DIPLOMA
Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
(COSCA Validated, credit rated by SQA at SCQF level 11 with 88 SCQF credit points).
SMILE
Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
Welcome to the Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, working with Children, Young People and Adults.
S.M.I.L.E. Counselling & Training have set this Diploma with the aim to provide a solid foundation in the integrative approach to counselling practice. There are many counselling modalities available, however some people attending therapy are unaware of the differing modalities, and as such may not receive what is best suited to their personality, or indeed to the uniqueness of their presenting issues. At S.M.I.L.E. we train our diploma students to be proficient in the practice of several modalities with the ultimate aim being that our students on placement, or graduates, can adapt their counselling/psychotherapy practice to meet with the needs of their clients.
Unlike other Diploma courses you will be taught to work with children and young people. This means you will not have to seek a further CYP qualification as a trained counsellor. There is currently a pressing need for more trained professionals to support the mental health needs of children and young people in Scotland. This is reflected in employment opportunities in the counselling sector.
Course Details
This course is theoretically informed by Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural theories. There is an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, self-awareness, empowerment of clients, and awareness of social and cultural contexts as being at the core of therapeutic change. The final module focuses on the competences of therapeutic practice, working with children and young people. The course is COSCA Validated and has been credit rated by SQA at SCQF level 11 with 88 SCQF credit points.
2-year, part-time professional Diploma which qualifies you to work with children, young people & adults
Private Study Hours
Clinical Supervision Hours
Course Hours
Placement Hours
Course Information
The Diploma is a part-time programme, delivered over 2 years. The academic year for the course runs over a 10-month period from September to June, with breaks in line with the West Lothian Academic calendar.
Welcome to the Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, working with Children, Young People and Adults (COSCA validated, credit rated by SQA at SCQF Level 11 with 88 SCQF credit points).
S.M.I.L.E. Counselling & Training have set this Diploma with the aim to provide a solid foundation in integrative approaches to counselling practice with a special focus on working with Children and Young People. The taught counselling modalities covered are person centred, CBT and psychodynamic approaches. Our course prepares students to work with a wide range of clients, including those from various backgrounds, cultures, and communities, ensuring inclusivity and a broader understanding of therapy.
- 2 year, part-time professional Diploma which qualifies you to work with children, young people & adults
- Graduates are fully qualified to work within the Integrative Counselling approach
- Including a module on Ethics and Supervision
- Graduates recognised as qualified counsellors and are able to register with COSCA or BACP
- Our Diploma also includes online learning in Safeguarding Level 2
If you have any questions, please contact: training@smilecounselling.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Here's some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Diploma. For more indepth answers please see the Information Booklet here >
The level of the qualification shows how demanding it is. There are 12 SCQF levels, with level 1 being the least demanding (the introductory level of qualification) and level 12 the most demanding (for example, PhDs).
Our custom award has undergone SCQF levelling by SQA and has been awarded Level 11, and we maintain sole ownership of it. This equates to a post graduate diploma. This would allow you to train towards attaining Band B in SCopEd as a qualified counsellor.
This is a 2 year, part-time professional Diploma which qualifies you to work with children, young people & adults. The academic year for the course runs over a 10-month period from September to June, with breaks in line with the West Lothian Academic calendar.
The total cost is £8,250.
A non refundable £500 deposit is required to secure your place.
View the Course fees for more details.
Our Diploma stands out for its integrative therapeutic approach and its dedicated focus on working with Children and Young People (CYP).
Blending Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioural theories, the course equips students with a versatile, evidence-informed framework for practice. This integration supports a flexible, client-led approach to therapy, enabling practitioners to adapt to the needs of individuals aged 10 and above—including children, adolescents, and adults.
This course prepares students for professional roles in counselling and psychotherapy across voluntary, statutory, and private sectors, with a strong grounding in both adult and CYP practice.
It also includes Safeguarding Level 2 online training to ensure a safe and informed practice environment.
Validated by COSCA and awarded by the SQA, our Diploma offers a comprehensive and progressive pathway into the profession.
Apart from your course fee costs please be aware that you will have additional costs to take into account. These will include supervision, personal therapy/personal development,
books and resources, membership fees for COSCA and personal liability insurance.
We have an approved list of clinical supervisors for our students, and they will typically charge between £40-£50 per supervision. Your ratio of client hours to supervision is 1 hour
to every 6 sessions. Personal therapy can cost from £40+ for each session with a minimum of 16 hours personal therapy suggested. Currently, the COSCA student membership is £10
(1st Year of training) and then £28.00 (2024 price).
If for any reason you are absent and miss a significant proportion of any module which results in you having to retake this module of then please note that there will be an
additional cost to take into account such as delivery of training, group supervision costs (not including individual supervision which is separate), 1-2-1’s with personal tutor, marking of assignments and any associated administrative costs.
If you complete all your academic hours but do not complete your 100 clinical hours by the end of Year 2 there will be an additional cost of £65 per month to administer your clinical
practice which includes personal tutor time, supervisory checks, placement hours and
recording, monitoring and administration.
There will be an additional cost if you choose to attend your Graduation Ceremony. These will be reviewed annually.
A 10-month payment plan is available for our course fees to help spread the cost over each year [more information on this can be found on our website]
ENROL TODAY
For further information on the training options that we provide please contact us using the button below