Certificate in Counselling Skills (Level 3) / City Lit
Reference request
Thank you for agreeing to act as a referee. A copy of the course information is
attached below to familiarise you with the course content and training requirements.
In your reference, would you please comment on the applicant’s:
1. attendance on and commitment to the introductory course (tutor referee ONLY)
2. ability to benefit from and contribute to group interaction
3. ability to express self verbally
4. ability to express self in writing
5. ability to engage in personal interactions with others
6. stability: ability to cope with emotional demands of counselling skills training
7. maturity: ability to take responsibility for own learning
8. ability to commit self to a one year, emotionally and intellectually demanding course and to work
through any difficulties that may arise.
You may have additional comments which would enable us to select wisely.
These references form part of the short-listing process, so it will be beneficial to the applicant if you
can submit their reference at the earliest opportunity. Shortlisting takes place throughout May.
Please e-mail your reference (with the applicant’s name in the e-mail title) to:
counsellinglevel3@citylit.ac.uk
References can also be posted to:
Susan Eldin, Counselling Administrator, City Lit, Keeley Street, London WC2 4BA
Thank you for your support
Counselling & Personal Development,
City Lit, Keeley Street, London WC2B 4BA www.citylit.ac.uk
tel: 020 7492 2530 fax: 020 7492 2735 email: counselling@citylit.ac.uk
The City Literary Institute, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England No. 2471686.
Registered office 1-10 Keeley Street, London WC2B 4BA. Registered Charity No. 803007
Course information
Certificate in Counselling Skills (ABC Awards) Person-Centred Approach
Sept 2014 – June 2015
30 Weeks / 145 hours
The certificate qualifies you to use counselling skills in a helping role, e.g. as a health professional, mentor,
teacher, advice worker. It does not qualify you as a counsellor, although it meets the course entry
requirements of the level 4 Diploma in Practitioner Counselling at the City Lit and diploma courses elsewhere.
This course is validated through ABC Awards. It meets Level 3 standards in the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
Who is it for?

This course is for you if you would like to develop counselling skills to enhance
your interpersonal skills at work
and/or
 would like a firm foundation from which to progress to professional counsellor training
Course structure and methodology
A typical day includes:
 counselling skills practice and/or
 experiential exercises to enhance personal awareness and understanding
 tutor input
 personal development group time
In addition, you will have three tutorials while on the course.
As far as possible, teaching methods reflect the person-centred model. You will be encouraged to take
responsibility for your learning by:
 working on your own learning objectives within the overall structure and objectives of the course
 reflecting on your own learning process in learning journals
 working within the group to build and maintain a constructive learning environment.
What commitment is required?
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Weekly attendance: students are expected to aim for 100% attendance
Time outside the course for:
- reflecting on and writing about your learning process in your journal each week
- reading
- making audio tapes of skills practice sessions
- written assignments* (theory, ethical practice, anti-discriminatory principles and practice, personal
development self-assessment reports, a case study/skills analysis of an audio-taped session)
- meeting with peer study/support group
Willingness to share personal experiences with others in the group
Willingness to work through any difficulties that may arise from experiences on a course such as this.
*If you have little formal, academic experience, or little experience of writing in English, or specific
learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia), you may need to spend additional time working on your writing and
study skills. Individual support is available for dyslexic students.
What can I expect to achieve?
By the end of the course you should be able to:
 show increased awareness of self and self in relation to other
 show increased congruence and an enhanced capacity for empathy and unconditional acceptance
 use counselling skills competently within a facilitating climate characterised by Rogers’ ‘core conditions’
 show a working understanding of the person-centred approach and an awareness of at least two other
theoretical models.
 show an understanding of the difference between working as a counsellor and using counselling skills
 use the BACP Ethical Framework to ensure safe, ethical practice when using counselling skills
 show an understanding of individual and societal discrimination and oppression, and demonstrate a
commitment to anti-oppressive, non-discriminatory practice
 recognise your own assumptions, prejudices, beliefs and values, and demonstrate respect for others’
different views and cultures
 reflect on yourself, your experiences and your interactions and use your reflective ability to further your
personal and professional development
How will I be assessed?
In the first instance, you will assess all your own work. Skills work will be assessed continuously by self,
peers and tutors. An audio taped session, case study/skills analysis and other written assignments will be
assessed by tutors and moderated by ABC Awards. Self and peer assessments play an important part in
the tutors’ final recommendation for the Certificate. Learning journals kept throughout the course, will be
used in the assessment process.
In order to gain the ABC level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, all its criteria, including a minimum
80% attendance, need to be met.
What entry requirements do I need?
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Attendance of 80% on a level 1 introductory counselling skills course of a minimum of 30 hours
(attendance certificate required), or its equivalent, e.g. counselling skills training received as part of
professional training
Ability to learn from and contribute to group interaction.
Ability to express yourself verbally and in writing.
Ability to engage in personal interactions with others.
Ability to take responsibility for your own learning.
Ability to commit yourself to the course.
Ability to cope with emotional demands of counselling skills training.
Experiential learning in a counselling skills course group can be very powerful and emotionally demanding.
If you have concerns about whether this is the right time to undertake this course or if you would like help
finding a counsellor, please discuss this with us.
Course tutors
Helene Baker: Adv Dip Counselling, Cert Supervision, Cert Couple Counselling, NCS Accredited counsellor.
Helene works as a counsellor and supervisor in private practice and as a counselling tutor. Experience includes
counselling and supervising for charities and voluntary organisations within the drugs and mental health fields, and
counselling children.
Maya Gagni: MA Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dip Counselling, PGD Dramatherapy, Certificate in Supervision, Certificate in
Trauma Therapy. BACP Accredited and HPC member. Maya works as a counsellor and supervisor in private practice, counselling
tutor and counselling coordinator. Experience includes counselling and supervision for charity within the drugs, rape and sexual
abuse and domestic violence.
Puja Hawkins: Diploma in Individual and Relationship Counselling, BACP accredited, 1-year Certificate in Group Dynamics &
Facilitation. Puja is a counsellor / psychotherapist with many years of experience. She has taught at both Introductory and Diploma
levels of counselling and is currently working in private practice and at the City Lit.
Sharon Zierler: BA (Hons), Diploma in Counselling, Grad. Cert. Ed, Cert in Group Process and Facilitation.
Sharon works as a counselling trainer and counsellor. She has also worked as a student counsellor in FE and Adult Ed and in the
voluntary sector. She has facilitated counselling training groups since 1993.
Further enquiries: Direct line: 020 7492 2530 Email: counselling@citylit.ac.uk