Perth firm’s counselling course now online

Residents in Perth will now be able to take part in an online counselling course.

Perth-based company Rowan Consultancy is set to offer an online version of its counselling and psychotherapy in Scotland certificate in counselling skills from January 2020.

It is hoped this will help to meet the growing demand from those seeking to enhance their listening skills both at work and in the home.

Module one of the course will become available online, and students will receive‘live training’on Monday evenings via the cloud platform Zoom.

Students will present online simultaneously, allowing for group discussions and skills practices in virtual breakout rooms, and students and tutors will also be able to record sessions and share documents.

Rachel Weiss, senior partner at Rowan Consultancy, hopes the online module will complement the face-to-face version of the course.

She said:“Counselling skills are underpinned by building relationships and, by now offering this course online too, we can see and hear students in live time, capturing the same behaviours, words and body language as we gauge face-to-face.

“You may get a more accurate reflection of a student’s behaviour as they can be more relaxed online than in person. Delivering the course online allows us to be even more inclusive and accessible, attracting a wider range of recruits from a broader cross-spectrum of backgrounds.”

She adds she hopes the qualification will appeal to a wide range of prospective students:“This qualification generally marks the first step in becoming a counsellor, however, we are seeing increasing numbers of students who are looking to enhance their listening skills within their day jobs.

“Our students include teachers, social workers and befrienders, as well as those simply looking to be a better friend, parent or partner.”

Open evenings for the course will be held online at https://zoom.us/ on November 11.