CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2)
The Begin Your Journey: CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills with Aspire Counselling Academy
If you've ever felt a calling to help others, explore personal development, or begin a career in mental health, the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is the perfect starting point. And there's no better place to begin than with Aspire Counselling Academy, where learning is personal, supportive, and deeply empowering.
CPCAB
What Is CPCAB Level 2?
CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) is one of the UK’s leading awarding organisations for counselling training.
The Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is an introductory course that teaches the core skills and attitudes needed to begin working effectively and ethically in a helping role.
This qualification is not about becoming a counsellor just yet—it’s about laying the foundations through active listening, empathy, reflection, and self-awareness.
CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) is one of the UK’s leading awarding organisations for counselling training.
The Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is an introductory course that teaches the core skills and attitudes needed to begin working effectively and ethically in a helping role.
This qualification is not about becoming a counsellor just yet—it’s about laying the foundations through active listening, empathy, reflection, and self-awareness.
Why train with Aspire Academy
At Aspire Counselling Academy, our CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills offers more than just an introduction—it’s a powerful first step into the world of counselling, grounded in the values of trust, growth, inclusion, and compassion.
When you begin your Level 2 journey with Aspire, you’ll experience:
Expert tutors who are qualified counselling professionals with real-world experience
A warm, supportive group environment where your voice is valued and respected
Interactive, skills-based learning that helps you build confidence in listening and communication
Flexible study options designed to work around your life, work, and commitments
A strong focus on self-awareness, equality, diversity, and ethical practice
Our Level 2 learners come from all walks of life—some are considering a career in counselling, while others work in support roles or simply want to improve their communication skills and personal insight.
No prior experience is needed—just curiosity, openness, and a desire to learn and grow.Whether you're exploring a new career path or starting a personal journey of self-development, Level 2 with Aspire provides the perfect foundation to begin.
You’ll gain valuable skills you can use in everyday life—and if you choose to continue, it prepares you for further training at Level 3 and beyond.
When you begin your Level 2 journey with Aspire, you’ll experience:
Expert tutors who are qualified counselling professionals with real-world experience
A warm, supportive group environment where your voice is valued and respected
Interactive, skills-based learning that helps you build confidence in listening and communication
Flexible study options designed to work around your life, work, and commitments
A strong focus on self-awareness, equality, diversity, and ethical practice
Our Level 2 learners come from all walks of life—some are considering a career in counselling, while others work in support roles or simply want to improve their communication skills and personal insight.
No prior experience is needed—just curiosity, openness, and a desire to learn and grow.Whether you're exploring a new career path or starting a personal journey of self-development, Level 2 with Aspire provides the perfect foundation to begin.
You’ll gain valuable skills you can use in everyday life—and if you choose to continue, it prepares you for further training at Level 3 and beyond.
Who Is It For?
What you'll learn.
What you'll learn.
Level 2 is ideal for anyone who:
Wants to explore a career in counselling
Works in people-facing roles like education, healthcare, social work, or HR
Wants to improve their personal relationships and communication skills
Is interested in personal development and emotional awareness
Has no previous counselling experience—but is curious and open to learning
You don’t need a specific background or qualification—just the willingness to listen, learn, and reflect.
What You’ll Learn
This course provides both practical and emotional insight. Key areas of study include:
Core counselling skills: active listening, reflecting, summarising, and questioning
Understanding the counselling relationship and its boundaries
Developing empathy and unconditional positive regard
The importance of self-awareness and personal development
Introduction to ethical frameworks and safe practice
Working with diversity and respecting individual difference
Training includes a mix of classroom teaching, group discussions, skills practice, role-play, reflective journaling, and written assignments.
Wants to explore a career in counselling
Works in people-facing roles like education, healthcare, social work, or HR
Wants to improve their personal relationships and communication skills
Is interested in personal development and emotional awareness
Has no previous counselling experience—but is curious and open to learning
You don’t need a specific background or qualification—just the willingness to listen, learn, and reflect.
What You’ll Learn
This course provides both practical and emotional insight. Key areas of study include:
Core counselling skills: active listening, reflecting, summarising, and questioning
Understanding the counselling relationship and its boundaries
Developing empathy and unconditional positive regard
The importance of self-awareness and personal development
Introduction to ethical frameworks and safe practice
Working with diversity and respecting individual difference
Training includes a mix of classroom teaching, group discussions, skills practice, role-play, reflective journaling, and written assignments.
What Makes Level 2 So Valuable
What Makes Level 2 So Valuable
Level 2 is often described as a life-changing experience.
Many students discover that the skills they learn apply far beyond the classroom.
You’ll begin to understand not just how to support others more effectively, but also how your own experiences, values, and emotions shape the way you communicate and relate to others.
It's not therapy—but it can be very therapeutic.
Level 2 is often described as a life-changing experience.
Many students discover that the skills they learn apply far beyond the classroom.
You’ll begin to understand not just how to support others more effectively, but also how your own experiences, values, and emotions shape the way you communicate and relate to others.
It's not therapy—but it can be very therapeutic.
What Comes Next?
Successfully completing CPCAB Level 2 opens the door to Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, where you begin to explore counselling theory and deepen your practice. For many, Level 2 confirms that counselling is more than just an interest—it’s a calling.
Final Thoughts
The CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is more than just a course—it’s a step toward becoming a more empathetic, aware, and connected human being.
