COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills
Delivered by trauma specialists in The Atholl Academy
The COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills is a professionally recognised training programme for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of counselling skills, develop self‑awareness, and learn how to support others safely and compassionately.
Whether you’re beginning your journey toward becoming a counsellor or you work in a role where people turn to you for support, this course offers a powerful foundation in relational, trauma‑aware practice delivered and led by the framework of the COSCA certificate programme.
About Trauma Healing Together (THT)
Trauma Healing Together is a Scottish charity based in Perth, working with people across Scotland who have experienced psychological trauma. We provide therapy, wellbeing groups, training, and opportunities for lived‑experience involvement in research and service design.
Our COSCA Certificate sits within The Atholl Academy, our innovative triple‑pathway training model for individuals, professionals, and organisations. You’ll be learning with a team who understand trauma, value lived experience and prioritise emotional safety in every aspect of teaching.
This course is ideal for:
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People beginning their journey toward counselling or psychotherapy
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Professionals in helping roles: social care, education, NHS, HR, mental health, voluntary sector
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Anyone seeking to strengthen communication, empathy, and relational skills
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Individuals interested in personal development and self‑awareness
Many students go on to complete a Diploma in Counselling. In future, THT plans to develop and offer our own Diploma in Trauma which, once fully validated and up and running, will offer our COSCA students a clear pathway towards becoming qualified trauma counsellors and psychotherapists and so watch this space!
Other people simply want to use the skills from the certificate to enhance their current roles or deepen their understanding of themselves and others. Please note- completing the COSCA Certificate does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor; rather it is the first step in the training pathway and a subsequent two year part time or one year full time Diploma is required for qualification.
Who Is This Course For?
What You’ll Learn on the COSCA with THT
The course is structured around four modules, each containing skills practice, knowledge, and self‑awareness work:
Module 1 — Listening
Presence, empathy, attunement, and the foundations of therapeutic communication.
Module 2 — Responding
Safe, sensitive, and effective ways of responding within a counselling framework.
Module 3 — Self‑Reflection
Exploring your own patterns, triggers, and emotional responses.
Module 4 — Integration
Bringing skills together and applying them in real‑world contexts.
You’ll also be introduced to a range of counselling approaches, including person‑centred, psychodynamic, humanistic, and CBT.
Emotional Wellbeing & Safety
This is an experiential course. You will draw on your own life experiences during skills practice, and emotional safety is central to our approach.
We ask applicants to consider whether this is the right time for emotionally demanding training — particularly if you have recently experienced significant trauma or loss. If you’re unsure, you can contact our COSCA training manager for a supportive conversation.
Course Structure & Commitment
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Four modules
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30 hours of formal instruction per module
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Weekly classes (online)
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Minimum 85% attendance required by COSCA
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Approx. 2 hours of additional weekly study
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Skills practice, written work, and reflective presentations
No formal qualifications are required and lived experience is very much valued. The informal chat post application will be an opportunity for us to focus on how your experiences have shaped your motivation to study the certificate and provide the grounding for a sound application.
Safety and Course Structure
Fees and Application
Course Fees
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£1,400 total
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Payable in four instalments of £350 per module
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Employer‑funded places available
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SAAS funding expected (details to follow)
A non‑refundable deposit of £150 applies to secure your place.
Application Process
Applications are submitted via our online form. You’ll be asked to reflect on:
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Your understanding of counselling skills
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Why you want to join the course
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Your personal qualities
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Any relevant experience
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Your emotional readiness for experiential learning
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Any recent or significant trauma that may affect your engagement
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The support you have in place alongside other commitments
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal chat where we can hear a little more about you and your experiences, and you can also find out about THT and what we offer our students.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities or additional support needs and will work with you to ensure appropriate adjustments.
The deadline for applications is the 31st of August.
Policies & Standards
As a COSCA‑validated provider, we follow COSCA’s standards for:
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Data protection
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Ethical practice
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Complaints handling
Links to relevant policies are provided during induction in the initial session.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
If you’re looking for a meaningful, supportive, and professionally recognised training experience, we would love to welcome you to the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills at Trauma Healing Together.
Apply now or contact us at contact@traumahealingtogether.org for more information. Similarly, if you would like to have a chat, send an email to contact@traumahealingtogether.org and the COSCA trainer will be in touch to answer any questions you might have.
We’re excited to welcome you to our lovely team and look forward to hearing from you very soon.