Versatile Courses | Soft Skills Courses

Empowering Communities Through Emotional Support and Guidance
Course Duration
2 Days 16 Hours
Course Fee
$788

Course Description

The Paracounselling course is designed to equip individuals with foundational counselling skills to provide emotional support in non-professional settings. Whether you’re a community leader, educator, healthcare worker, or simply someone who wants to help others in times of need, this course offers practical tools to listen, support, and guide individuals through emotional distress. Participants will learn how to provide empathetic support, recognise signs of distress, and refer individuals to professional services when necessary. With a focus on ethical boundaries, communication techniques, and mental health awareness, this course prepares participants to become trusted sources of guidance within their communities.

Target Audience

  • Educators and school staff looking to support students’ emotional well-being.
  • Healthcare workers providing frontline support in medical settings.
  • Community leaders and volunteers offering guidance in social services.
  • HR professionals or managers interested in supporting employee mental health.
  • Individuals who want to develop basic counselling skills to help friends, family, or community members.

Course Highlights

  • Introduction to basic counselling skills and active listening.
  • Recognising signs of emotional distress and mental health challenges.
  • Ethical guidelines and establishing boundaries in non-professional counselling.
  • Referring individuals to professional counselling and mental health services.
  • Strategies for self-care and avoiding burnout when offering support.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply active listening and empathetic communication skills to provide emotional support.
  • Recognise signs of emotional distress and mental health issues in others.
  • Set appropriate boundaries when providing non-professional counselling.
  • Guide individuals toward professional help when necessary.
  • Practise self-care techniques to maintain personal well-being while supporting others.

Course Outline

  • Understanding the Role of a Paracounsellor
  • Basic Counselling Skills: Active Listening and Empathy
  • Ethical Boundaries in Paracounselling
  • The Importance of Confidentiality and Trust
  • Identifying Emotional and Psychological Distress
  • Common Signs of Mental Health Challenges: Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma
  • Supporting Individuals in Crisis Situations
  • When and How to Escalate to Professional Services
  • Verbal and Non-verbal Communication in Counselling
  • Asking Open-Ended Questions to Encourage Sharing
  • Providing Non-judgmental Support
  • Balancing Emotional Support with Practical Solutions
  • Understanding the Limits of Paracounselling
  • Setting Boundaries to Protect Yourself and Others
  • Handling Confidential Information with Care
  • Managing Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest
  • Recognising When Professional Help is Needed
  • Referring Individuals to Mental Health Professionals
  • Self-care Strategies for Paracounsellors
  • Preventing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate in Paracounselling, recognising their ability to provide empathetic support, recognise mental health challenges, and make appropriate referrals in non-professional settings.

Why Learn at Versatile?

Whether you’re a professional seeking career advancement, an individual aiming for self-improvement, or someone looking to enhance specific skills, our courses provide practical, real-world applications to help you succeed.

Industry Expert Training

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Hands-On Workshops

Receive real-time feedback in interactive sessions.

Exclusive Events

Hone your skills in our invite-only live events.

Alumni Network

Connect with peers for ongoing support and growth.

Mastermind Groups

Accelerate your success with tailored peer groups.

Complimentary Refresher Course

Resit any courses within 3 years after completion

Course Fees

$788 $388