Welcome to Academy of Counselling Studies

We are dedicated to shaping the future of professional counsellors and we strive to do this through a holistic approach blended with experiential learning, creative exploration and personal development.

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Why Academy of Counselling Studies?

Expert Training

At Academy of Counselling Studies, we are passionate about delivering high-quality, accessible, and affordable training to individuals seeking a rewarding career in the counselling profession. You'll be guided by our team of dedicated tutors who are qualified and experienced practising counsellors. They will bring real-world insights and expertise into the classroom, creating a rich and engaging learning experience.

Quality Checked & Accredited Courses

Based in the heart of South Wales, we offer a number of quality checked & accredited counselling courses, developed and provided by Thoros Centre for Therapy Learning and accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

Ongoing Support

Whether you're looking to start your journey or advance your career in counselling, our supportive and welcoming environment ensures that you receive the best training to meet your goals. Join us at Academy of Counselling Studies and take the first step towards making a difference in people’s lives.

Our Courses

Combined Level 2/3 Counselling
Introduction to Counselling Skills

Perfect for beginners, these courses provide essential counselling skills and theoretical knowledge.

  • Basic counselling techniques
  • Communication skills
  • Ethical considerations
  • Self-awareness development
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Level 5 Counselling
Advanced Counselling Practice

Comprehensive training for those seeking to become professional counsellors.

  • Advanced therapeutic approaches
  • Clinical practice hours
  • Supervision and mentoring
  • Professional registration pathway
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Levels 2/3

Perfect Starting Point for Your Counselling Journey

Our Level 2 and 3 courses provide the essential foundation for anyone interested in counselling and helping others.

Combined Level 2 First and L3 Next Steps to Counselling

We are delighted to be offering a new combined L2/L3 course. This course combines L2 (First) and L3 (Next) Steps to Counselling courses over one academic year!

The first part of the course (First Steps) will begin looking at the basics of the counselling profession, foundation listening skills and personal self awareness and development. The next part of the course (Next Steps) will build on the skills learnt and will include how to structure a counselling session, intermediate counselling skills, ethics in counselling, developing on counsellor self awareness and introduction to counselling approaches.

The course is tutor led in an informal setting and involves group interaction, skills practice, experiential group work and creativity for self-development. You will be assessed through a variety of written self reflective journals, written assignments and tutor observations.

To successfully complete the course, you will be required to:
  • Have a minimum of 80% course attendance with work completed to replace hours/days of absence
  • Completion of all assignments within a given time

Those who successfully complete the 'Next Steps' course will automatically be entitled to an interview for the Diploma in Professional Counselling. It is important to note that the 'Combined First and Next Steps' course described in this document does not qualify you as a Counsellor.

Course Investment

The total cost of the Combined Level 2 First and L3 Next Steps to Counselling is £1,500 and payment plans are available.

This course is developed and provided by the Thoros Centre for Therapy Learning and is quality checked by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

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Please contact us for more information

Level 5

Professional Qualification for Practicing Counsellors

Our Level 5 Diploma is designed for those seeking to become qualified professional counsellors with the skills to work independently.

Level 5 (equiv) Accredited Diploma in Professional Counselling

The Level 5 (equiv) Accredited Diploma in Professional Counselling is a two year part time course and is for trainee counsellors who have already achieved their Level 3 Certificate in Counselling (or equivalent) and wish to continue their journey to full qualification as a counsellor.

The diploma aims to integrate the theories and practice of Freudian and neo-Freudian psychodynamic approaches, Rogerian (and others) humanistic/person-centred approaches, combined with the use of creativity rooted in the work of Carl Jung. It is tutor led in an informal setting and involves group interactions, skills practice, experiential group work and creativity for self-development.

To successfully complete the course, you will be required to:
  • Have a minimum of 80% course attendance with work completed to replace hours/days of absence
  • Complete 40 hours of personal therapy with an appropriately qualified practitioner
  • Complete 100 hours of supervised client work beginning at the start of year two
  • Completion of all assignments within a given time
Course Investment

The cost of the Level 5 (equiv) Accredited Diploma in Professional Counselling is £2,500 per year plus £80 registration fee. (Total cost of the course for the two years - £5,080). Payment plans are available.

Please note you will need to factor in other costs for personal therapy, books – 1st year, and supervision, NCPS student membership, Professional Indemnity Insurance – 2nd year only.

This course is developed and provided by the Thoros Centre for Therapy Learning and accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Application Form Enquire Now Meet Our Tutors

Please contact us for more information

News & Events

May 2025
September 2025 Applications are now open!

Apply or enquire about L2/L3 Combined Councellinog or L5 Accredited Diploma in Professional Councelling.

Posted: May 29, 2025

Meet Our Tutors

Our experienced team of qualified counsellors and educators are here to guide your learning journey.

