SACAP : Advanced Certificate in Counselling & Communication Skills 

SACAP : Advanced Certificate in Counselling & Communication Skills

SACAP’s Advanced Certificate is a 12 to 18 month qualification specifically designed for those with prior studies in psychology, who want to develop robust counselling skills and deepen their knowledge and skills in specialised application areas such as

crisis and trauma, family and relationships, conflict management, addictions, grief and loss, working with children, working with adolescents and/or HIV and sexuality. The Advanced Certificate includes SACAP’s signature fieldwork placement as well as two electives of your choice.

At a Glance

Is this course for me?

If you say yes to any of the following points, then the Advanced Certificate could just be the perfect fit for you.
Do you?

• Have a qualification in psychology and want to gain hands-on counselling and communication skills.
• Want a counselling qualification that adheres to international best practice training standards and is recognised by the International Registry of CounsellorEducation Programmes (IRCEP). 
• Want to develop deeper knowledge and skills in specific counselling areas, such as: crisis and trauma, family and relationships, addictions, grief and loss, working with children, working with adolescents and/or HIV and sexuality.
• Want to gain practical fieldwork experience, as part of your studies, to boost your expertise and confidence for a career in counselling.
• Want an NQF accredited qualification.

What will I learn?

Throughout the Advanced Certificate, you’ll develop:

• Counselling and interpersonal communication skills, including referral and management strategies, for application in the key areas of crisis and trauma counselling, conflict management, family and relationship work.
• Knowledge and skills in specific counselling areas through your choice of elective modules, such as: addictions, grief and loss, working with children, working with adolescents and/or HIV and sexuality.
• Practical, supervised fieldwork experience.
• Deeper knowldege and insights into Values and Ethics in psychology.

What can I do with this qualification?

You will be able to work as a SACAP Counsellor*. This means that, working with supervision, you can:

• Provide short term supportive counselling (excluding psychotherapy) and guidance in key application areas, depending on the elective modules you’ve completed.
• Identify (but not diagnose or treat) possible mental health disorders and refer clients to the relevant professionals.
• Apply competency-based counselling approaches – finding strengths and resilience to facilitate mental health and wellness.
• Practice effective interpersonal communication skills in a range of supportive counselling settings and contexts with diverse individuals and groups.

*SACAP have developed a recommended scope of practice for each of our qualifications according to SACAP’s Competency-Based Framework ©

What further study pathways are open to me?

The Advanced Certificate is ideal for those with an undergraduate or honours qualification in psychology who are wanting to gain hands-on knowledge and skills to begin their careers, or, alternatively, to position themselves for further post-graduate studies and career options.

Admission requirements

• An NQF Level 5 qualification in an appropriate field of study, or equivalent qualification, OR
• Mature students 23 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence equivalent to NQF Level 5 training in an appropriate field of study to support admission on the basis of SACAP’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.