What to expect from Level 2 counselling training

Level 2 counselling training is the first step into the world of counselling and personal awareness. This blog explains what the course feels like and how it supports your growth, confidence and understanding of yourself and others.

What to expect from Level 2 counselling training

Beginning Level 2 counselling training marks the start of a deeply rewarding and often transformative journey. Many students arrive with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. It is common to feel excited about learning new skills, yet unsure about what the course involves or whether you are ready for it.

These feelings are entirely normal. Level 2 exists precisely for people who are exploring counselling for the first time and want a safe introduction to the work.

This guide offers a clear and honest picture of what Level 2 is really like, how the learning unfolds and why students so often describe it as an experience that changes the way they relate to themselves and others.

The first step into a different kind of learning

Most people are used to classroom learning that focuses on information and memorisation. Level 2 counselling training feels very different. At the centre of the course is the belief that counselling is a relational process, and that learning happens through experience rather than through textbooks alone. This means your sessions are less about sitting silently and more about exploring, sharing and practising.

From the moment you enter the room or log in online, you become part of a small learning community. You meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and ages, but everyone shares one thing in common. They are all taking their first step into the world of counselling. This immediately creates a sense of equality. Nobody is expected to know more than anyone else. Everyone begins at the same place.

You will find that tutors create a warm and encouraging atmosphere. They understand the mixture of nerves and excitement students often feel at the beginning. Rather than lectures, you will experience conversations, discussions and explorations of what counselling is and what it is not. This gentle introduction helps you settle into the course with confidence.

Understanding the purpose of Level 2

Level 2 counselling skills training does not prepare you to practise as a counsellor yet. Instead, its purpose is to introduce you to the essential skills and reflective abilities you will need in later training. It gives you a taste of what counselling work involves and helps you understand whether this path feels right for you.

The course focuses on:

• Learning to listen in a deeper and more intentional way
• Understanding the role of empathy
• Recognising the importance of boundaries
• Becoming aware of your own emotional responses
• Exploring the meaning of ethical and safe practice
• Developing reflective thinking
• Building confidence in interpersonal communication

These skills are relevant not only to counselling. Many students use what they learn in their work, relationships and personal lives.

The experience of the learning environment

Students often describe Level 2 as surprisingly supportive. Although you may enter the room as strangers, the shared nature of the journey brings people together. As the course progresses, most groups develop a strong sense of trust. It becomes easier to share your thoughts and feelings, and to listen to others with respect and curiosity.

Tutors play an important part in shaping this environment. They are trained to hold a safe space and to guide discussions sensitively. They encourage exploration without pressure, allowing everyone to participate at their own pace. If something feels uncertain, tutors are there to help you understand what is happening and to support you.

You will find that the learning environment is not only about theory. It is about connection, patience, openness and compassion. These qualities build naturally over time as you take part in group learning.

What skills practice feels like

One of the core elements of Level 2 is skills practice. This is where you begin to try out the basic skills that counsellors use. At first, the idea of practice can feel intimidating, especially if you have never done anything like this before. Many students worry that they will not know what to say or that they might get something wrong.

It is helpful to remember that everyone in the room feels the same way in the beginning. You will practise in pairs or small groups, and the exercises start gently. You may take turns being the listener, the speaker and the observer. This helps you understand how different roles feel and how they influence the interaction.

During these sessions you learn to:

• Slow down and be present with another person
• Focus on the speaker rather than on what you want to say next
• Respond in ways that show understanding
• Notice emotions and feelings beneath the words
• Recognise the difference between helping and giving advice

Skills practice becomes easier and more comfortable as the weeks go on. Many students find it becomes the part of the course they look forward to most.

Personal development and self-awareness

Although Level 2 is an introductory course, it naturally involves personal reflection. You are not expected to share private details or personal history, but you will begin to notice how your emotions, assumptions and communication patterns influence your relationships. This self-awareness is a crucial part of counselling training.

You may find that you begin to recognise:

• Moments when you want to solve a problem rather than listen
• Feelings that arise when someone shares something emotional
• Patterns in how you communicate or avoid communication
• Times when it feels difficult to stay with someone’s experience
• Beliefs about yourself or others that influence how you relate

This is not about analysing yourself. It is about becoming more conscious of how you show up in conversations and how that shapes connection. Many students describe this as one of the most meaningful parts of the course because it helps them grow not only as future counsellors but also as people.

Reflective work and assignments

Assignments at Level 2 are reflective rather than academic. Instead of long essays or complex theory, you will be invited to write about your experiences, your learning and your personal responses. These reflections help deepen your understanding of the skills and support your emotional growth.

You might write about:

• A moment in a skills practice that stayed with you
• Something that challenged you
• A feeling that surprised you
• A communication pattern you became aware of
• A new insight about empathy or listening

Reflective writing helps you make sense of your learning. Many students find that it becomes a valuable part of their personal development.

Group learning and connection

Group work is an essential feature of counselling training. You learn as much from the group as you do from the tutor. Conversations can be rich, challenging, humorous and moving. Everyone brings different perspectives and experiences, and these differences help broaden your understanding of people and relationships.

Groups often become places of trust. Students support one another through moments of self-doubt or emotional insight, and they celebrate each other’s growth. The group becomes a microcosm of the counselling relationship. You learn what helps people feel safe, understood and valued.

This sense of connection is one of the reasons many students remember Level 2 so fondly. It becomes more than a course. It becomes a community.

How Level 2 prepares you for further training

Level 2 is the foundation. It helps you understand what counselling is and what it is not. It gives you experience in skills practice, reflection and emotional awareness. It allows you to grow in confidence and self-belief. It helps you discover whether counselling feels like the right path.

Counselling is a profession rooted in empathy, presence and connection. Level 2 invites you to begin cultivating these qualities. Students frequently say that Level 2 changes the way they communicate, listen and relate in everyday life.

They describe feeling more patient, more present and more aware of the emotions in themselves and others. Some notice improvements in their relationships. Others feel more confident in expressing themselves.

Even for students who decide not to pursue counselling as a profession, Level 2 is often described as one of the most meaningful courses they have ever taken because of the personal insight it provides.

Find out more: Find out more about our CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills Training or contact us if you have any questions.