Embark on a transformative journey with the Certificate in Therapeutic Skills and Studies (Introductory Course) at Metanoia Institute. This online programme, designed for individuals like you who are contemplating a career in counselling and psychotherapy, offers an engaging entry point into the field of therapeutic practice. It will also benefit anyone wishing to enhance their interpersonal skills in their work, for example, nursing, social work, youth work and teaching. Delivered online, our programme provides the flexibility you need to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills and Studies will introduce you to counselling theory and support you in developing foundational therapeutic skills.
The certificate aims to provide students:
During the course participants will be introduced to the history and roots of counselling, its value base and core concepts. We will draw, in particular, on basic ideas from the major counselling and psychotherapy approaches that are studied at Metanoia, namely Gestalt, Humanistic, Integrative, Person-Centred, and Transactional Analysis. We will ask straightforward questions about these approaches, for example where did they come from, and what are their similarities and differences? We will identify what the conditions desirable are in counselling and what might bring about healing and change; why do people change and how does this come about in counselling?
The aim in the first half of the course is to provide a learning opportunity for participants to thoroughly familiarise themselves with the foundations or nuts and bolts of therapeutic skills. In the second half of the course, we will take a deeper look at the therapeutic process itself. As such the course is adaptable and will take into account the interests and needs of the group. Learning will be through group discussion, personal experience, exercises, presentations and didactic teaching.
The certificate is a stand-alone, basic skills award, issued by Metanoia Institute. We deliver the course interactively online (Zoom) and offer the 60 hour course over several different durations – usually 10-weeks (1 day a week) 20 weeks (one evening a week) and an intensive 2-week format over the summer. Intakes are rolling throughout the year.
Thursday evenings – from April 2026
Delivered online via Zoom
Giovanna Reitano – 6:30pm – 9:30pm
April: 2 April / 9 April / 16 April / 23 April / 30 April
May: 7 May / 14 May / 21 May / 28 May
June: 4 June / 18 June / 25 June
July: 2 July / 9 July / 23 July / 30 July
August: 6 August / 13 August / 20 August / 27 August
Tuesdays – from April 2026
10 days
Delivered online via Zoom
Indira Muneesamy – 10am – 5pm
21 April / 28 April
5 May / 12 May / 19 May
2 June / 9 June / 16 June / 23 June / 30 June
Wednesdays – from April 2026
10 days
Delivered online via Zoom
Indira Muneesamy – 10am – 5pm
22 April / 29 April
6 May / 13 May / 20 May
3 June / 10 June / 17 June / 24 June
1 July
Summer Intensive – July 2026
10am – 5pm – various days
Indira Muneesamy – online via Zoom
Monday 6 July / Tuesday 7 July / Wednesday 8 July
Monday 13 July / Tuesday 14 July / Wednesday 15 July
Tuesday 21 July / Wednesday 22 July
Tuesday 28 July / Wednesday 29 July
Provides foundational understanding and practical skills for those wishing to progress to formal counselling or psychotherapy training, or to enhance interpersonal skills in professional settings.
No formal entry requirements. This is an open-access course.
Language Requirements:
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet Metanoia Institute’s English language requirements for undergraduate applicants. IELTS or equivalent qualifications are accepted as outlined in the Institute’s admissions criteria. For specific requirements and accepted scores, please refer to the Metanoia Institute website.
At Metanoia, we are committed to empowering the next generation of professionals in counselling and psychotherapy. This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and achieve your career aspirations in a supportive learning environment.
Click the button below coresponding to the dates you would like, to begin your application: