A WARM WELCOME
We are delighted to offer you a place on the upcoming Heart & Mind – Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory (Level 3). Congratulations on securing a spot on the course.
The course will run from Saturday, 4th October 2025 to Saturday, 16th May 2026, our final training day. Training days will include a combination of in-person sessions and online sessions via Zoom.
HEART & MIND CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING FROM A CHRISTIAN INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE
PAYMENTS
SECURING YOUR PLACE
To confirm and secure your place on the course, a non-refundable holding deposit of £750.00 is required within 7 days of receiving this offer. This deposit forms part of the overall course fee.
By paying the deposit, you agree to our course payment terms and refund policy. Please note that this deposit is strictly non-refundable, regardless of the reason for withdrawal. Further details on payment terms and the refund policy can be found below.
To pay the deposit please transfer £750.00 via bank transfer to the following account:
Heart and Mind Ltd
Sort Code: 09-01-29
Account Number: 17754929
Reference: Cert Course
REMAINING COURSE FEE
The remaining course fee is £1,600.00, payable by 12th September 2026 to the same bank account.
OR
Monthly Instalment Option (via Standing Order)
Alternatively, you can pay the remaining fee in four monthly instalments of £450.00 each (totaling £1,800.00).
To do so, you must set up a standing order by 12th September 2026
Once the standing order is set up, the following four monthly payments of £450.00 will be automatically collected from your account:
1st instalment of £450.00 to be paid by:
20th September, 2026
2nd instalment of £450.00 to be paid by:
20th October, 2026
3rd instalment of £450.00 to be paid by:
20th November, 2026
4th instalment of £450.00 to be paid by:
20th December, 2026
Paying by monthly instalments will mean the total course fee will amount to £2550.00 (instead of £2350.00 and if paid in full by 12th September).
Important - Late payment of your course fee or first instalment, will result in your place being reallocated and your deposit won’t be refunded
Training day 1
Sat, 4th October, 2025 - in person
Training day 2
Sat, 18th October, 2025 - online
Training day 3
Sat, 1st November, 2025 - in person
Training day 4
Sat, 15th November, 2025 - in person
Training day 5
Sat, 29th November, 2025 - online
Training day 6
Sat, 13th December, 2025 - in person
Training day 7
Sat, 10th January, 2026 - online
Training day 8
Sat, 24th January, 2026 - in person
Training day 9
Sat, 7th February, 2026 - online
Training day 10
Sat, 28th February, 2026 - in person
Training day 11
Sat, 14th March, 2026 - online
Training day 12
Sat, 21st March, 2026 - in person
Training day 13
Sat, 18th April, 2026 - online
Training day 14
Sat, 2nd May, 2026 - in person
Training day 15
Sat, 16th May, 2026 - in person
Please note: The schedule is accurate at the time of writing.
COURSE FEES
To confirm and secure your place on the course, a non-refundable holding deposit of £750.00 is required within 7 days of receiving this offer. This deposit forms part of the overall course fee.
By paying the deposit, you agree to our course payment terms and refund policy. Please note that this deposit is strictly non-refundable, regardless of the reason for withdrawal. Further details on payment terms and the refund policy can be found below.
To pay the deposit please transfer £750.00 via bank transfer to the following account:
Heart and Mind Ltd
Sort Code: 09-01-29
Account Number: 17754929
Reference: Cert Course
Remaining Course Fee
The remaining course fee is £1,600.00, payable by 12th September 2025 to the same bank account listed above.
OR
Monthly Instalment Option (via Standing Order)
Alternatively, you can pay the remaining fee in four monthly instalments of £450.00 each (totaling £1,800.00).
To do so, you must set up a standing order by 12th September 2026
Once the mandate is set up, the following four monthly payments of £450.00 will be automatically collected from your account:
1st instalment of £450.00 to be paid by: 20th September, 2025
2nd instalment of £450.00 to be paid by: 20th October, 2025
3rd instalment of £450.00 to be paid by: 20th November, 2025
4th instalment of £450.00 to be paid by: 20th December, 2025
* Paying by monthly instalments will mean the total course fee will amount to £2550.00 (instead of £2350.00 and if paid in full by 12th September).
