Counselling Courses in Exeter
The Definitive Guide
Would you like to explore the possibility of building or advancing your career in counselling?
Explore the variety of counselling courses in Exeter through our informative guide.
Whether you are a novice or an experienced professional, we have everything you need to make an informed decision about the ideal course for you.
Start taking the next step in your counselling journey today!
Counselling in Exeter
Qualifications available
Exeter course providers
Classroom vs Online
Why choose Connect?
What does counselling in Exeter look like?
So, you’re considering training as a counsellor in Exeter? Let us give you the lowdown on what counselling looks like in this charming part of the country!
As a counsellor, Exeter is a remarkable city to both live and work in. Combining a rich Roman heritage with the energy of a top-tier university city, Exeter provides a unique professional environment where tradition meets modern clinical innovation.
With a steadily growing population and an increasing regional emphasis on mental health, there is a significant and rising demand for therapeutic services across the city. This provides aspiring and qualified counsellors with a wealth of opportunities, from establishing a private practice in the city’s professional quarters to working within the NHS or the city’s robust charitable sector.
Exeter’s diverse community, ranging from its large international student body to its long-standing local residents, offers practitioners the chance to engage with a wide spectrum of backgrounds, cultures, and therapeutic needs.
Exeter is home to a deeply interconnected network of mental health services that foster a genuinely supportive professional community. The city is vibrant and welcoming, offering a high quality of life with its proximity to both the rugged beauty of Dartmoor and the stunning South Devon coastline. For a counsellor, this setting provides not only a beautiful backdrop for work but also a calming environment that supports personal wellbeing. Whether you are attending a professional development workshop at a local college or networking with peers in the historic Southernhay district, you will find that Exeter’s mental health sector is defined by collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence.
A city committed to wellbeing
Mental health has become a defining priority for Exeter and the wider Devon area. In recent years, the Exeter Health and Wellbeing Board has implemented ambitious strategies aimed at tackling health inequalities and improving emotional resilience across the city. This commitment is visible in the “Wellbeing Exeter” initiative, a partnership that connects social prescribing and community-led support to help residents lead healthier, more connected lives. This city-wide focus on early intervention and holistic care ensures that mental health remains at the forefront of local policy, creating a stable and evolving landscape for mental health professionals to thrive in.
The city is supported by a sophisticated infrastructure where the NHS, private clinics, and local charities work in tandem. A key example of this collaborative spirit is the Devon Mental Health Alliance, which brings together various organisations to streamline support and share resources. For a qualified counsellor, this means you are never working in isolation; you are part of a massive, city-wide effort to transform lives. The demand for skilled professionals is constant, especially as local authorities continue to prioritise efforts to close the gap in service provision for vulnerable groups and deprived neighbourhoods, offering you a genuine opportunity to make a lasting impact on the local community.
Opportunities and organisations in Exeter
Exeter offers an expansive range of pathways for counsellors at every stage of their career. The city’s infrastructure allows you to specialise in niche areas, such as student mental health, trauma recovery, or community-based support. Whether you want to work in a clinical NHS setting or a grassroots community hub, the variety of organisations in Exeter is impressive.
Here are a few key examples of the organisations that form the backbone of Exeter’s mental health provision:
- TALKWORKS: This is the primary NHS Talking Therapies service for Exeter, offering evidence-based treatments like CBT and counselling to adults across the city.
- The Margaret Jackson Centre: A long-standing Exeter charity that provides affordable, high-quality counselling to the local community on a sliding-scale fee basis.
- CoLab Exeter: A multi-agency innovation hub that hosts over 30 organisations, focusing on “Complex Lives” and providing integrated support for mental health, recovery, and social exclusion.
- The Moorings @ Devon: Based at Wonford House, this service offers a non-clinical safe haven for adults in emotional distress, providing a vital alternative to A&E for crisis support.
- The University of Exeter Wellbeing Services: Provides extensive clinical and therapeutic support to a student population of over 25,000, offering roles in student counselling and mental health advice.
- Iron Mill College: While primarily a training provider, they are a central pillar of the Exeter counselling community, hosting clinics and professional development events that connect local practitioners.
- Intercom Trust: A South West-based charity providing specialised counselling and support services for the LGBT+ community in Exeter and the surrounding areas.
This is only a snapshot of the opportunities available! Exeter is a city where professional growth is encouraged and where the need for compassionate, qualified counsellors continues to grow. In the following sections, we’ll explore the specific training providers in Exeter that can help you gain the qualifications needed to join this rewarding professional landscape.
What qualifications are available to me?
If Exeter sounds like the place to kickstart your career in counselling, the good news is that there are a few different options available to help you get going.
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a moment to clarify the distinction between what you need to do and should do to start working as a counsellor in Exeter.
You might be surprised to know that anyone can call themselves a counsellor and start working with clients – without any qualifications at all! Counselling isn’t yet legally regulated as a profession in this country. However, it’s important to recognise that this approach isn’t ideal.
