Training therapists from the inside out
Final places remaining for May 2026
The Albany Centre’s Professional Diploma in Counselling is a deeply relational, experiential training designed to help students grow not only in clinical skill, but in confidence, self-awareness, emotional presence, and professional competence. The core theorectical model is Gestalt.
With over a decade of established training experience, the Diploma combines rigorous counselling theory, experiential learning, embodied awareness, reflective group process, and real-world clinical development within a warm, supportive learning community.
Many students describe the training as both personally transformative as well as professionally enriching.
Next cohort commences: 29 May 2026
Entry requirement: Level 3 counselling qualification (or equivalent approximately 150 classroom hours)
Why Train With Us?
Training at The Albany Centre is far more than learning a set of counselling techniques. It is a personal and professional journey that develops you from the inside out. Our programmes offer a warm, supportive, and emotionally intelligent learning community where students are encouraged to grow in confidence, relational depth, and professional competence.
Students learn through a blend of experiential exercises, embodied awareness, skills practice, theory input, reflective process, and group dialogue. We aim not only to teach counselling skills, but to help students become grounded, ethical, and emotionally aware practitioners capable of working safely and effectively with complexity.
Many students join the Diploma not only for professional training, but to grow in confidence, self-awareness, and relational depth.
Course Structure
- Two-year professional Diploma training
- Nine training weekends per academic year
- One five-day residential intensive each year
- Weekend format designed to fit around work and life commitments
- Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays
- Entry into Year Two may be possible based on previous training
Weekend timings: Fridays 7:00pm-9:50pm, Saturdays 10:00am-7:30pm, Sundays 10:00am-4:40pm. Each residential runs from Thursday 7:00pm until Monday lunchtime.
Considering Transferring Your Counselling Training click here
May 2026 Intake Dates
| Course element | Date |
| Weekend 1 | 29, 30, 31 May 2026 |
| Weekend 2 | 26, 27, 28 June 2026 |
| Weekend 3 | 17, 18, 19 July 2026 |
| Weekend 4 | 25, 26, 27 September 2026 |
| Weekend 5 | 23, 24, 25 October 2026 |
| Weekend 6 | 27, 28, 29 November 2026 |
| Weekend 7 | 29, 30, 31 January 2027 |
| Weekend 8 | 26, 27, 28 February 2027 |
| Weekend 9 | 19, 20, 21 March 2027 |
| Residential | 22-26 April 2027 |
Areas of Study
- Trauma and traumatic attachment
- Loss, bereavement, and traumatic grief
- Addiction and compulsive behaviours
- Sex, sexuality, and gender diversity
- Working relationally with neurodiversity
- Attachment, abuse, and neglect
- Embodied awareness and relational process
- Ethics, boundaries, and professional identity
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers are invited to contribute throughout the course, bringing specialist knowledge and lived or professional experience in particular areas of practice. This may include, for example, trainers with expertise in trauma, contributors with direct experience of addiction or recovery, or speakers with specialist insight into disability, neurodiversity, sexuality, or other areas of human experience.
Not all guest speakers are therapists, although many are, but each is invited because they bring valuable insight into the complexity of people’s lives and the work of counselling.
Clinical Placements
Students are supported in finding suitable placements through The Albany Centre’s links with Mosaic Counselling Services CIC and a wider network of counselling organisations. Placement timing varies according to readiness, availability, and placement requirements.
Testimonials:
“Excellent experience, allowing for learning about the profession as well as huge personal growth and understanding too.”
Katrina, 2023
“The Course exceeded my expectations. I have learnt a great deal about Gestalt therapy as well as addressing my own issues and the results have been life changing.”
Catherine, 2023
“Amazing and life changing.”
Costas, 2023
“Stimulating and fun. Positive, non-judgmental atmosphere. Very good learning experience.”
Jane, 2017
“Definitely the best course I have ever done. Thoroughly enjoyable and challenging but also personalised – I felt it met my needs and I could choose what and how I learnt.”
Emma, 2016
“I have felt supported throughout.”
Ellen, 2016
Entry Requirements
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills (or equivalent)
- Approximately 150 classroom learning hours
- Commitment to personal and professional development
To find out more about our Foundation Year Click Here
Assessment:
Assessment is continuous in terms of skills & fitness to practice and there is a formal piece of written work at the end of each year in addition to journals and project work throughout.
Course Details
- Start date: 29 May 2026
- Location: The Albany Centre, St Albans
- Format: Weekend-based professional training
- Residential intensive included
- Placement support through Mosaic Counselling Services CIC and external placement networks
Course Fees
Fees for May 2026 – April 2027 are £4700 for the year including the full cost of the residential retreat and refreshments throughout training weekends.
Flexible payment plans are available
Fees may be paid in instalments via monthly standing order with a non-refundable deposit to secure a place.
A 5% discount is available for students wishing to pay the full yearly fee upfront.
Apply or Enquire
To apply for this course: Sign up today
To Enquirte about this course: Contact Us
We welcome enquiries from students wishing to continue or transfer their counselling training following previous study elsewhere. Applications are considered individually based on prior training and experience.
Course Requirements FAQ Speakers