We run a range of professionally delivered counselling training courses ranging from half day seminars to fully certified qualifications, please see the details below.
This course is suitable for those who wish to learn initial listening skills in order to help other people, whether in a voluntary, church or employed setting. The course may help you to decide whether you wish to progress further and train to become a counsellor.
Our next Listening Skills course is due to take place over two weekends in February 2027, the 6th-7th and 13th-14th, from 9am to 5pm each day. The total cost of the course is £350, and the venue is Hester’s Way Community Resource Centre, Cassin Drive, Cheltenham, GL51 7SU. There is a £30 deposit; please click below if you wish to join.
“I always came to the course directly from work, often feeling empty and drained after a long day and thinking “I am too tired for this”. Every single week, however, was utterly engaging and I left feeling alive and hopeful. Nicky and Lin’s warmth and humour make the course very special.”
“A good link between personal development/awareness and the art of skilled listening. Invaluable.”
“This was both enlightening and helpful, I now have a better understanding of the value and importance of listening”
“This is an excellent course which can influence your daily life in a most positive way. It should be compulsory!”
“I didn’t realise how little I understood myself or listened to myself. I came to this course primarily because I have a passion for people and wanted to learn better how to listen, with the aim of going on to train further so I could professionally counsel others. So it was a pleasant surprise to also learn how to listen to myself.”
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2)
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3)
Accredited by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body)
A 180 hour course delivered in Gloucestershire. 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, and is the first step to becoming qualified as a counsellor. No previous training or experience is required to undertake this qualification.
These two certificates will provide a recognised qualification in Counselling Skills and Theory for those wishing to apply to local colleges/institutions in order to pursue a full counselling training to Foundation Degree or Diploma level.
We are now accepting applications for our Foundation Course starting this September. Please click here to complete the online application form, and we will be in touch about interview dates if you are successful.
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are now closed.
“In summary this course has been a life changing experience for me. I have learnt so much about myself and how I relate to others”
“I have been encouraged by the atmosphere of acceptance and warmth within the team. It has provided the right conditions to explore, practice and discover new skills and things about myself”
“I did not anticipate I would learn so much about myself. I simply thought I was not a deep person. but now I realise I just did not realise I had so many layers, so for me this is only the beginning of discovering me – the real me – and I am going to continue peeling back the layers.”
“Small group so get plenty of attention”
CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Level 4)
This course is run over two years (450 hours training) and provides professional training in counselling, through which students will acquire both a sound theoretical framework and the practitioner skills required to work safely and effectively as a counsellor within an agency setting. The course will integrate both psychodynamic and person-centred counselling theory. By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate that they can work safely, ethically and professionally with clients presenting with a range of problems.
Applications for our 2026-2028 Level 4 course are now closed.
“I have found the Diploma Course well taught and structured and I have felt supported in my development.”
“I’ve found the contrast between the two models of counselling the best. Tutors are experienced in helpful and constructive ways. Sessions are engaging and thought provoking.”
Listening Post runs a series of continual professional development sessions throughout the year for both internal and external attendees. Generally, we run four to six CPD sessions per year; watch this space for details! Our upcoming programme is:
| Date | Time | CPD | Speaker | Venue |
| 19th September 2026 | 10.00am-4.00pm | Attachment 2: Grief and Loss | Rachel Allen | Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham |
| 3rd October 2026 | 10.00am-4.00pm | Working With Trauma 1 | Margaret Landale | Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham |
| 7th November 2026 | 10.00am-4.00pm | Working With Trauma 2 | Margaret Landale | Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham |
| 14th November 2026 | 10.00am-4.00pm | Attachment 1 | Rachel Allen | Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham |
| 23rd January 2027 | 10.00am-4.00pm | Working With Trauma 3 | Margaret Landale | Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham |
For further details please click the button below.
“The day has been excellent. Very thought provoking. There has been plenty of time for questions.”
“Very useful indeed. Eye-opening. Good structure + handouts.”
“Really enjoyed the presenter’s style – clear and engaging.”
Listening Post have a portfolio of training that we are able to offer to your groups, teams, churches and organisations. If you would like Listening Post to run a course for you, tailored to your needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.