Certified Counseling Training Courses – Become a Qualified Counselor

Are you passionate about helping others and considering a career in counselling?

Upside Community Services offers certified training courses that equip you with the skills and experience to support individuals facing emotional and mental health challenges. Rooted in a Christian worldview, our training provides an integrated, compassionate and faith-informed approach, ensuring you feel supported as you grow in your ability to help others. Whether you’re exploring counseling as a potential calling or ready for an in-depth training journey, we have a program designed for you.

Our courses are certified by the Council for Pastoral and Spiritual Counsellors or CPSC.

1. Foundational Counselling Course – Discover Your Potential

The Foundational Counselling Course is perfect for those who want to explore what it’s like to be a counselor before committing to further training. This course provides an introduction to counseling principles, helping attendees determine if they have a calling for this field.

Course Highlights:

✅ Understanding empathy, active listening, and effective communication
✅ Ethical considerations and boundaries in counseling
✅ Interactive exercises and role-playing scenarios
✅ Aspects of Christian belief in counselling.
✅ Differences between ‘counselling’ and ‘ministry’.
✅ Understanding the pain of rejection.
✅ Secular and Christian approaches to counselling.
✅ Counselling practice.
✅ Self – awareness.
✅A certificate of completion upon finishing the course

📅 Upcoming Course Dates:

💰 Course Cost: R2 500*
📌 Duration: 60 hours over 2 weekends

* At Upside, we believe that financial barriers shouldn’t stand in the way of those called to support others. Thanks to generous donors, we offer sponsored learning opportunities based on available funding and applicant need. If you’re passionate about counseling and require financial assistance, we encourage you to apply and explore how we can support your training journey.

Ready to take the next step?

2. Advanced Certified Counseling Course – Become a certified community Counselor

For those serious about pursuing a career in counseling, the Advanced Certified Counseling Course provides over 270 hours of intensive training, including theory and supervised practical counseling. This program ensures that you gain the expertise and confidence needed to support individuals in need.

enrollment requirement:

Successful completion of the Foundation Counselling Course.

Recognition of Prior Learning will be taken into consideration. Please contact Upside for more details.

Course Structure:

You can choose between two flexible training options:

Full-time Intensive: 4 weeks of in-depth theory followed by supervised practical counseling.
Part-time: One weekend per month over 2 years, with supervised practical counseling throughout the course.

Course Modules:

✅ Advanced counselling theories and skills
✅ Ethical and legal aspects of counseling practice
✅ Supervised practical counseling experience
✅ Crisis intervention and trauma counseling
✅ Loss, bereavement and inter-personal relationships
✅ Theology and practice of forgiveness
✅ Practice management
✅ Supervision
✅ 30 hours of supervised practical counselling

📅 Upcoming Course Dates:

💰 Course Cost: R7 500
📌 Duration: Full-time: 4 weeks + practical | Part-time: 2 years

Ready to take the next step?

Why Choose Upside for Your Counseling Training?

✔ Accredited & Recognized: Industry-relevant, high-quality training.
✔ Experienced Trainers: Learn from professionals with real-world counseling experience.
✔ Practical Experience: Supervised training to build confidence and skills.
✔ Flexible Learning Options: Full-time and part-time pathways to fit your schedule.

📩 Have Questions? Contact us today to learn more about our counseling courses and start your journey toward becoming a counselor.