Introduction to Holistic Counselling
Explore how the mind, heart, and spirit shape wellbeing in this accessible introduction to holistic counselling.
612 enrolled on this course
Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
1 hourLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano100% online
How it works
Introduction to Holistic Counselling
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Understand person-centred care and ethical practice
Holistic counselling looks at the whole person, the mind, heart, and spirit.
You’ll learn core skills and ethical practices that foster trust and promote healing in relationships, while discovering new ways to care for others more deeply.
Explore the fundamentals of inner work and metaskills development
Discover inner work practices, including the concept of “burning your own wood.” You’ll learn to lead with curiosity, compassion, and a beginner’s mind, developing metaskills that shape your counselling practice.
You’ll also reflect on the inner critic and its impact on personal growth.
Integrate the concepts of psychology and wisdom traditions
Explore the integration of Process-Oriented Psychology with First Nations wisdom and spiritual presence.
You’ll practise deep listening as a mindful, heartfelt approach that supports both your own growth and the healing of others.
Develop your person-centred and ethical counselling practice
Learn Dr Carl Rogers’ core conditions that form the foundation of a strong therapeutic alliance. Understand key ethical considerations including confidentiality, boundaries, and safe practice.
You’ll walk away with fully developed reflective listening and presence skills supporting client trust.
Syllabus
Week 1
Key Elements of Counselling Skills - Part One: Deep Listening and the Heart’s Intelligence
Deep Listening
A powerful technique for beginning to truly listen to another.
Week 2
Key Elements of Counselling Skills - Part Two: Presence, Empathy, Congruence and Unconditional Positive Regard
Presence, Empathy, Congruence and Unconditional Positive Regard
Learn about important holistic counselling skills, presence, empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard.
Congruence: Exercise for Reflection
Try this as a way to tap into your capacity to be congruent.
Week 3
Emotional Intelligence: Metaskills and the Therapeutic Relationship
Emotional Intelligence: Metaskills and the Therapeutic Relationship
Learn about emotional intelligence, including metaskills and the therapeutic relationship
Week 4
Shaping a Healing Conversation: Gentle Inquiry and Boundaries
Shaping a Healing Conversation
Shaping a Healing Conversation
Week 5
Introduction to Process-Oriented Psychology – Noticing Tensions and Trouble Spots
Introduction to Process-Oriented Psychology – Noticing Tensions and Trouble Spots
An introduction to Process-Oriented Psychology, including how to notice tensions and trouble spots
Week 6
Communication Skills - Part One: Reflections on the Inner Critic
Communication Skills - Reflections on the Inner Critic
Learn about communication skills and reflect on the role of the inner critic
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Reflect on deep listening and distinguish it from general listening in counselling contexts.
- Explain Dr Carl Rogers’ core conditions (empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard) and their role in therapeutic alliance.
- Identify and apply basic behaviours that demonstrate presence (attunement to verbal, non-verbal, somatic cues).
- Describe inner work and outline a safe, personal plan for “burning your own wood” outside client sessions.
- Summarise metaskills (for example, curiosity, beginner’s mind, compassion) and reflect on how they shape technique.
Who is the course for?
Ideal for those beginning counselling studies, helping professionals, and anyone seeking holistic mental health skills.
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Metavision Institute
Metavision Institute is dedicated to evolving consciousness through holistic education. Rooted in depth, presence, and integrative practice, we support the development of practitioners who honour the complexity of the human experience – mind, body, soul, and spirit – in service of individual and collective healing.
| Best ValueBest Value - learn more, save more! | |||
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Start learning today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 6 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 6 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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