As a counsellor, you’ll encounter complex and delicate situations, and, as such, it’s strongly advised that you undertake an appropriate qualification to ensure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to handle these effectively. Additionally, it’s worth noting that both employers and clients are increasingly seeking counsellors with qualifications accredited by professional bodies. Accreditation serves as an assurance that a counsellor has undergone rigorous training and meets specific standards.
In the Exeter area, you’ll find qualifications accredited by two prominent professional bodies for counselling in the UK. Let’s explore these two organisations in more detail.
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The BACP is the larger of the two bodies and, in fact, the largest professional body for counselling in the UK. The BACP has a reputation for upholding high ethical standards amongst its members. As such, BACP membership is a distinguishing mark that will help you to find employment and clients in the Exeter counselling market.
So, how does one become a BACP member? For this, you need to meet specific criteria – one of which is completing an approved core practitioner qualification. One example of a qualification pathway that can be used to gain BACP members is to undertake a series of CPCAB-accredited courses. We’ll use this pathway to illustrate the amount of study that is required to obtain BACP membership.
So, to qualify for BACP membership via the CPCAB qualification route, you need to have completed the:
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills – requires 170 hours of study
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies – requires 196 hours of study
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – requires 1,204 hours of study
There are a few providers that have BACP-accredited counselling courses in Exeter – we’ll get to these shortly!
The National Counselling Society (NCS)
The NCS is the other major professional body for counselling in the UK. Similar to the BACP, you are required to meet specific criteria in order to gain membership to the NCS body. There are several providers that offer NCS-accredited counselling courses in Exeter – we’ll look at these in just a moment!
At Astranti Connect, we believe BACP membership is the better option of the two. You can read why we think this in our definitive guide to counselling qualifications.
Other options
If you do not intend to work as a counsellor – perhaps you’re looking to pick up some counselling skills for another professional role or for your own personal development – then undertaking a qualification to gain membership to a professional body might feel like a bit too much!
If this is the case, there are a few more options for counselling courses in Exeter that you may wish to consider. Various organisations and individuals offer short counselling courses in Exeter, some of which provide you with a short qualification that could contribute to BACP or NCS membership in the future if you decide to study further. Others are not accredited, however, and it’s important to keep in mind that this means their quality may not have been checked by an external organisation.
Exeter counselling course providers
Exeter is a major educational hub for the South West, meaning you have access to some of the most established counselling training institutions in the country. There are many different course providers offering counselling courses in the Exeter area, and the best one for you will depend on your career goals, interests, and preferred learning style.
Let’s dive in and explore the main options available in the city.
Universities and Colleges
Traditional academic institutions in Exeter offer a variety of pathways, ranging from introductory adult education to high-level clinical research degrees.
Exeter College: As one of the UK’s leading further education colleges, Exeter College provides a highly accessible route into the profession. Their courses are primarily based at the Exeter Community Centre, offering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for adult learners. They provide a clear progression route, starting with introductory sessions and moving through to an Advanced Professional Diploma in Counselling Theory and Therapeutic Practice (Level 5). Notably, their higher-level diplomas are accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and include specialised training for working with young people.
The University of Exeter: For those interested in the clinical and research-heavy side of the profession, the University of Exeter offers world-class postgraduate programmes. Based at the Streatham Campus, their offerings include an MSc in Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Systemic Therapy), which is a qualifying programme for those wishing to become systemic psychotherapists. They also offer a Doctor of Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, ideal for those looking to reach the highest levels of clinical practice.
Specialist providers
Specialist providers focus exclusively on counselling and psychotherapy, often providing a more immersive and community-focused training experience than general colleges.
Iron Mill College: A cornerstone of therapeutic training in the West Country, Iron Mill College is located in the historic Barnfield Crescent. They are widely respected for their “Integrative” approach and offer a complete career path. This includes a BACP-accredited Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling (validated by the University of Worcester) and an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling, which is accredited by both the BACP and the NCPS. Their environment is deeply therapeutic, offering a range of post-qualifying diplomas in areas like Eating Disorders and Supervision.
Astranti Connect: Formerly known as the Devon and Cornwall Counselling Hub, we are proud of our deep roots in the local area. We specialise exclusively in CPCAB-accredited qualifications, which we believe offer the most rigorous path toward BACP membership. We provide the full suite of training from Level 2 through to Level 6. Our Exeter-based students often choose us for our small class sizes (capped at 18) and our tutors, who are all practising counsellors in the Devon region. Our training is designed to be practice-ready, ensuring you have the skills to work safely and ethically from your very first placement.
Chrysalis Courses: Similar to their presence in other cities, Chrysalis offers Level 3 and Level 5 counselling courses in the Exeter area. They are a popular choice for those interested in a combined approach, as they also offer specialised training in Hypnotherapy and Counselling.
