Courses starting January 2027
Your journey into counselling starts here...
Whether you're beginning with counselling skills or progressing towards professional practice, we'll help you understand the training pathway that's right for you.
ACE Learning Experience
ACE is committed to providing a nurturing learning environment in which students can develop
Learning to become a counsellor can be challenging, rewarding and personally transformative. At ACE, we aim to create a learning environment where students feel heard, valued, supported and appropriately challenged.
Our classrooms reflect the principles and ethical qualities that we encourage students to bring to their developing therapeutic relationships.
Respect • Empathy • Authenticity • Curiosity • Difference • Reflection • Accountability
Students are encouraged to participate actively in their learning, developing the confidence to ask questions, reflect on their experiences and think critically about counselling practice.
A Relational - Person-Centred Approach as Our Foundation
The quality of the therapeutic relationship lies at the heart of effective counselling. Our educational philosophy is underpinned by the Person-Centred Approach (PCA), a humanistic philosophy that places the client at the centre of therapeutic work.
Students are encouraged to develop a sound understanding of counselling theory alongside the capacity to work relationally, ethically and reflectively with clients.
As students progress through their training, they are supported in developing a deeper understanding of therapeutic practice and their emerging professional identity as counsellors.
At advanced levels, this provides a foundation from which students can explore wider therapeutic perspectives and develop an informed, coherent approach to their practice.
Registrations Open
Counselling Courses starting from January 2027
Online Level 3 (CST-L3) Counselling Studies
Starting January 2027 / Online / LIVE Interactive and Engaging throughout the sessional day. Approx 6 month duration. Saturday / all-day / Fortnightly
Level 4 (TC-L4) BACP Approved (APQ)
Starting from January 2027 at the following locations: SE London / Winchester. Next course starting at University of Winchester / Sundays / all-day / Fortnightly
Why choose ACE
Specialist counselling education
Counselling isn't simply one subject amongst many at ACE, it is at the heart of what we do. We don't simply prepare students to achieve a qualification, we work together to develop knowledge and skills for the responsibilities of therapeutic practice.
Learn through experience
Counselling cannot be learnt from textbooks alone. Skills practice, experiential exercises, reflection and personal development are integral to our training
Develop the person of the counsellor
Understanding yourself is fundamental to understanding how you relate therapeutically to others
Ethical practice from the beginning
Ethics isn't treated as a separate subject. Ethical awareness, professional responsibility and accountability are embedded throughout training
Experienced qualified counsellors / educators
Students learn with Tutors who understand both therapeutic practice and the particular demands involved in becoming a qualified counsellor
A clear professional pathway
Whether you are exploring counselling for the first time or developing your professional practice. ACE provides opportunities to progress through nationally recognised counselling qualifications
Meet our team at ACE - Professional Counsellors and Educators
ACE Tutors bring together experienced counsellors and educators who understand the personal and professional journey involved in becoming a qualified counsellor
Your journey in becoming a qualified counsellor
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
An approximate 6-month course explores counselling and develops foundational counselling skills, exploring self-awareness, communication and helping relationships. Progression to Level 3 usually starts a month after the Level 2 is completed
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Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
An approximate 6-month course prepares for practitioner training developing a deeper understanding of counselling theory, ethics, self-awareness and the therapeutic relationship.
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Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
A 2-year course representing a significant transition: from learning about counselling to training for professional therapeutic practice. Students develop their ability to integrate counselling theory, therapeutic skills, self-awareness, ethical decision-making and reflective practice while undertaking supervised work with clients. Our approach maintains a strong Person-Centred Approach foundation combined with an integration of a Pluralistic Approach while encouraging students to develop an informed and coherent understanding of advanced therapeutic practice. This Approved Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) and preferred BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification (APQ) pathway is integral to the course
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Qualified Practice
Begin your professional journey as a qualified therapeutic counsellor and continue developing through supervision, reflective practice and continuing professional development.
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Advanced Professional Development
Continue developing specialist therapeutic knowledge and professional competence through further training.
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Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision
Develop the knowledge, relational capacity and professional judgement required to supervise other counselling practitioners
About CPCAB Ofqual Regulated Accredited Qualifications
CPCAB is the UK's leading counselling awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales
