Counseling courses offer valuable skills in active listening, empathy & effective communication, crucial for personal & professional development.
Exploring various counseling approaches helps tailor interventions to specific client needs, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
Continuous learning through courses can support mental health professionals in staying updated & improving practice.
Decisions, decisions!
Navigating the waters to become a counselor can be murky. Deciding which counseling course to take is like sailing a ship in the dark. Unless there is a lighthouse to show the way, who knows where you will end up?
In this article, we will highlight the best courses and degrees to consider and even mention online counseling courses to appraise.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.
Training in Counseling: Qualifications & Requirements
Before we light up your path, you have to decide what your end goal will be, as there are many options available. A few counseling categories include substance abuse, mental health, marriage and family, divorce, rehabilitation, career, school, and grief counseling.
While some countries only require a high school diploma, others may require counselors to obtain a master’s degree with clinical experience. Further, the educational program may need to be accredited by a specific governing agency.
Let’s review your training options and requirements across the globe.
Australia
In Australia, the best option is to pursue a Diploma of Counselling as an introduction to the field and entry-level roles. To be registered as a fully qualified counselor, you will need to complete a Bachelor of Counselling or equivalent (Open Colleges, 2022).
Other options may include a graduate certificate or diploma in counselling or Master of Counselling. Refer to the Australian Counselling Association for more information, as this is Australia’s largest national registry with the mission to advocate and advance the profession of counseling and psychotherapy.
Europe
Many countries in Europe acknowledge the European Association for Counselling (EAC; European Association for Counselling, 2022).
Members of the EAC have the opportunity to qualify as an Accredited European Counsellor through the exclusive European Certificate of Counsellor Accreditation, which meets the criteria determined by the EAC.
More information can be found on the website for the European Board for Certified Counselors. There are credentialing programs for global career development facilitators, certified supervision professionals, and mental health facilitators.
United Kingdom
In the UK, refer to the National Counselling Society. While counseling in the UK is not regulated (National Counselling Society, 2022), it would be wise to select a program that is accredited by the National Counselling Society, which holds an Accredited Register recognized by the Professional Standards Authority.
United States of America
The American Counseling Association (ACA) acts as the educational and professional organization that focuses on the growth and enhancement of counseling in the United States. This organization directs counselor candidates to state requirements for certification and licensure.
Without further ado, here is a list of universities which offer courses in psychology and psychotherapy.
Australia
The University of Melbourne is noted as Australia’s #1 university for psychology and #30 in the world (Edurank.com, 2025).
Programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels are available. Find out more about these programs on their website.
The #2 university in 2025 for psychology in Australia was the University of Sydney (Edurank, 2025). Undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs are offered. If you’re specifically interested in coaching, be sure to check out their graduate programs in Coaching Psychology.
The University of Amsterdam is one of the biggest and best research universities, and it is known for its quality of education (Graduateshotline.com, 2021).
This university offers courses with specializations in brain and cognition, clinical psychology, clinical developmental psychology, clinical neuropsychology, psychological methods, social psychology, and work and organizational psychology.
Find more out about this prestigious university here.
Also ranked among the top is Heidelberg University in Germany, one of the country’s most prestigious institutions and home to a respected Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies.
Heidelberg offers both bachelor’s and master’s programs in Psychology, designed to prepare students for a broad range of occupational roles, including counseling and psychotherapy. The program provides a strong foundation in key areas of psychological theory and practice, with opportunities for later specialization at the master’s level.
The Academy Space is an independent, specialist training provider based in Sheffield, offering accredited qualifications in counseling and psychotherapy. Their flagship Diploma in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy is a Level 5 program, continuously accredited by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
Designed for aspiring counselors, helping professionals, or those seeking personal development, the diploma provides students with the skills, ethical grounding, and professional pathway to become registered practitioners.
The Welsh Psychotherapy Institute in Cardiff also offers a UKCP-accredited Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Gestalt/Integrative Psychotherapy. This modular, part-time training spans four years of taught content followed by two years of independent study, leading to UKCP registration.
Applicants typically need a degree or equivalent experience and at least four years of relevant work with adults.
Find out more about WPI’s program and application process here.
United States
Columbia University in New York offers the following psychotherapy programs:
Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Transference-Focused Psychotherapy
Parent–Infant Psychotherapy.
More information can be accessed on their website.
The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia offers a two-year Master of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed.) in Professional Counseling, designed to prepare students for licensure as professional counselors and certification as school counselors. Graduates go on to careers in schools, mental health agencies, private practice, and doctoral study.
Find more information on this private Ivy League institution here.
Train Smart may also be an option if you would like to earn the Diploma of Counselling. This program is offered fully online, including the practicum portion, which is available via teleconferencing.
Note that both the Open Colleges and Train Smart programs are nationally recognized in Australia.
Europe
The Academy for Coaching & Counselling (ACC), based in the Netherlands, may be of interest if you’re looking to learn the basics of coaching and counseling.
Their two-year program is offered in live online format, allowing you to attend interactive classes via Zoom. Year 1 covers the foundations of coaching and counseling, while Year 2 offers the chance to specialise in a chosen area such as trauma, personal development, or mourning and loss.