Whether you continue all the way to becoming a qualified counsellor or simply use these skills in your daily life, Level 2 is an investment in yourself—and in your ability to make a difference.
If you’re ready to begin your counselling journey, this is where it starts.
Final Thoughts
The CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is more than just a course—it’s a step toward becoming a more empathetic, aware, and connected human being.
Whether you continue all the way to becoming a qualified counsellor or simply use these skills in your daily life, Level 2 is an investment in yourself—and in your ability to make a difference.
If you’re ready to begin your counselling journey, this is where it starts.
Testimonials
Key Information for Level 2
Purpose of Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
This qualification is designed to give learners the underpinning knowledge, skills and competencies to use counselling skills ethically and safely in a variety of contexts and roles.
This qualification is for:
It provides additional skills for those already in employment likely to lead to increased opportunities for promotion and advancement.
This qualification is for:
- Those starting the first level of training as a professional counsellor
- Those who want to learn counselling skills in other professional or helping roles
- Those who want to improve their professional and personal relationships as part of personal development
It provides additional skills for those already in employment likely to lead to increased opportunities for promotion and advancement.
Entry requirements
No previous training or experience is required to undertake this qualification
Industry recognised qualification
This qualification has been given NCPS Recognised Qualification CPCAB CSK-L2 status by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).This qualification has been assessed and deemed to have met the standards expected for introduction level training for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
This qualification forms an important part of a progression route in counselling training, but on its own, it does not allow a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor, gain entry to an Accredited Register or refer to themselves as ‘a specialist’ in the subject matter unless they have other qualifications/training to support this.
Qualification information
Qualification Number:
500/7938/4
Guided Learning Hours:
90 hours (minimum)
Total Qualification Time:
170 hours
Credit value:
17
Minimum age:
18 years
500/7938/4
Guided Learning Hours:
90 hours (minimum)
Total Qualification Time:
170 hours
Credit value:
17
Minimum age:
18 years
Course Payments
All course can be paid in full or by monthly payments
ONLINE & CLASSROOM BASED (EVENINGS)
Level 2 course fee is £700
This includes all CPCAB registration fees
Initial deposit of £199.50
followed by monthly payments of £71.50 (x 7 payments)
Payable by monthly invoice or bank transfer
ONLINE & CLASSROOM BASED (EVENINGS)
Level 2 course fee is £700
This includes all CPCAB registration fees
Initial deposit of £199.50
followed by monthly payments of £71.50 (x 7 payments)
Payable by monthly invoice or bank transfer
Course Dates
Level 2 CLASSROOM - EVENINGS
Date: 19/1/26 6pm - 9:30pm Location Suite 2, Church Walk House, Basildon, Essex, SS14 IJG Price:£700
Level 2 - ONLINE EVENINGS
Date: 19/1/26 6- 9:30PM Location Online Event Price:£700
application forms
Application Form for ONLINE courses
Please download our application form to register your interest in enrolling onto one of our online courses. Please email completed application form to: Courses@Aspirecounsellingacademy.co.uk
Application form for CLASSROOM course
Please download this form if you are applying to learn one of our courses through being in the classroom (in person learning) based at Arnhem House, Bentalls, Basildon, SS14 3BX Please email completed application form to: Courses@Aspirecounsellingacademy.co.uk
Recommended Book
Counselling Skills and Studies Paperback – 21 May 2024
by Fiona Ballantine Dykes (Author), Traci Postings (Author), Barry Kopp (Author), Anthony Crouch (Author)
Are you taking the first steps towards becoming a professional counsellor?
This practical guide will provide you with the ideal introduction, showing you what helping and counselling is all about.
Part 1: Counselling Skills will introduce readers to the underpinning knowledge and practical tools needed to develop a range of helping skills for use in a variety of helping roles, showing what it means to work safely and ethically.
Part 2: Counselling Studies will help them take their understanding further by considering in detail important theories and professional issues, preparing them to work as a professional counsellor.
Part 3: Counselling Study Skills will offer practical advice and hints and tips to help them make the best start on their counselling portfolio, including journal and essay writing skills, research skills and how to get inspired and overcome blocks to learning.
The Third Edition includes new content on counselling skills competencies; working with diverse client groups; online counselling; new case studies, tips and activities.
Amazon Link - https://amzn.eu/d/7Noms6z
by Fiona Ballantine Dykes (Author), Traci Postings (Author), Barry Kopp (Author), Anthony Crouch (Author)
Are you taking the first steps towards becoming a professional counsellor?
This practical guide will provide you with the ideal introduction, showing you what helping and counselling is all about.
Part 1: Counselling Skills will introduce readers to the underpinning knowledge and practical tools needed to develop a range of helping skills for use in a variety of helping roles, showing what it means to work safely and ethically.
Part 2: Counselling Studies will help them take their understanding further by considering in detail important theories and professional issues, preparing them to work as a professional counsellor.
Part 3: Counselling Study Skills will offer practical advice and hints and tips to help them make the best start on their counselling portfolio, including journal and essay writing skills, research skills and how to get inspired and overcome blocks to learning.
The Third Edition includes new content on counselling skills competencies; working with diverse client groups; online counselling; new case studies, tips and activities.
Amazon Link - https://amzn.eu/d/7Noms6z
