Counselling Course

Diploma in Counselling Course FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions


When can I start the course?

  • You can start the course at any time: today, tomorrow or next month. Whenever is best for you.

Where can I study the course?

  • You study at home, or wherever you want. The course does not involve you being in a classroom or going to a test centre.

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?

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

  • There are no other costs or fees.

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?

  • 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.
  • Currently you may call yourself a 'Counsellor', though this may change in future years if the word becomes a controlled title.
  • If you want to be cautious, you could call yourself a Therapist (or a title such as Family Therapist, Addictions Therapist, Grief Therapist or Therapy Counsellor). You can legally practise using such titles. However this does not consititute legal advice. You should always seek qualified legal advice.

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 at the time of writing.
  • 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.