How long does it usually take to complete the course?

The counselling course can take five months to complete. But you can do it as quickly or slowly as you want. That’s the great advantage of distance learning.

Do I need to finish the course within a certain time?

You can take as long as you want. Unlike other organisations, we don’t set any time limits.

What does the course cost?

You can find the cost of the course by clicking here.

Does the cost for the course include everything I need? Or are there any extra fees?

There are no other costs or fees.

Method of study

Do you send anything to me in the mail?

No, this is an online course.

How do I access the course online?

Once you’ve enrolled we’ll provide you with login details and the name of your tutor. And as soon as you have these details you can log straight into the system and get started on the course.

Will the course give me credits towards a degree or some other study?

No. But it will help you set up and run your own practice. And we encourage all students to continue their studies after completing the course.

Will the qualification get me a job in a hospital or school?

To get a job in a public organisation, you’ll usually need more qualifications than we can offer. Our course is designed to help you work with private clients.

Remember, the easiest way to earn a living is to work for yourself. So in the course we focus on how you can work from home as a counselor.

Are there any restrictions on me practising as a counsellor?

No. There are no restrictions.

Saqa says: “There is currently very limited or no recognition or regulation of counsellors…. There is very little consistency in standards across and within provinces in South Africa, and across different counselling contexts. Unqualified counsellors currently work in a variety of contexts often in environments where mental health professional such as psychologists and social workers are not necessarily accessible to the majority of the population”. Source: http://regqs.saqa.org.za

You may not call yourself a Registered Counsellor, or a Psychologist. These are ‘reserved titles’ controlled by HPCSA.

If you want to be very cautious, you could call yourself a Therapist (or a family therapist, addictions therapist, grief therapist etc).

Who is the AHPCSA?

AHPCSA (The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa) is a statutory health body. However there is no government control over counsellors in South Africa.

The AHPCSA legislation governs all medical and mental professionals. The legislation is primarily intended to regulate doctors and dentists, but to be absolutely safe, it would be wise to give your clients a document pointing out that you are not going to treat any medical or mental conditions.

When can I do the course?

Can I start the course at any time?
Yes.

Where can I study the course?

Is the course all from home, or do I have to go to a test centre?
It’s all from home.

What can I call myself in South Africa?

You may not call yourself a ‘Registered Counsellor’ in South Africa. Currently you may call yourself a ‘Counsellor’, though this may change in future years if the word becomes a controlled title. You may call yourself a Therapist or a Therapy Counsellor, and you can legally practise using those titles.

Do I need to be accredited or certified to become a counsellor or clinical psychologist in India?

No. There is no official certification procedure in India for counsellors or clinical psychologists. You do not need any government recognised qualification.

This is confirmed by the American Psychological Association here

It is not compulsory to obtain any special license or take qualifying examination.

But it is important to be able to demonstrate to potential clients that you have undergone formal training and gained a qualification. The certification provided by the Blackford Centre, which has been training people worldwide for over 20 years, will instil confidence in you and your clients.

Some like to get a licence from the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The RCI Act prescribes that any one delivering services to people with disability, who does not possess qualifications recognised by RCI, could be prosecuted. This relates mainly to deafness and visual impairment. We recommend that our graduates do not provide counselling to people with such disabilities unless they have got an RCI license. But most people who seek counselling are not disabled.