Lou

Lou

Qualified Counsellor & Lecturer

Hi I am Lou, I am a qualified counsellor with extensive experience in workplace counselling and I also run a private practice in Cardiff working with a diverse range of presenting issues. My background includes supporting individuals through challenges such as stress, anxiety, trauma, bereavement and relationship issues.

In addition to my counselling work, I am a qualified counselling lecturer with experience in teaching counselling courses at all levels, as well as working for a local police force, offering vital support, advice, and guidance to police staff dealing with a range of mental health issues and trauma.

Beyond one-to-one counselling, I have delivered mental health courses and workshops to employers across South Wales, aiming to promote mental well-being in the workplace and empower staff with practical coping strategies. Additionally I run a bereavement course in Newport designed to help participants understand their emotions, develop coping strategies, and connect with others experiencing similar challenges, fostering healing through shared experiences.

With a person-centred approach at the heart of everything I do, I'm committed to supporting individuals and I am passionate about training the next generation of counsellors and sharing my knowledge with those entering the profession.

Workplace Counselling Trauma Support Bereavement Person-Centred
Dawn

Dawn

Qualified Counsellor & Lecturer

Hi I am Dawn, I believe that becoming a Counsellor is one of the most significant decisions a person can make in their life, the training teaches you theoretical perspectives, new skills on communication and it also teaches you so much about yourself, it can fundamentally change the way that you view yourself and others, how you relate to others and how you understand yourself and your own actions.

I feel passionate about training new Counsellors to work safely and ethically, this involves a lot of self-development as I believe that it takes a lot more than theoretical knowledge to become a professional, ethical Counsellor.

I qualified as an Integrative Counsellor from the University of South Wales in 2010, since then I have been working as a School Based Counsellor for 14 years alongside working with adults in private practice. In 2017 I qualified as an ACT therapist from Cardiff University, this has given me a fresh look at Counselling and has equipped me with a new range of skills when working with clients.

In 2018 I qualified as a Counselling Lecturer and worked within colleges delivering Counselling training across all levels, I have taught all the main theories and often included some of my passions which include creative work and ACT. In 2020 I qualified as a Cyber Therapist, this gave me the skills and understanding to work in a new way during the COVID years and these skills have developed since then allowing my practice to me both face to face and online. In 2023 I qualified as a Clinical Supervisor, this has not only given me a new role but has also enhanced my practice in many ways.

Integrative Counselling ACT Therapy School Counselling Clinical Supervision

Student Support

Our tutors provide ongoing mentorship and are available for individual consultations throughout your studies. We believe in nurturing not just professional skills, but personal growth as well.

Student Success Stories

Hear from our graduates about their transformative learning experience

Excellent. Working with Dawn was thoroughly engaging, empathic & attentive to all needs there & then as a tutor & confidante. No issues or concerns were ever dismissed, parked, downplayed or ignored. All needs were fully met in that tutor/mentor learner relationship. Working with Dawn has well & truly set me on my journey, I cannot thank her enough.

I was lucky enough to be taught by Louise for two years. I can honestly say i really enjoyed her lessons,her style of teaching was fun and no question was a silly question. Louise always brought her own experiences to class and for me that was invaluable as a student counsellor. I would recommend Louise to anyone looking for a supportive teacher who makes your counselling journey enjoyable.

Lou is a fabulous tutor, really encouraging and supportive. She's also an experienced counsellor and brings that experience and knowledge to her teaching and her students.

Louise taught me Level 3 and Level 4 counselling and did it in a way that made everything interesting and easy to learn. She is a lovely, supportive and encouraging tutor and I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting to embark on the road to becoming a qualified counsellor.

Lou is the best tutor I have ever had and I believe that it’s because of the amazing tuition, support and care that I received from Lou that I succeeded in qualifying as a counsellor. Lou is an incredibly patient teacher, there is no one size fits all in Lou’s teaching style, she 100% tailors her teaching to every individual student. Lou’s lessons are engaging and somehow even the more mundane lessons are brought to life with her interactive presentations and real working examples. The amount of time and effort Lou poured into her lessons every week to make sure we really understood was frankly staggering. We definitely felt it was more than just a job for Lou, it was her passion that enveloped us that got us through the hardest of assignments. I now run my own counselling service and I whole heartedly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without the confidence that Lou gave me. Interesting if you asked all of the other students in the class I know they would all say the same. Thank you Lou, eternally grateful 🙏

Dawn was a fantastic tutor. I’m a student (and person in general) who can be too hard on myself and worry / panic about things, but Dawn was always there to re-assure me and give me a helping hand. I will never forget Dawn’s patience when I needed her the most, she took time out to make sure I was okay and I will always appreciate that. Dawn has a way of making something that can be quite hard and difficult to understand into something fun and exciting. I’ll always be grateful for having Dawn as a tutor and couldn’t recommend her more.

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Contact Us

Get in touch with us to start your counselling journey or for any enquiries

Location

Abercynon
Mountain Ash
CF45 4SN
South Wales

Phone

01495 365877

Email

info@aocs.co.uk