Important - Late payment of your course fee or first instalment, will result in your place being reallocated and your deposit won’t be refunded
You pay your course fee in full
You pay your course fee in monthly instalments
Deposit:
Your deposit is non-refundable
Deposit:
Your deposit is non-refundable
Course fee:
Refund of any course fee paid will only be considered if we receive a written withdrawal notice. The date of withdrawal shall be the date that the withdrawal notice is received. Refunds of any paid course fee will be given according to the following scale:
• Withdrawal before the fourth training day: 50% of the course fee already paid
• Withdrawal after the fourth training day: no refund
Refunds will be made by electronic bank transfer within 30 days of receipt of the withdrawal notice
Course fee:
No refunds are made at any time. Payments already made by instalments are non-refundable
REFUND POLICY
READING LIST
Listed below are some of the more useful counselling books available. There is no expectation to read them all but you may want to choose one (or two) books to begin with. Throughout the course we will be recommending further titles.
YALOM, I. (1989). Love's Executioner and other Tales of Psychotherapy. London, England: Penguin Books (Thought provoking case studies from a well-known existential therapist. Well recommended. – secular book)
COLLINS, G. R. (2007). Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide (3rd ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson (A classic – a resource book well worth having on your counselling bookshelf)
TAN, S. (2011) Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective. Baker Publishing Group. (A substantial resource book to counselling, written from a Christian perspective)
MCLEOD, J. (2003). An Introduction to Counselling. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press (No easy read but a very helpful resource for your counselling studies – secular book)
We will provide you with additional information a bit closer to the beginning of your course. Again, our congratulations to securing a place and we look forward to having you on board. The Heart & Mind Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory (Level 3) is a tailored made course, accredited by CPCAB. It offers an introduction to counselling, underpinned by a Christian worldview - providing a unique opportunity to study a professionally recognised course from an integrative Christian perspective.
This foundational counselling training is the first part of our CPCAB accredited psychotherapeutic training programme, offering students an introduction to a number of current treatment methods available, teaches the core counselling skills needed to support others sensitively and ethically, and provides an overview to some of the psychological issues commonly encountered when counselling (E.g. loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse and eating disorders).
KEY INFORMATION
Qualification level: Level 3
Duration: 15 training days / part-time
Hours: 100 guided learning hours (GLH)
Course day: 15 Saturdays (blend of online and face-to-face)
Time: 09.00 - 16.40
Location: Heart & Mind
Oasis Academy, South Bank
77 Westminster Bridge Rd
London SE1 7HA
Interviews: Applications will be considered upon submission with certificate course interviews scheduled in July, August and September. Early application is strongly recommended as courses tend to fill up well in advance of the start dates.
COURSE LOCATION
London Waterloo (9-minute walk)
Lambeth North - Bakerloo Line (1minute walk)
“The certificate course exceeded my expectations on every level.
Not only am I being trained to be a professional counsellor, but I am enjoying fellowship with committed colleague students. I am enjoying the challenge of the academic input and encouraged to ‘rise’ to an extraordinary opportunity.”
NEXT CERTIFICATE COURSE
The next certificate course is scheduled to take place over 15 Saturday training days from October 2026 to May 2027
“I came with so many questions to the Heart and Mind certificate course, not knowing where it would take me. Now reflecting on the last 6 months I am leaving feeling enriched, hopeful and affirmed on this journey that I am embarking on.”
COURSE FEES
Total course fees: £2350.00*
Price includes VAT
Please note: Heart and Mind training courses don't qualify for government student finances (student loans).
If accepted on the course, we will ask you to pay a deposit fee of £750.00 to reserve your place. The non-refundable deposit fee is part of the overall course fees and payable within 7 days of receiving the offer letter.
The remaining course fee of £1600.00 is due by 1st September, 2026
There is an option to pay the remaining course fee in 4 monthly direct debit instalments of £450.00 each:
1st instalment - 20th September
2nd instalment -20th October
3rd instalment - 20th November
4th instalment - 20th December
Paying by monthly instalments will mean the total course cost will amount to £2550.00 (instead of £2350.00 and if paid in full by 1st September).
*The total course fees include the Training Handbook and the registration fee with the validating body CPCAB
TRAINING DAYS
Course delivery includes a mix in person training days at our training venue in London and online training days via Zoom.
