Courses and Training

COSCA Counselling Skills

The COSCA Counselling Skills course is a general introduction to counselling course, aimed at individuals working or volunteering in a helping role or anyone wishing to pursue a career in counselling or psychotherapy.

COSCA Further Steps in Counselling Skills

Glasgow Council on Alcohol delivers COSCA Further Steps in Counselling Skills. Our trainers are COSCA accredited and have extensive experience within the counselling field. This COSCA course is aimed at those who have already completed the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate Course or equivalent.

COSCA Group Counselling Skills

This course will give participants the opportunity to build on their previous learning of counselling skills in a one to one setting. Primarily, it will assist participants to develop their knowledge and use of group counselling skills. The course is structured around themes and issues related to the life-span of a group, using the beginnings, middles and endings approach that will be familiar to those who completed the COSCA.

COSCA Counselling Skills - Online Condensed

Counselling Supervision

This course is aimed at counsellors with a Diploma in Counselling or counselling skills users with a COSCA Counselling Skills certificate or equivalent as their training. It is designed to equip the less experienced practitioner with a better understanding and use of supervision.

General courses

Professional Boundaries

This module aims to raise awareness for participants of the importance of appropriate professional boundaries within the workplace. The module will focus on boundaries within a framework of organisational
policies and will also ask participants to consider their own personal boundaries within the context of their role. The module explores the importance of setting expectations at the start of a working relationship and the consideration needed to work with people in an ethical and supportive way.

Learning Objectives

Recognise the different types of personal and professional boundaries.
Reflect on personal beliefs and values.
Examine general professional codes of conduct.
Consider the relevance of social media.
Analyse the use of language in professional boundaries.
Evaluate the importance of setting expectations.
Explore the subject of confidentiality.
Consider work based scenarios

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours

Cost
Individual – £35
Group – max 12 delegates – £275

Building Resilience

This module provides participants with an understanding of resilience and how people cope with adversity. The module focusses on exploring what influences and what hinders levels of resilience, before exploring the link between emotions, motivation, and energy regulation. The module includes the subject of stress in the workplace and techniques to help build resilience. The module allows for self-reflection in regard to how participants can build their own levels of resilience.

Learning Objectives

Define the meaning of resilience in the context of human psychology.
Consider the influence that genetics, environment and lived experience has on levels of resilience.
Discuss the role of emotions as a primary driver for our cognitive functioning and levels of resilience.
Recognise resilience as a trait that can be cultivated and practiced.
Appraise pre-existing levels of resilience.
Design a toolkit to support individuals find a future focus and build resilience.
Develop techniques to harness confidence and motivation.
Review ‘flexible thinking’ and reframing techniques.
Recognise stress in the workplace as both a positive and negative influence.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
Classroom based – 3 hours

Cost
Individual -£50
Group – max 12 delegates – £450

Alcohol Awareness

This module aims to increase awareness and understanding towards the facts, figures and trends associated with alcohol consumption in Scotland. The module offers an insight into alcohol units, the effects of alcohol and the associated health risks. Participants will gain a better understanding of harm reduction, drinking responsibly and improved health and wellbeing.

Learning Objectives

Evaluate the impact of alcohol consumption in Scotland.
Recognise the reasons why people drink.
Understand the calculation of alcohol units.
Analyse the effects and health risks of alcohol.
Review myths and facts about alcohol.
Consider tips and advice for drinking responsibly.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours

Cost
Individual – £35
Group – max 12 delegates – £275

Drug Awareness

This module aims to raise awareness of current trends relating to drug consumption in Scotland. The module looks at the impact drug consumption has on society before exploring the different classifications and legal considerations in Scotland. Participants will also learn about harm reduction techniques in regard to all drug group types along with knowledge of the various treatment options that are available.

Learning Objectives

Evaluate the impact of drug consumption in Scotland.
Consider the reasons why people take drugs.
Identify the main drug classifications.
Outline the legal considerations of possession and supply.
Explore harm reduction advice & guidance.
Examine various treatment options.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours
*There is an option for a bespoke course amalgamating Alcohol Awareness and Drug Awareness into one 6 hour module.

