N E Essex Psychologies is an independent training centre based in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.... All courses are accredited, CLASS-BASED and held in small groups with skills practice development and tutor support throughout.  Classes are NOT delivered online, via blended learning or through workbook activities; ensuring a fully supported and interactive training experience for everyone.   The Skills & Education Group Awards (SEG) has developed a recognised structure for approved counsellor training programmes for over 20 years.  All are regulated by Ofqual for knowledge, skills and competency and are fully recognised by the counselling profession. 

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"These courses represent a personal journey of self-discovery alongside actual skills development.  The Centre Manager  / Core Tutor is a practising Counsellor and Psychotherapist.... a qualified and experienced FE Tutor and Assessor for Internal Quality Assurance over many years, as well as being an Independent Clinician for Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews in liaison with Essex County Council and NHS England.  She puts a strong emphasis on self-awareness, lateral thinking and personal development throughout"   ​

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Course fees are competitively priced and fully inclusive of registration and final certification; there are NO hidden costs.  ​​

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** Applications now open for 2025 **

 

LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA in COUNSELLING SKILLS

Regulated Qualification Number:  600/0632/8

Next start date:  SEPTEMBER 2025 - JUNE 2026 

5.30pm - 9.30pm - (Wednesday evenings; term time only)

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The Level 3 Diploma is for anyone wanting to progress towards qualified counsellor status or for continuous professional development (CPD) training in a similar sector area.  Theoretical understanding and skills practice development make it an excellent foundation for progression onto the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.  It is also a ​prerequisite for acceptance onto the Level 4 Diploma course, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification obtained elsewhere.

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There are 5 mandatory units in all: 

• Developing Counselling Skills

• Theoretical Approaches in the Use of Counselling Skills

• Counselling Skills and Diversity

• Working Ethically with Counselling Skills

• Counselling Skills and Personal Development

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The course includes an in-depth analysis of  main three psychological theories; Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Theory as well as examining Integrative models; learning how each have evolved over time as well as looking at strengths and limitations.  Unlike a Certificate qualification at the same level offered elsewhere, the Diploma includes aspects of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework; equality and diversity, personal and people development, interventions and treatment as well as developing more advanced skills practice sessions throughout the academic year.   

 

You will also learn more about the different use of counselling skills within a range of other sector areas.... including:  Coaching; Criminal Justice; Guidance; Health Education; Mental Health; Teaching; Mentoring and Educational Support; Nursing and Healthcare; Family Liaison and Youth Offending. 

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There are no external examinations.  Instead, you will be supported to complete a "portfolio of evidence" as part of the course based upon experiential learning and subject criteria discussed in class; regularly monitored and / or assessed by the Centre Manager, as well as by Internal and External Quality Assurers.

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A Level 2 qualification is preferable but not essential, as you will be fully supported throughout the course.

If you have been told elsewhere to take an Introduction or Level 2 course first however - please note, neither are a mandatory requirement.​

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Course Fee - 2025/2026:  £1,650

 

Deposit:  £150 - followed by one of the following:

 

A single payment of £1,500;

Three interest-free instalments of £500; or 

Regular monthly payments throughout the academic year​

Please note:   the Advanced Learner Loan is NOT available.

 

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LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA in THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

Regulated Qualification Number:  603/5029/5

Next start date:  SEPTEMBER 2025  - JUNE 2027

10am - 4.30pm (Fortnightly - on a Saturday; term time only)

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The Level 4 Diploma is a 2-year course which explores and encourages a deeper level of theoretical understanding, self awareness and reflective practice.  When combined with the Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills, it meets the ESSENTIAL training contact hours for professional recognition. 

 

There are 7 mandatory units in all: 

• Professional Organisational Issues in Counselling

• Counselling a Diverse Society

• Counselling Theory

• Advanced Counselling Skills

• Self-Awareness for Counsellors

• Research Methodologies in Counselling

• Counselling Placement

 

Four of these units are covered in the first year.  The second year covers the three remaining units, including an externally assessed and supervised 100-hour counselling placement alongside an analysis / evaluation of how theory and supervision have influenced practice development.  There are no external examinations.  Instead, submission of a final placement e-portfolio will be via SEG's online ATOM system towards the end of Year 2 for external assessment.  