Classroom vs Online: what should you choose?
You may have observed that some of these counselling training providers in Exeter offer a choice between online courses and traditional in-classroom courses. Now, the question arises: Which one should you opt for?
Well, unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all response to this query. Just like selecting the right qualification and training provider, the decision largely hinges on your individual situation and your counselling goals.
But let us take you through some of the key considerations to help you make your decision.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that if your goal is to become a member of a professional counselling body like the BACP or NCS, a significant portion of your training must take place in a traditional classroom setting.
To illustrate this, let’s revisit our earlier example, the CPCAB pathway to BACP membership. In this qualification pathway, the Level 2 and 3 courses are available for online study, but it’s important to note that a substantial 75% of the Level 4 course (which happens to be the most extensive of the three levels) must be conducted in person.
So, if your aim is to attain BACP or NCS membership upon completing your studies, you’ll need to choose either a blend of online and classroom-based training or opt exclusively for classroom-based instruction, based on your preference. It’s worth mentioning that some course providers do offer Level 4 courses exclusively online. However, it’s crucial to understand that these qualifications won’t make you eligible for BACP or NCS membership.
Furthermore, it’s essential to be aware that for any online courses required to meet the membership criteria of BACP and NCS, they must be delivered live via a video conferencing platform. This stipulation is in place because these professional bodies believe that students can’t acquire the necessary practical skills to become counselors through self-directed learning alone. Instead, they value interaction and practical practice with tutors and fellow students as a vital part of your learning journey.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of taking an online-only or blended online and classroom counselling course?
The benefits of online counselling courses:
- A greater degree of flexibility
- Access to courses outside of your local area
- Reduced costs
The drawbacks of online counselling courses:
- Could experience technical difficulties
- More distractions at home
- May lose some social interaction
- You need to choose the right online course carefully!
All-in-all, there isn’t a universally correct choice when it comes to selecting between classroom-only, blended, or online-only counseling courses. Your decision should be guided by your unique circumstances and preferences, aligning with the format that best serves your goals and needs.
For additional insights on this topic, you can find comprehensive information in our definitive guide to online counselling courses.
Why join a Connect course?
So, why do we think you should study with us?
We have experienced tutors
Connect tutors are all qualified counsellors with experience in teaching. Many are also practising counsellors and, when they aren’t teaching our classes, they continue to work with their own clients. Our tutors have a wealth of relevant, real-life experience and strong ties with the local counselling community.
We specialise in counselling
We have over 15 years of experience in counselling training and, unlike universities and colleges which offer a broad range of courses, our expertise and knowledge are focused on a small number of subject areas.
We are a national provider with centres across the country
If you’re not set on completing your counselling courses in Exeter, but you’d like to take part in one of our classroom counselling courses, we also have counselling hubs across the country. This also means you don’t have to be tied to one area throughout the course of your studies! We also have online options for Levels 2 and 3 and our post-qualification courses, offering additional flexibility. You can check out our full range of courses here.
We have a high Trustpilot rating
We are renowned as a high-quality training provider, as you can see from our excellent Trustpilot rating and reviews!
We have limited class sizes
Both our online and in-person courses have a maximum size of 16-18 people. This offers a great balance between plenty of tutor interaction and support and working and practising with a diverse range of people.
You will get access to our online community
We have an active online community, allowing you to learn from other students and support each other in your studies.
Our students must pass pre-course assessments
This helps to ensure our courses run as smoothly as possible, and you can rest assured that you and your fellow students are well-suited to the course.
We provide courses for Levels 2 to 6, with online options!
This means once you pass one course, you can move on to another! Completing our Levels 2, 3 and 4 courses sets you up to apply for BACP membership to become a qualified, professional counsellor.
Our Connect courses
Whether you’ve decided a classroom or online course is best for you, we have lots of course options available to suit your needs!
To study with us from Exeter, we offer Levels 2 to 4 in our Exeter Hub, or you could choose our study online options:
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Each of these courses is approved by the CPCAB, and completing the Level 4 Diploma provides a pathway to BACP membership. It also forms part of the CPCAB Open University Foundation Degree if you’d like to come away with a degree at the end of your studies.
For those seeking greater flexibility, we provide live daytime and evening online courses for Levels 2 and 3. Please remember that these levels can be pursued online but must be live sessions. However, it’s also crucial to note that the majority of Level 4 coursework must be undertaken in a traditional classroom setting to meet the qualifications required for BACP membership.
Once qualified, we also offer a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision – because why stop there?
And, if you’re looking to complete your counselling courses elsewhere, we have hubs located all over the UK! Find our full range of courses here.
Want to talk to someone about your next course options?
If you have any questions about Astranti Connect’s counselling courses in Exeter, you can have a free, no obligation 1-2-1 call with one of our Connect student advisors!
Head to your relevant course page below to book yours:
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