive tutor!
Gabriele G, 62 days ago
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Certificate in CBT 2 (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
I really enjoyed this course even though I became very ill half way through but I was very kindly given a extra 3 months to finished the course which I’m very grateful for ,I’m really enjoying the courses and really looking forward to moving on to the next one
Rebecca R, 62 days ago
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Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
The course has been challenging and very rewarding. The tutor has been excellent! Patient, very supportive and professional in knowledge. Course content and materials very clear and concise, providing information relevant to tasks. Well worth the journey! Overall, I would rate the course excellent!
Mark H, 71 days ago
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Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Credit rated at SCQF level 8)
The course material is presented in a great and easy to understand way. The colourful pictures and diagrams enhance the course material. The content of the material was interessting and keeps one engaged without it being overwhelming, it is a great mix. It is great to have a tutor assigned to a student where one can get help and support and ask questions. I appreciated my tutor`s feedback on my assignments. And I particularly appreciated the clarifications regarding the TMA and the word count for each different section, and help to clarify the referencing system.
Caroline T, 84 days ago