Diploma in Adolescent and Schools Counselling
The Diploma in Adolescent and Schools Counselling is a one-year, post-qualification programme designed to equip practising counsellors and psychotherapists with the skills, knowledge, and professional confidence needed to work therapeutically with young people in school and youth settings. The course explores safeguarding, ethics, child and adolescent development, school systems, and supervision, blending seminars, experiential learning, and collaborative group work to support professional refinement and development.
Course Philosophy / Field of Study
The programme is rooted in reflexive and ethical practice, emphasising sensitivity, responsiveness, and inclusivity in therapeutic work with young people. It supports practitioners to navigate the particular challenges of adolescence and school environments with confidence and care, and to contribute positively to the wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Modules (Unit by Unit)
The programme consists of seven units:
-
Complexities of the School Setting: Mediating the cultures of counselling and schooling
-
Safeguarding, Ethics, Best Practice, and Reflexive Practice: Including assessment, referral systems, and waiting list management
-
Child and Adolescent Development, Attachment, and Neuroplasticity: Including exploration of early experiences, family, and school
-
Intersectional Identity in Adolescent Counselling
-
Research and Evaluation, Adolescent Process: Understanding ‘tenuous contact’
-
Service Development and Systemic Responsiveness: Engagement with whole-school systems and wider initiatives
-
Interest Areas, Student Presentations, and Endings
Teaching Methods
Teaching is experiential and practice-focused, using seminars, practical exercises, presentations, and discussion. Each module integrates group supervision, supporting students to apply learning to their work with young people. The programme benefits from the expertise of tutors and the lived professional experience of participants, creating rich, reflective dialogue.
Assessment Methods
Students complete a series of assessments across the seven modules, including written assignments, reflective work, and group or individual presentations that draw on real or case-based counselling experiences.
Clinical / Placement Information
Students must complete 60 hours of supervised counselling with young people in a school or youth counselling agency during or after the training year. Some opportunities may be available through Metanoia Institute’s school-based counselling service, Here4You.
Career Pathways
Graduates commonly progress into roles such as school counsellor, youth counselling practitioner, specialist adolescent therapist, or continue into further CPD or formal training in child and adolescent psychotherapy.
Training Options
This one-year, part-time diploma is delivered entirely online through live teaching sessions. Running from October to April, the programme is structured around seven units integrating seminars, experiential exercises, and group supervision. Students are supported to complete their required 60 supervised counselling hours during or following the training year. The annual October intake and online delivery model make the programme accessible alongside ongoing professional commitments.
Contacts
Head of Programme: Dr Peter Pearce – peter.pearce@metanoia.ac.uk
Academic Co-ordinator: ado-schools-admin@metanoia.ac.uk
This programme is designed as continuing professional development for experienced practitioners working therapeutically with young people or within educational environments. It requires an existing clinical qualification and professional experience.
If you have previously trained with us please use your student portal log in details.
For more information about the application process, please visit our Frequently asked Questions page.
Course Summary
- Field of Study: Adolescent Counselling
- Duration: 1 year part time
- Start Dates: September 2026
- Teaching Institution: Metanoia Institute
- Entry Requirements:
- Applicants must have completed a full professional counselling or psychotherapy training to at least Diploma level. They must also provide evidence that they are working towards BACP Counsellor/Psychotherapist accreditation or an equivalent professional status.
- For students whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component) is required unless you have a prior higher education qualification taught in English. We also offer a supportive process to establish equivalencies in qualifications or experience (APL/APEL).
- Location:Online
Fees for 2026/2027
- £1,150