Counselling and Mental Health

Counselling and Mental Health is a programme that addresses one of the most significant challenges facing contemporary societies: the prevalence of psychological distress and the growing demand for skilled, compassionate support. Mental health problems affect a substantial proportion of the population at any given time, and the ability to provide effective counselling support, to understand the psychological, social and biological factors that contribute to mental ill-health, and to work within the frameworks and ethics of professional practice is increasingly valued across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector.

At Leeds Beckett University, this full-time three-year programme includes a year abroad, broadening your cultural and professional perspective alongside your academic and clinical learning. You will study theories of counselling and psychotherapy, mental health across the lifespan, psychological approaches to wellbeing and therapeutic practice skills, developing both the theoretical knowledge and the reflective personal development that professional counselling training requires. The programme prepares you for a range of roles within mental health and support services and provides the foundation for further professional training as a qualified counsellor.

Graduates wishing to pursue professional counsellor status are eligible to apply for postgraduate accredited counselling programmes, including further routes that lead to qualified therapist status with recognised professional bodies.

Graduates from Counselling and Mental Health programmes go on to work in a wide variety of settings, including mental health services, schools and universities, the voluntary sector, community support organisations, substance misuse services and employee assistance programmes. Many go on to postgraduate professional training in counselling or psychotherapy, while others move into related roles in social work, health promotion, psychology research or mental health policy. The reflective and interpersonal skills developed through the degree are valued in virtually every profession that involves sustained engagement with other people.