Chrysalis Courses Online, which is accredited by the National Counselling Society, offers certificates in counselling, humanistic counselling, life coaching, hypnotherapy, and neurolinguistic programming.
Continuing professional development courses are available in person or online through KRD Training. There are many courses on offer, including Working with Self Harm and Self Sabotage, An Introduction to PTSD and Trauma, and Working with Adolescent Mental Health in Counselling.
Note that these programs are accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
United States
In the US, it is best to find a program that is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The following schools are both CACREP-featured online schools for Master of Counseling programs.
Capella University, who is also endorsed by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Therapy Education and the Higher Learning Commission, offers a range of certificates and Masters degrees in counseling. Specializations include Addiction Studies, General School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, and more. This university also offers a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission and is an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology.
This well-regarded institution offers an MA in Counseling Psychology with a professional counselor licensure track designed to support career advancement in the counseling field. It also provides a variety of other psychology-focused master’s programs, including degrees in Applied Psychology and Forensic Psychology.
Consider the following options if getting your masters is the goal you have in mind.
Australia
The Australian College of Applied Psychology offers a fully accredited Bachelor of Counselling degree that combines online and on-campus study. The on-campus portions of study are located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. There are 200 hours of supervised work placement included in this degree program.
The University of Queensland also offers a Master of Counselling degree, which is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Find out more about this exciting opportunity here.
Europe
Blanquerna Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona offers the International Master in Adlerian Counseling—a two-year online program grounded in Alfred Adler’s holistic approach to mental health.
Students learn to support individuals facing emotional challenges, such as life transitions, family conflict, or work-related stress, through psychological counseling techniques rooted in Adlerian theory. The program is delivered primarily online, with optional in-person components, and is available in both Spanish and English.
The Universidad de Murcia, also in Spain, offers Master’s degrees in Family Guidance, Counseling, and Mediation. These face-to-face, year-long programs aim to provide holistic academic training for graduates across a range of fields, including the social sciences, law, psychology, and health sciences, supporting professional specialization in the family sciences.
The Northamptonshire Centre for Counselling Studies offers the following progression to become a qualified counselor:
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
The coursework is a mix between in-person and online classes, with the majority of the courses being taught in person.
Please see their website for additional information.
The Mindspace Foundation offers a range of training programs and qualifications, including a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and more.
You can find additional information and apply to the program of your choice here.
Note that both of these programs are accredited by the UK’s National Counselling Society.
United States
Northeastern University offers a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. This program is unique in that they offer students a choice of specific concentrations within the general Master of Science program.
Walden University offers several CACREP-accredited options for a Master of Science, including clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and a dual degree encompassing both. They also offer a specialization focused on marriage, couple, and family counseling, as well as a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.
If in-person evening classes fit your schedule, Bethel University in Minnesota could be a strong option. Their program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a professional (clinical) counselor in Minnesota. To become licensed, you’ll also need to pass a national exam and complete the additional supervised clinical hours required by the state.
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No matter which program or school you choose, it is critical to ensure that both the program and school are accredited by the appropriate local governing agency. Failing to do so may result in lost time and money or a degree that doesn’t get you where you need to go.
The counseling profession is growing at a miraculous pace. For example, employment in the fields of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is expected to grow by 23% within the next 10 years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). School and career counseling are projected to grow by 11%.
It is not surprising that counselors are in demand; however, the restrictions for becoming a counselor remain unwavering despite the need. Whether you determine that a face-to-face institution or an online university is right for you, and whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, we wish you the best in your exciting journey to becoming a counselor.
What are the best counseling courses available online?
There are numerous online counseling courses tailored for both professionals and individuals interested in personal growth. Notable options include the Applied Positive Psychology Graduate Certificate from Colorado State University, which offers flexible online learning, and the “Foundations of Positive Psychology” specialization on Coursera, covering key theories and applications.
How long do online counseling courses typically take to complete?
The duration of online counseling courses varies. For instance, the “Foundations of Positive Psychology” specialization on Coursera recommends approximately two months at 10 hours per week, totaling around 80 hours. Other courses, like the “Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions” course, can be completed in about 16 hours.
How do I choose the right online counseling course for my needs?
Consider your professional goals, areas of interest, and the course content when selecting an online counseling course. Review course descriptions, instructor credentials, and any available reviews to ensure the program aligns with your objectives. Additionally, consider whether the course offers practical tools and strategies that you can apply in your practice or personal life.
Tiffany Sauber Millacci, Ph.D., is an educator who works with both university and elementary students. As a lifelong learner, she is driven by a passion for research and enjoys translating her findings into writing to share her knowledge with others.
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What our readers think
Meghla
on May 20, 2023 at 02:47
Really great article. Thanks for taking the time to explain things in such great detail in a way that is easy to understand.
Decisions, decisions!
Open Colleges may be of interest if you are pursuing a counseling career in Australia and wish to obtain a Diploma of Counselling.
What our readers think
Really great article. Thanks for taking the time to explain things in such great detail in a way that is easy to understand.
Thank you for such a detailed information, thank you for time and effort, very helpful 🙂