Training Courses

HNC Counselling

The HNC Counselling is a progressive route into counselling as a profession and is aimed at those working in, or seeking to work in, a variety of counselling contexts. You will be provided with the opportunity to explore and advance your existing knowledge and/or experience of counselling and this will be useful for those working in the sector.

The course is ideal for existing holders of a COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills, or appropriate National Units. The course provides the skills, main theoretical concepts and approaches to counselling required to develop a working knowledge of counselling ethics and boundaries.

In addition, the personal learning and development within the programme aims to develop professional awareness and enhance career development.

What will I learn?


The general aims of the qualification are to provide a coherent and progressive learning programme relevant to the needs of the counselling sector in Scotland.

The HNC Counselling course has been designed to:

  • develop transferable skills, including core skills
  • demonstrate interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others
  • develop personal effectiveness and develop critical thinking skills
  • progress within the SCQF framework and into higher education
  • provide an award for those working in the sector who wish to build on their existing knowledge and/or experience
  • encourage best practice
  • understand the main theoretical concepts and approaches to counselling and develop underpinning knowledge of counselling ethics and boundaries
  • explain and demonstrate the practice of skills using a relationship-centred model of counselling
  • explain and demonstrate personal learning and development within the course of the programme
  • provide you with counselling-specific knowledge and skills applicable to several specialist areas
  • provide you with the opportunity to progress to the HND Counselling

Subjects covered include:

  • The Three Stage Integrative Model
  • Humanistic counselling approaches
  • Behavioural and cognitive counselling approaches
  • Psychodynamic counselling approaches
  • Understanding addictive behaviours
  • Working with addictive behaviours
  • Working with substance abuse
  • Group counselling skills
  • Theory loss, grief, and bereavement
  • Graded unit

Minimum entry requirements


  • A Counselling Award at SCQF level 6 or above e.g., the SQA unit Counselling Theory for Practice: An Introduction (or equivalent counselling units/awards from other awarding bodies at SCQF Level 6)
  • Other relevant related qualifications (such as HNCs in Social Care, Health Care, Diploma in Social Work, Degree/Diploma in Nursing, etc) may be considered
  • Two supportive verifiable references

Why study HNC Counselling at The Spark?


The Spark offers a bespoke training space designed to give you the best possible experience while undertaking your HNC Counselling. As a counselling organisation our primary focus is to offer you a nurturing and healthy learning environment that will promote feelings of belonging and a sense of personal competence.

We can guarantee that by joining The Spark family you will enjoy a unique learning journey, with a focus on creativity, growth, and experiential learning. All our tutors are qualified Counsellors who have previously delivered counselling courses in further education establishments. So, join today, and continue your counselling journey with an organisation that is solely dedicated to the counselling profession and making a difference in people’s lives.

Training Dates


2025 Course Dates

Training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

DayDate
1Tuesday07 Jan 2025
2Thursday09 Jan 2025
3Tuesday14 Jan 2025
4Thursday16 Jan 2025
5Tuesday21 Jan 2025
6Thursday23 Jan 2025
7Tuesday28 Jan 2025
8Thursday30 Jan 2025
9Tuesday04 Feb 2025
10Thursday06 Feb 2025
11Tuesday11 Feb 2025
12Thursday13 Feb 2025
13Tuesday18 Feb 2025
14Thursday20 Feb 2025
15Tuesday25 Feb 2025
16Thursday27 Feb 2025
17Tuesday04 Mar 2025
18Thursday06 Mar 2025
19Tuesday11 Mar 2025
20Thursday13 Mar 2025
21Tuesday18 Mar 2025
22Thursday20 Mar 2025
23Tuesday25 Mar 2025
24Thursday27 Mar 2025
25Tuesday01 Apr 2025
26Thursday03 Apr 2025
Easter Break (2 weeks)
27Tuesday22 Apr 2025
28Thursday24 Apr 2025
29Tuesday29 Apr 2025
30Thursday01 May 2025
31Tuesday06 May 2025
32Thursday08 May 2025
33Tuesday13 May 2025
34Thursday15 May 2025
35Tuesday20 May 2025
36Thursday22 May 2025
37Tuesday27 May 2025
38Thursday29 May 2025
39Tuesday03 Jun 2025
40Thursday05 Jun 2025
41Tuesday10 Jun 2025
42Thursday12 Jun 2025
43Tuesday17 Jun 2025
44Thursday19 Jun 2025
45Tuesday24 Jun 2025
46Thursday26 Jun 2025
47Tuesday01 Jul 2025
48Thursday03 Jul 2025
49Tuesday08 Jul 2025
50Thursday10 Jul 2025
51Tuesday15 Jul 2025
52Thursday17 Jul 2025
53Tuesday22 Jul 2025
54Thursday24 Jul 2025
55Tuesday29 Jul 2025
56Thursday31 Jul 2025
57Tuesday05 Aug 2025
58Thursday07 Aug 2025
59Tuesday12 Aug 2025
60Thursday14 Aug 2025
61Tuesday19 Aug 2025
62Thursday21 Aug 2025
63Tuesday26 Aug 2025
64Thursday28 Aug 2025
65Tuesday02 Sep 2025
66Thursday04 Sep 2025
67Tuesday09 Sep 2025
68Thursday11 Sep 2025

2025 Course

Dates: 7 Jan 2025 – 11 Sep 2025
Times: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Total Cost: £1,400 Payable in 8 monthly instalments of £175

Applications close 1 Dec 2024 or when full.

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