Training & Courses
Explore Our Courses for Trainee Counsellors
At Holistically Human™, we believe counselling is about treating the whole human, not just symptoms. Our courses are taught within an integrative framework, grounded in person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, while also integrating polyvagal theory and somatic perspectives.
Thinking about becoming a counsellor?
Training as a counsellor is a meaningful step — one that asks for care, commitment, and the right foundation. In the UK, the title “counsellor” isn’t legally protected, which makes high-quality, ethical training essential.
When people come to counselling, they are often vulnerable, navigating complex emotional and relational experiences. They deserve support that is skilled, grounded, and safe.
At Holistically Human, we believe counselling is about treating the whole human, not just symptoms. Our courses are taught within an integrative framework, grounded in person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, while also integrating polyvagal theory and somatic perspectives.
This means you learn to work relationally and reflectively, while also understanding how the nervous system, the body, and lived experience shape mental health.
Our training goes beyond techniques. You’ll be supported to develop self-awareness, ethical understanding, and confidence in your therapeutic presence. By integrating mind, body, and relational approaches, you’ll gain the flexibility to meet each client as an individual — rather than trying to fit them into one way of working.
Supervised practice is a core part of our courses. Supervision provides a supportive space to reflect on client work, process emotional impact, and ensure you’re working responsibly and ethically. It’s an essential part of becoming a safe and effective counsellor, and a cornerstone of professional practice.
Our courses begin in September 2026, and places are limited. These trainings tend to fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to register your interest early to avoid missing out.
Counselling training that integrates mind, body, and nervous system
There’s a wealth of scientific, peer-reviewed research that demonstrates a very clear link between brain and body. However, this isn’t always acknowledged in the therapy space.
In fact, current counselling services and core training rarely cover Polyvagal Theory (PVT), body regulation and therapeutic practices that treat the whole human.
As a result, clients and practitioners can become very fixated on symptoms of poor mental health such as panic attacks, anxiety and depression and quick fixes such as medication to alleviate them.
A new wave of understanding is rising as our understanding of the brain and neuroscience builds and research is becoming more widely available via new media channels. People are catching on and seeking their own solutions to make use of the knowledge they are gaining.
It is no longer shaming to have counselling, moving to an accepted part of self-development, with many young adults using it as a source of growth and self-knowledge so they can live their lives fully.
However, without clear guidance the sheer volume of information available can be over-whelming, some sources are spurious, many misinterpret the information being made available without access to an expert or spend huge amounts of money in a quest of trial and error.
Our courses are designed for people who want to train as counsellors in a thoughtful, holistic, and ethically grounded way.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. What matters most is curiosity, openness, and a readiness to engage — personally as well as professionally. You may be:
- Considering a career change into counselling or psychotherapy Already working in a helping or wellbeing profession and wanting to deepen your skills
- Drawn to counselling through personal growth or lived experience, and ready to train professionally
- Looking for an integrative approach that includes relational, psychodynamic, nervous system, and body-based understanding Wanting training that values self-reflection, embodiment, and the therapeutic relationship, not just theory
Counselling training that goes beyond techniques.
Integrative
Person-centred & psychodynamic
Polyvagal & somatic informed
Our Courses for Trainee Counsellors
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
If you’re curious about counselling or want to build stronger listening and communication skills, our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills is the perfect place to start.
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Our Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies is for those who want to deepen their knowledge of counselling theory and continue their journey toward becoming a qualified counsellor.
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
This two-year diploma is the final step in your core training to become a qualified counsellor.
Why Train With Holistically Human?
At Holistically Human, we don’t train counsellors to follow scripts – we support you to develop into a present, reflective, and embodied practitioner.
When you train with us, you’ll benefit from:
- An integrative curriculum combining person-centred, psychodynamic, polyvagal, and somatic theory
- A strong emphasis on nervous system awareness and embodiment, not just cognition Training that values who you are as a practitioner, not just what you do
- A supportive learning environment that encourages depth, reflection, and ethical practice
- A holistic approach that prepares you to work with the complex realities of human experience
This is training that honours the responsibility of the role — and supports you to grow with integrity, compassion, and confidence.
Start your counselling journey on solid foundations — Level 2 & 3 start September 2026!
Places are limited and expected to fill quickly
Placements
At Holistically Human™ we understand how to turn training into careers.
This means we offer not only to help you gain the required experience to complete your course, but we also offer a range of services to support you to build a business that not only generates a source of income but that aligns with you, your values and your future.
We have a certain number of trainee placements available each year.
We aim to make your placement as enriched as possible with lots of opportunities to grow and learn whilst you work towards that all important 100 hours.
To be able to work with us you must be a member of the BACP, have gained your certificate of competence, have completed your DBS check and by the time the placement starts have completed a working online course.