Course Overview

Are you a good listener? Do you have what it takes to support someone through difficult times? If you’re considering a career in counselling then studying our introductory level A Taste of Counselling course online is the perfect first step.

As a society, we’re experiencing a rapid and unprecedented rise in mental health problems, with a growing number of people feeling unable to cope with life’s challenges. This has created a shortage in trained counsellors, at a time when we need to offer support to those in need.

By studying our A Taste of Counselling course online, you can be part of the solution to this widespread issue. Through engaging online materials you’ll gain an introduction to key skills, as you explore how professional counsellors approach and resolve particular situations. You’ll also reflect on the personal qualities that counselling requires.

As a counsellor your primary role is to act as an unbiased, non-judgmental facilitator who enables others to explore their feelings in a constructive way. This course offers a series of case studies, through which you can explore and reflect on how you’d respond to different scenarios, in comparison to expert advice. It provides a great introduction to this fascinating area of work and a first step towards gaining a professional qualification.

  • Distance learning that fits around you

  • 1:1 tutor support

COURSE CONTENT

Course at a glance

course format icon
Format

Online learning

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No previous knowledge required

An ability to read and write in English

course assignments icon
Assignments

3 assignments (computer-marked)

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

course resources icon
Resources

No additional set texts required

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 15 study hours, plus assignment time

course format icon
Format

Online learning

course resources icon
Resources

No additional set texts required

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

course assignments icon
Assignments

3 assignments (computer-marked)

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No previous knowledge required

An ability to read and write in English

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 15 study hours, plus assignment time

course format icon
Format

Online learning

course entry requirements icon
Entry requirements

No previous knowledge required

An ability to read and write in English

course assignments icon
Assignments

3 assignments (computer-marked)

course requirements icon
Requirements

Internet access

Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec

course resources icon
Resources

No additional set texts required

course hours icon
Hours

Learn at your own pace

Approx. 15 study hours, plus assignment time

Course content

What you’ll learn…

Unit 1

Counselling and counselling skills

  • Objectives
  • What are counselling skills?
  • What is counselling?
  • Contexts for counselling
  • Why is counselling useful?
  • Your ideas about counselling
  • Training as a counsellor
Unit 2

Focus on feelings

  • Objectives
  • Counselling as a different way of relating
  • Creating a safe framework
  • The contract
  • Trust and rapport
  • The importance of feelings as well as facts
  • How clients show feelings
  • How counsellors respond to feelings
  • Difficult feelings
Unit 3

Change – a risky business

  • Objectives
  • The nature of change
  • The need to change
  • Facing up to change
  • Counsellors as catalysts for change
  • The role of feelings in change
  • Motivation to train
SUITABILITY

Why study a taste of counselling?

If you enjoy helping others, are good at listening to and empathising with people – then our counselling courses offer a flexible way to develop your knowledge and skills in this field.

A Taste of Counselling will take you on a journey that highlights the important role of counselling in today’s society. You’ll begin by looking at why we need counselling and what objectives it aims to achieve. Then you’ll focus on the key role of feelings and how, as a counsellor, you’ll need to find different ways to relate and react to complex emotions. Finally, you’ll consider how counsellors facilitate change in order to help their clients to find a resolution.

This course is ideal if you:

  • Are considering counselling as a career and want to know more about this area.
  • Are keen to explore if you have the personal attributes needed to be a counsellor.
  • Would like to study a practical course where you use case studies to test your existing knowledge and gauge your suitability to the role.
  • Enjoy problem solving and are keen to help others.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Your next steps

Affordable study

Flexible payments and financial help

  • As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
  • NEC’s fees offer some of the best value on the market, with multi-buy options, special offers, personal discounts and affordable finance options.
  • Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
  • Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.

Visit our Fee information page or

Talk to an advisor
Tutor sitting in a breakout room with a laptop and coffee
With you every step of the way

Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor

You’ll have access to 1:1 support from your tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.

All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.

MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS
GOT A QUESTION?

Talk to one of our course advisors

Unsure whether online self-study is right for you?

Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.

  • Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
  • Or contact us today by phone or email.

We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.

Talk to a course advisor

Frequently asked questions

Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQs.

NEC offers flexible, online courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.

Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.

Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule.

Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you.

If you’re planning to apply to university, and doing this course as part of your preparation, please be aware of application deadlines.

Yes — NEC is ideal for international students.

Our team is happy to help you explore your options.

People who study A Taste of Counselling also take…

If you are thinking of a career as a counsellor, or if you are in a role where you support others, have you considered these other courses.