Build your confidence with a free online Level 2 Counselling Skills course. You’ll explore listening skills, communication, counselling approaches, diversity, ethics, boundaries and personal development.
This course is designed for adults who want to understand counselling skills and how they can be used safely in everyday life, work or support-focused roles. It can also be a useful first step if you are considering further counselling study.
Free for eligible learners. Certificate included on completion.
This course may be fully funded for eligible learners through the Adult Skills Fund.
Availability can depend on your location, eligibility and current funding options.
Develop counselling skills to support others in just 6–12 weeks.
Gain a nationally recognised, accredited Level 2 qualification.
Fully funded for eligible adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
Your free course is split into manageable units.
There are no exams. You will complete assessment questions based on the skills and knowledge you have gained from the course units below:
Explore the main skills used in counselling conversations, including listening, responding and building trust in a supportive interaction.
Learn about key counselling approaches and how they can inform the way counselling skills are used.
Understand why diversity, ethics, confidentiality and boundaries are important when using counselling skills.
Reflect on your own communication style, personal development and sources of support for future learning.
This free online counselling skills course introduces the knowledge and skills used in supportive conversations. You’ll explore listening, communication, counselling theories, diversity, ethics, boundaries and personal development.
The course is suitable for beginners and does not require previous counselling training. It is a good fit if you want to improve your communication skills, support CPD, build confidence in helping conversations or take an early step towards further counselling study.
You’ll study online with tutor support and complete assessment questions based on the course units. There are no exams.
On successful completion, you’ll gain a nationally recognised Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
This course is suitable for adults who want to:
Learn in confidence with support from a qualified tutor throughout the course.
Join thousands of learners in growing both professionally and personally.
Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or has emotional problems they need help with. For many adults, it may be the same or more effective than medicine.
Source: NHS
Your 3 simple steps to qualification…
You can begin your stress-free journey to qualification by completing the short form on this page.
Once submitted, we’ll instantly match you with a relevant training provider based on your location to complete your enrolment.
Enjoy a flexible and engaging learning experience through an award-winning online platform with support from a qualified tutor.
You can access first-class resources, interactive case studies, and support tools. All available on any device, anytime.
Your nationally recognised level 2 certificate proves you’ve developed essential new skills and in-depth knowledge. The qualification is accredited by either NCFE or TQUK, depending on your location.
It’s a powerful personal achievement that boosts confidence, enhances employability, supports CPD and opens the door to further study or career progression.
This course is for anyone interested in developing counselling skills for everyday life, work or further study. It could be a useful step towards:
This course does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor, therapist or mental health professional. It is designed to help you build foundational counselling skills and decide whether you want to continue into further training.
Watch recent video testimonials from our learners.
This course is fully funded for eligible learners in England through the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund.
Your course will be delivered online by one of our approved training provider partners, depending on your location.
Last year, we helped over 140,000 people enrol on free courses. Start yours today…
Enrol online in under 10 minutes…
Check Your Eligibility
*View visa restrictions
Funding isn’t available for Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Graduate visas, Sponsorship (skilled/seasonal) visas, or any visa with a study restriction.
If this applies, you won’t be eligible for funding.
Start Your Enrolment
Yes, this course is free for eligible learners. Funding is subject to eligibility, location and availability.
Yes, this is an online counselling skills course. You’ll study remotely and receive tutor support.
Yes, you’ll receive a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills when you successfully complete the course.
Yes, this is a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills. It introduces counselling skills, counselling approaches, ethics, diversity and personal development.
No, this course does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor, therapist or mental health professional. It is an introductory Level 2 counselling skills qualification.
This course can be a useful first step if you are considering further study in counselling. To become a qualified counsellor, you would usually need further training beyond Level 2.
The course covers counselling skills, counselling theories, diversity, ethics, boundaries and personal development.
No, this course is suitable for beginners. You do not need previous counselling training to apply.
No, there are no exams. You’ll complete assessment questions based on what you learn during the course.
The course usually takes 6 to 12 weeks, based on around 5 to 10 recommended study hours per week.
This course is a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills accredited by TQUK or NCFE, depending on your location. It is not a practitioner qualification and does not qualify you to join a professional counselling register as a counsellor.
It may support confidence, CPD and communication skills in care, education, wellbeing or support-focused settings. It does not guarantee employment or qualify you for a specific job role.
You can usually only take one funded course at a time. The number of courses you can take in an academic year may depend on eligibility, funding availability and provider rules.
Share the opportunity to learn for free with your network…
Learn, grow and stay connected with our latest resources delivered to your inbox…
© 2016-2026 Free Courses in England. All Rights Reserved.
The Mill Walk, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 4HL
Company Number: 13562075
VAT Number: 427986249
TQUK qualifications are delivered by The Skills Network.
This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your website experience and provide more personalised services to you, both on this website and through other media.
We won’t track your information when you visit our site. But in order to comply with your preferences, we’ll have to use just one tiny cookie so that you’re not asked to make this choice again. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
