Short Courses

Developed by leading academics from the School of Psychology & Counselling and industry partners, our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses will keep you up to date with client needs, industry trends, and best practices.

Online counselling: getting started

Whether you’re a counsellor, psychotherapist, or trainee, this 25-hour short course will show you how to set up and provide safe and effective online counselling. It’ll teach you how to establish remote counselling via video and/or phone and how to navigate technology, data protection, and contracting challenges, as well as explore ethical practices, assess client suitability for online therapy, manage boundaries, work safely and foster inclusivity and diversity. This course was developed by the OU in partnership with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) and aligns with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's (BACP) Online and Phone Therapy competency framework and the competencies set out in the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework. You’ll receive a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate upon successfully completing the course.

Online counselling: advancing your knowledge

This 25-hour short course equips counsellors, psychotherapists, and trainees to advance their skills in delivering effective and safe video and phone-based counselling. It provides research-informed knowledge and support, focusing on essential aspects such as establishing the therapeutic frame remotely, understanding the psychological impact of virtual environments, emotional containment, risk management, and creative techniques for engaging clients at a distance. Developed by the OU with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and approved by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), the course is designed for those with prior remote work experience or who have completed online and phone therapy training. You’ll receive a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate upon successful completion.

Advanced therapeutic relationships

Whether you’re a counsellor, psychotherapist, or trainee looking to develop an advanced understanding of the therapeutic relationship, this 25-hour short course will teach you to work effectively with it across its lifecycle. Using a meta-theoretical approach and the latest research evidence, you'll explore the unconscious and explicit elements of the therapeutic relationship. You'll gain practical skills in effectively forming, maintaining, and ending it while addressing potential challenges. The course is designed to provide knowledge and skills to evidence new practice-relevant advanced competencies aligned with the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework. You’ll receive a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate upon completing the course.

Trauma-informed counselling

Designed for counsellors, psychotherapists, and trainees, this 25-hour short course will develop your understanding of trauma and trauma-informed practice through the lens of power and safety. Aligned with the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) level B competencies, it explores key aspects of trauma, including the impact of childhood experiences and social contexts. You’ll learn about power relations, intersectionality theory, and the Power Threat Meaning Framework in relation to working with trauma. You'll discover the importance of working safely with diverse clients, managing boundaries and risk, and practicing ethical approaches when dealing with trauma. You’ll also learn about the importance and different ways of self-care and self-awareness for practitioners working with trauma. On successful completion, you’ll receive a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate.