Counselling Skills for Non-Counsellors: CPD Workshop for Aspiring Practitioners and Support Workers
You don’t have to be a qualified counsellor to develop essential skills that help people feel heard and supported. This practical workshop is designed for anyone in a helping role who wants to build foundational counselling skills — whether you’re a teaching assistant, support worker, volunteer, or simply someone passionate about offering better emotional support.Learn how to listen actively, communicate with empathy, and hold safe, supportive space without needing specialist qualifications.
Learning Outcomes Covered:
- The core principles of counselling skills and how they differ from therapy.
- How to use active listening, empathy, and reflective responses effectively.
- Understanding boundaries, confidentiality, and when to refer on.
- Recognising your own limits and maintaining self-care.
- Building confidence in emotional conversations
What You Will Learn:
- Practical skills for supporting people in distress or emotional need
- How to create a safe, non-judgmental space through your communication
- Strategies to manage challenging conversations without needing to “fix”
- Tools for recognising when specialist support is needed
- How to protect your own wellbeing while supporting others
Who Should Attend:
- Teaching assistants, support workers, volunteers and mentors
- Parents, carers and community members interested in helping skills
- Anyone wanting to develop confidence in emotional support conversations
- Aspiring practitioners considering counselling or therapeutic roles