Course dates for our October 2026 intake will be published here in due course
Sat, 4th October, 2025
Sat, 18th October, 2025
Sat, 1st November, 2025
Sat, 15th November, 2025
Sat, 29th November, 2025
Sat, 13th December, 2025
Sat, 10th January, 2026
Sat, 24th January, 2026
Sat, 7th February, 2026
Sat, 28th February, 2026
Sat, 14th March, 2026
Sat, 21st March, 2026
Sat, 18th April, 2026
Sat, 2nd May, 2026
Sat, 16th May, 2026
Mode of delivery format (in person training days and online training days) to be confirmed
“The Level 3 Counselling course has proved to be an excellent choice in my life. I had the privilege of learning from highly qualified and experienced professionals in an environment that is an example of a truly healthy community. There is a huge amount of support and care for everyone which facilitates growth both personally and professionally, and staff richly demonstrates the skills they teach. I have enjoyed every minute of this journey. ”
COURSE OVERVIEW
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
The course is ideal for anyone seeking to make the first step in training as a professional counsellor/psychotherapist or wishing to be better equipped in supporting others - in a caring profession, pastoral care or volunteer capacity.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students must be at least 18 years old, able to attain the academic standard required and have a good command of English (written and oral). During an individual interview applicants will need to demonstrate competence to study at certificate level and the willingness and capacity to develop the personal and professional qualities involved when training as a counsellor.
Good to know: Heart & Mind Certificate in Counselling (Level 3), is a tailored made training course and different to CPCAB standard Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - CST-L3. There is no requirement to have completed CPCAB Level 2 - Certificate in Counselling Skills - CSK-L2, to be considered for this course.
Students who successfully complete this course, may directly apply for our Level 5 - Heart & Mind Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling. Our certificate and diploma courses together, are sufficient, with further practice hours, to gain accreditation as a qualified counsellor / psychotherapist with the Association of Christians in Counselling (ACC) UK, and/or the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
COURSE UNITS
Counselling Skills and Process: Understanding the counselling process and using some of the essential counselling skills and strategies available.
Counselling Theory: A brief introduction to some of the current treatment methods used today such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic and Person-Centred approach etc.
Counselling and Theology: Definition and aims of counselling, how and why problems develop, key characteristics, role and responsibilities of a counsellor
Counselling Issues: A brief overview of some of the common psychological problems faced when counselling such as loss and bereavement, depression, anxiety, abuse, eating disorders, trauma, relationship, marriage, and families etc.
Ethics and Good Practice: Principles of good practice when counselling, accreditation and professional standards and the nature and use of clinical supervision.
COURSE RECOGNITION
The programme consists of 100 Guided Learning Hours and students who successfully complete this course will receive a qualification widely accepted.
The certificate course is a Level 3 training accredited with CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).
TUTORIALS AND LEARNING SUPPORT
We pride ourselves in providing a supportive learning environment. There is a high ratio of staff to students and the training team is available for tutorials to offer guidance for students needing extra help in their learning journey. A comprehensive student handbook outlining the course content, recommended reading, criteria and requirements is made available to each student.
ASSESSMENT
Over the length of the course, students are expected to complete regular course work, keep a number of learning journals, write a learning summary and an essay. A small counselling research project is intended to give a wider awareness into a counselling issue that is of particular interest to the student. It is expected that students will need to invest a minimum of 5 hours of personal study for each training day involving reading, essay writing, and assignment preparation.
“I found out about this course from a friend and after checking out the website I felt it was the course for me as the day suited my schedule, it was an integrative approach and was from a Christian perspective. Having now completed the course I can say that it has exceeded my expectations and I have learnt an enormous amount and have developed skills which will take me closer to my aim of becoming a counsellor. I will next be going on to complete the diploma course with Heart & Mind.”
TRAINING TEAM
The Heart & Mind training team has many years of experience in designing, setting up and delivering accredited professional counselling training. The certificate course is overseen by Michael A Ruegg and a training team made up of experienced counsellors and psychotherapists including Karen Leatherbarrow, Kate Snowden and Anna Lloyd. Tutors have been trained in various approaches to counselling and psychotherapy and are accredited with professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the Association of Christians in Counselling UK (ACC) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Course delivery is provided by the training team and guest lecturers who will be invited to cover specialist topics.
ATTENDANCE
To successfully complete the course, students will need to pass all assignments, complete all course work and have a minimum attendance of 80%.
PROGRESSION
After successful course completion, students may progress onto our Heart & Mind Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling (Level 5).