Expand your therapeutic toolbox to meet clients with confidence, flexibility and skill.
Counselling is not one-size-fits-all. Each client has their own story, strengths and struggles—and as a psychotherapist, counsellor or social worker, your ability to adapt your practice to meet those unique needs is essential.
This skill-based certificate is designed to deepen your understanding of a range of counselling theories and interventions, helping you grow as a responsive, client-centred practitioner. Through experiencing learning, you'll explore a variety of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches and gain practical tools you can integrate into your work right away.
Key features of the program include:
- A broad overview of foundational and emerging counselling approaches.
- Opportunities to explore techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, solution-focused approaches, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and more.
- Skill-building practice with peers in a supportive learning environment.
- A focus on essential skills to support and grow your clinical practice.
By the end of the program, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to draw from multiple approaches, connect with clients where they are, and support meaningful change through compassionate, grounded, and flexible practice.
Completion Requirements
To complete the Counselling Techniques certificate, you must select a minimum of seven courses from the list on the right. You can complete this certificate in as little as one year or take up to seven years. You do not have to be working toward the Counselling Techniques certificate to take any of these courses. These courses can be taken in any order.
Participation and Attendance
Full attendance and participation are required to complete these courses. Participants are requested, as much as possible, to have their cameras on. We know there are situations where this is not possible, so please send a message to your instructor or the Professional Development host to let them know that you are unable to turn on your camera. Our courses are interactive and include breakout rooms, role play, group discussions and other activities. Participation is required.
Four + Discount
Register for four or more courses at once to apply a 10% discount in your cart on the cost of each course. You must register and pay for all courses at the same time; discount is not cumulative or retroactive. If discount is not being applied at time of registration, contact fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca for assistance. Discount cannot be applied after registration is complete.
Delivery Options
The Counselling Techniques certificate workshops are available remotely through Zoom.
Becoming a Therapist
Completing the Counselling Techniques certificate will not qualify you to practice therapy or register with any college or association, including the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Please visit those websites for information on becoming a therapist in Ontario, or your provincial regulatory college.
Registration
No application is required. To register, select a course from the menu of the right, then a course section to view the dates and cost or add the course to your cart. Complete your registration with payment.
Contact Information
For more information about this certificate contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967
See our website and Frequently Asked Questions for more information.