We provide specialist training designed to support counsellors and other support practitioners in working with people affected by alcohol use and strengthen counselling practice across Scotland.
Our core training pathway is validated by COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland).
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This introductory course to counselling consists of four 30-hour modules (120 hours in total).
It is designed to develop key counselling skills such as active listening, self-reflection and building empathic relationships as well as introduce participants to basic counselling theories and approaches.
SACC delivers this course in partnership with Murray’s Initiative with options of both in-person and online (condensed) delivery format.
This course requires no previous experience or qualifications.
Successful completion leads to the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (awarded at SCQF Level 8).
Successful participants who work/volunteer within SACC member organisations can continue SACC’s Volunteer Training Pathway by moving on to the Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course.
The course is free for participants from SACC member organisations.
For external participants, the course fee is £1,200, paid in four instalments of £300. 20% deposit is required before the course begins, final balance due before course end.
Next dates: TBD
Location: TBD
To register your interest in the COSCA Counselling Skills course please fill in the form below.
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This 30-hour specialist course is designed to provide knowledge and skills for working within a counselling skills framework with clients who wish to change their drinking behaviour.
The course builds on generic counselling skills, such as those gained through the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate, to provide a deeper understanding of alcohol use and strategies for supporting change. Skills practice is integrated with theoretical learning throughout the course.
This course is exclusive to volunteer alcohol counsellors and other staff with generic alcohol skills within SACC member organisations.
It is a free hybrid course (min. 70% in-person) delivered in different geographic areas based on participant demand.
Participants must hold the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate or equivalent (e.g. HNC Counselling).
Participants must be endorsed by their host organisation to attend the course and commit to attend all course sessions as a pre-requisite of the course.
Full attendance and completion of all course requirements lead to a certificate of completion, awarded jointly by SACC and COSCA.
Successful participants can continue SACC’s Volunteer Training Pathway by moving on to the supervised practice stage of the programme.
Next dates: TBD
Location: TBD
To register your interest in the Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course, please fill in the form below.
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This 30-hour specialist course is designed to provide knowledge and skills for working within a counselling skills framework with clients who wish to change their drinking behaviour.
The course builds on generic counselling skills, such as those gained through the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate, to provide a deeper understanding of alcohol use and strategies for supporting change. Skills practice is integrated with theoretical learning throughout the course.
This course is intended for qualified counsellors who wish to gain specialist knowledge regarding working with clients experiencing issues with their own or someone else’s alcohol use.
This is a fully on-line (real time) course.
Participants must hold a counselling qualification (Diploma or degree) and commit to attend all course sessions as a pre-requisite of the course.
Full attendance and completion of all course requirements lead to a certificate of completion, awarded jointly by SACC and COSCA.
The course fee is £525. 20% deposit is required before the course begins, final balance due before course end.
Next intake: TBD
To register your interest in the Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course, please fill in the form below.
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This is a programme consisting of supervised counselling practice (120 hours) over at least two years alongside the development of a professional counselling portfolio.
Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills demonstrates competence in the practice of advanced counselling skills and integrated alcohol interventions and ensures that people accessing SACC organisations receive safe and effective counselling support.
It also provides an excellent foundation for participants who may want to complete further counselling training and qualifications in the future. For participants who already have counselling qualifications, or are currently working towards them, the training provides additional knowledge and skills for counselling people around behaviour change.
Trainees must successfully complete SACC’s Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course and go through a selection process with their host organisation (SACC member) before commencement of supervised practice.
Counselling portfolios are assessed by the SACC Accreditation Panel at the end of the 120 hours of supervised practice and successful trainees are awarded the COSCA-validated Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills accreditation.
Successful trainees are eligible for COSCA Counsellor (Organisations) membership which allows people to practice as a counsellor within a COSCA organisational member agency.
To register your interest in undertaking the supervised counselling practice programme, speak to your host organisation.
Current trainees and practice supervisors can access guidance documents, templates and other resources by logging into the Resources Hub.
Are you considering one of our training courses?
My experience of the pathway was very positive. It served as a useful opportunity in guiding me to identify areas of my practice which would benefit from development and to put plans in place to increase my knowledge and skills in those areas whist receiving guidance and support from more experienced practitioners than myself. I realise it's certainly very important to have the right support and guidance as you work towards the Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills and without this my experience would have likely been very different.
The Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course is very beneficial for students coming into our organisation to complete their placement hours. Often, they have no experience or knowledge of alcohol use and the impact it can have on people and being able to attend the training provides them with this knowledge and how to work with our client group. This is both very beneficial to the students and us as an organisation in feeling more confident in their ability to support clients.
I felt well supported while undergoing my supervised practice and with the completion of my portfolio, by both my supervisor and SACC when I needed extra guidance. Also, the guidance notes are very helpful and well written which helped to keep me on track. Completion of the portfolio is challenging as it demands a high standard of evidence and self reflection which I found to be very positive for my personal development and growth as a practitioner.
The trainer was outstanding, knowledgeable, engaging, and highly inclusive. Her style of teaching made complex concepts feel approachable, and she created a safe, respectful space for discussion and practice. I also appreciated her ability to link theory to real world counselling contexts.