Cost
Individual – £35
Group – max 12 delegates – £275

Specialist courses

Trauma Informed Practice

This module aims to identify different types of experiences that are traumatic. The module explores the triggers that may invoke memories of traumatic experiences and how to respond to someone who is affected by trauma. The module will examine the principles of Trauma Informed Practice. Participants will be asked to consider how trauma can affect the way people feel and behave before considering various interventions and support options. Delegates may reflect on their own experiences during the course delivery and the module includes content relating to Secondary Trauma, self-care and wellbeing.

Learning Objectives

Define different types and categories of trauma.
Recognize the co-relation between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma.
Review different types of triggers that can cause re-traumatisation.
Compare episodic memories with associated emotions and behaviours.
Evaluate the physical and emotional impact on an individual who has experienced trauma.
Review the five principles of Trauma Informed Practice.
Develop an environment that is conducive to Trauma Informed Practice.
Practice techniques to reduce re-traumatisation.
Recognise self-care and wellbeing.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
Classroom based – 3 hours

Cost
Individual £60
Group – max 12 delegates – £550

Child & Adult Protection

The module will examine various categories of abuse and the signs and indicators that someone may be at risk of harm. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed so that they can respond appropriately to concerns raised about someone’s welfare and the process to follow in order to reduce that risk and safeguard their wellbeing. This training module aims to raise awareness about everyone’s responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.

Learning Objectives

Identify the different categories of abuse.
Review the legislation that covers Child & Adult Protection.
Recognise the impact of trauma caused by abuse.
Evaluate the signs and indicators that someone may be the victim of abuse.
Analyse the barriers of a victim disclosing they are being abused.
Raise awareness of the principles of safeguarding.
Review the process and principles of reporting and recording.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)
Classroom based – 3 hours

Cost
Individual £60
Group – max 12 delegates – £550

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is a popular counselling approach aimed at facilitating behavioural change. This training module aims to raise awareness regarding the spirit and principles of Motivational Interviewing and offers insight into the techniques needed to empower people to make their own decisions, set their own goals and harness energy and motivation to make significant change in their lives.

Learning Objectives

Define Motivational Interviewing as a concept and recognise the origins of MI
Review personal goals and evaluate levels of motivation as intrinsic or extrinsic.
Evaluate whether their current goals are SMART based goals.
Recognise the different stages of the Cycle of Change
Discuss the spirit of Motivational Interviewing.
Explain “resolving ambivalence” as a core principle of Motivational Interviewing by comparing a “cost benefit” analysis.
Illustrate empathy as a core principle of Motivational Interviewing and explain the difference between empathy and sympathy.
Analyse a case study and identify ambivalence.
Practice questioning techniques in order to resolve ambivalence.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 6 hours (including 1 hour lunch break)

Cost
Individual £60
Group – max 12 delegates – £550

Suicide Awareness

This module aims to give participants an introduction to the topic of suicide. The module looks at some of the facts, figures and trends that apply to Scotland before discussing some of the stigma that still surrounds this subject. Participants will also be given a opportunity to discuss the signs and indicators from someone who is feeling suicidal before looking at the dynamics of a conversation with someone who is feeling suicidal including the subjects of confidentiality and safeguarding.

Learning Objectives

Evaluate facts, figures and trends in Scotland.
Reflect on the stigma of suicide.
Recognise the signs and indicators of feeling suicidal.
Identify risk & consider confidentiality.
Establsih safeguarding and signposting protocol.
Recognise the importance of self care and wellbeing.

Format & Duration
Classroom based – 3 hours

Cost
Individual – £35
Group – max 12 delegates – £275

Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy

The Diploma course is designed for those who wish to develop their skills in a therapeutic context. This course will be delivered in a supportive learning environment for those wishing to return to learning, advance skills in the field or prepare for a career change. The course runs part time over 2 years.