Counselling

Counselling is the professional practice of helping individuals work through personal difficulties, emotional distress, and psychological challenges through a structured, supportive, and confidential relationship. Drawing on psychological theory and interpersonal skill, counsellors create a safe space in which clients can explore their feelings, understand their experiences, and develop the resilience and insight to manage difficulties more effectively. Training in counselling requires not only academic knowledge of psychological theory but also the development of self-awareness and the capacity for empathetic, non-judgmental communication.

At the University of the Highlands and Islands, this two-year full-time programme provides a focused and professionally oriented education in counselling theory and practice. You will study the major therapeutic approaches and their theoretical foundations, including person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, and psychodynamic models, alongside the ethical and professional frameworks that govern counselling practice. The programme develops your practical skills through supervised practice placements, which are essential for developing the relational competencies that effective counselling requires.

The University of the Highlands and Islands serves communities across the north and islands of Scotland, and the programme reflects a commitment to making professional training accessible to students in that region.

The two-year full-time structure provides an intensive and focused route into the profession for students who are ready to commit to this level of personal and professional development.

Graduates from counselling programmes work in GP surgeries, community mental health settings, schools, universities, employee assistance programmes, voluntary organisations, and private practice. The degree also provides a foundation for further professional training or postgraduate study in counselling, psychotherapy, or related mental health fields.