 

Although there are no additional course fees, standard requirements include between 12 - 20 sessions of individual personal therapy to aid practice development, student membership of a professional counselling organisation prior to commencing placement and supervision costs while on placement.  It is therefore important to be aware of these commitments prior to enrolling upon the SEG Level 4 Diploma, although all will be discussed at length during the interview phase and beforehand for those transitioning from Level 3.

 

Preparation for a counselling placement will be delivered throughout the course, with a particular emphasis during the second year to ensure readiness for the Unit 7 external assessment.​  Upon successfully achieving the SEG Level 4 Diploma, learners can register as fully qualified members of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and / or an alternative membership organisation.

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Course Fee - 2025/2027:  £2,050 per year

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Deposit:  £500 - followed by:

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Four interest-free instalments of £900, or

Regular monthly payments over two academic years​​​​​

Please note:   the Advanced Learner Loan is NOT available.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION....

Please be aware of any learning provider / centre which:

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a)  Offers cheap / free counselling courses online; these are NOT recognised within the profession due to lack of skills practice development and workbook activities with minimal tutor feedback / support;

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b)  Claims BACP are a "governing body".  BACP is a widely publicised membership organisation ONLY.... and NOT a governing or regulatory body as students are often (mis)led to believe.  To date however, BACP have  declined to issue a public statement to clarify their position when asked to do so in an open letter to membership organisations.  Please see the pdf. links below:

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b)  Claims a course or training route will lead to BACP accreditation (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy).  No course at any level ANYWHERE leads to individual BACP accreditation; advertisements for courses and training routes sold on this basis are hugely misleading and often ridiculously over-priced.  All it means is - you can join BACP once qualified without taking their multiple choice test first.  That's absolutely all it means;

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c)  Cannot (or fails to) address any of your concerns re. SCoPEd or has never heard of it.  SCoPEd is only a framework approved (February 2023) by a cohort of membership organisations.  It is NOT however a regulatory framework for counselling practice. 

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d)  Insists you must take an Introduction to Counselling course first.  Not necessary and usually a waste of time.  

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e)  Claims their own courses are the ONLY way to become a qualified counsellor.  Totally false information.  

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f)  Tells you to repeat a class-based counselling qualification you already have because it's with a different awarding body or was taken too long ago.  False information once again.

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g)  Expects students to mark their own work against course criteria and standards or, fails to give regular constructive written feedback.  Unprofessional teaching practice.

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h) Provides no visual handouts to support learning.  No differentiation.

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i)  Claims a course is "equivalent to" a recognised qualification and a "certificate of achievement" will be awarded.  What this means is.... there is NO accrediting awarding body, NO approved training centre and the courses themselves are NOT actual qualifications.

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All of the above are examples of questionable / unethical teaching, completely misleading information and / or, appalling unprofessional practice.  If you have any queries at all about any of the above, please get in touch.  

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HOW TO APPLY / PAYMENT OPTIONS

Please complete the Contact Form at the end of this page and if a place is available, an Application Form and short Pre-Course Assessment will be emailed to you for completion and return.  If you prefer these forms to be posted to your home address instead, please provide details and this will be arranged.

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Once your completed forms have been returned, you will be invited to meet with myself; Mari Bezer (Centre Manager), for an informal chat to discuss the course and answer any questions you may have.  Once accepted onto the course, a non-refundable deposit will then be required to secure your place, as detailed above.  A further payment will be required shortly before the start; either in full or part-payment, as arranged.  Payment options include BACS transfer, debit / credit card via PayPal or in some cases, cash payments in person, where a formal receipt will be issued immediately.  

 

The Advanced Learner Loan however is NOT available to independent training centres

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