Willows has proudly been educating counsellors for over 30 years. Uniquely, our training takes place within the vibrancy of a counselling agency environment where students gain ‘real world’ experience and insights, and benefit from Willows’s vast knowledge of issues clients bring to counselling. At Willows, we teach beyond the curriculum at all course levels so that students are suitably prepared and equipped to move forward to the next training level, and ultimately upon qualifying, are ready and able to offer an effective and ethical counselling service to their clients.
Widely recognised as a leading professional counselling training agency, Willows offers the full suite of counsellor training courses: Levels 2 and 3 certificate courses and Level 4 diploma course, Willows trains people to become professional counsellors as well as equipping others to build the knowledge, skills and resources to better support the mental health and wellbeing of colleagues and peers within their current working environments. Being highly regarded in the field of trauma, Willows has utilised its extensive experience of providing a safe, grounding counselling experience for people affected by trauma to develop and deliver postgraduate specialism training. For qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, Willows offers a year-long postgraduate diploma in trauma counselling (Level 6).
Willows consistently achieve the high standards set by industry recognised bodies such as NCPS and the awarding body for our courses, CPCAB.
Our Courses
Are you a counselling or psychotherapy lecturer, assessor or tutor? Perhaps you have valuable experience in teaching and/or training that you would like to use alongside your clinical practice? As our training offering continues to expand and develop, we are keen to speak with people who have suitable experience and a passion to shape and support the future generation of therapists. If you are interested in joining our vibrant and engaged team of counselling tutors and assessors, please get in touch.
Here are some answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about training with us
On average, it takes around 4 years to train and qualify as a counsellor when undertaking our progression route of Level 2, Level 3 and finally Level 4 course.
The minimum age for students on our Level 2 course is 18 years. Level 3 and beyond have a minimum age requirement of 19 years.
Yes! Most students complete their counselling training whilst working in a variety in a variety of roles in other fields. Students’ who progress through the higher levels of counsellor training tend to find that full time work alongside counsellor training can be difficult to manage, especially when completing the Level 4 diploma course and the associated student placement.
Yes. Our Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 courses are awarded by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) and are regulated by Ofqual.
Successful completion of our Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling course will qualify students as professional counsellors. Whist it is not a regulation, we strongly recommend that students qualifying at this level work within an organisational setting to build their clinical experience before embarking on private practice work.
Yes. Willows is also a counselling service and can support students by offering placements where students can complete their required training hours.
Looking for bespoke training?
Send us your details and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly to answer any questions you may have and to get you started with Willows counselling.
