What skills do I need to learn for a career in counseling?

To become a successful counselor, you must learn communication, active listening, empathy, rapport-building, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Because counselors work with patients to resolve emotional issues, they need technical and human skills to build strong, trustworthy relationships. Counselors also need to learn psychological theories and techniques to be effective.

What are the best free courses on counseling?

Coursera offers free courses related to counseling, such as Introduction to Psychology from Yale University, so you can understand if counseling is a good fit for you. Another helpful free course is The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs from the University of Toronto. For deeper understanding of specific techniques, consider Conflict Transformation from Emory University, Social Psychology from Wesleyan University, Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers from Yale University, and Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health from the University of Sydney, all offered for free.

What is a typical career path for becoming a counselor?

Those who want to become a counselor or therapist can earn a license by taking the necessary courses and passing the state exam. Most states require a master’s degree in relevant coursework, such as social work, counseling, or clinical psychology. To be qualified for such a master’s degree, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree. Read more about earning a master’s in psychology .

How do I know if a career in counseling is right for me?

Becoming a counselor can be a rewarding career because you’ll have a positive impact on individuals, whether it’s through a school, organization, or community. Counselors typically are passionate about helping others, especially in applying psychological techniques to help people with their emotions, relationships, and trauma. You might start by researching counseling roles or taking an introductory course to see if this career path suits you.

How much do counseling courses cost?

Visit the Learner Help Center for more information about learning on Coursera. There, you can learn more about your account, payments, subscriptions, and Coursera policies.

What Counseling courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Counseling, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Counseling Courses - Learn Counseling Online

University of Colorado Boulder

Leading Oneself with Personal Excellence

Skills you'll gain: Goal Setting, Personal Development, Resilience, Stress Management, Self-Awareness, Self-Motivation, Persistence, Accountability, Planning, Growth Mindedness, Emotional Intelligence, Time Management, Optimism, Prioritization, Decision Making

Alfaisal University | KLD

إدارة ضغوط الحياة | Stress Management

Skills you'll gain: Stress Management, Time Management, Positivity, Organizational Skills, Self-Motivation, Personal Development, Resilience, Behavior Management, Mental Health, Self-Awareness, Communication

Goodwill Industries International

The Digital Divide

Skills you'll gain:

University of California, Santa Cruz

The Career Design Lab: Change your Job, Change your Life

Skills you'll gain: Professional Networking, Positivity, Design Thinking, Decision Making, Professional Development, Growth Mindedness, Interviewing Skills, LinkedIn, Self-Awareness, Negotiation, Personal Development, Goal Setting

Wesleyan University

Career Decisions: From Insight to Impact

Skills you'll gain: Decision Making, Professional Development, Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Creative Thinking, Human Centered Design, Strategic Thinking, Relationship Building, Social Sciences, Cultural Diversity, Goal Setting, Dealing With Ambiguity, Adaptability, Growth Mindedness

Kennesaw State University

Career Planning: A Pathway to Employment

Skills you'll gain: LinkedIn, Interviewing Skills, Social Media, Professional Networking, Strategic Communication, Communication, Social Skills, Negotiation, Professionalism, Business Writing, Decision Making

University of California, Irvine

Life 101: Mental and Physical Self-Care

Skills you'll gain: Stress Management, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness, Personal Care, Resilience, Mental Health, Lifelong Learning, Preventative Care, Self-Motivation, Behavioral Health, Psychology, Environment and Resource Management, Food and Beverage, Decision Making

Goodwill Industries International

Client Intake, Assessments, Skill Analysis and Planning

Skills you'll gain: Accountability, Recruitment, Client Services, Needs Assessment, Goal Setting, Coaching, Planning, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Relationship Building

Status: Free

University of Minnesota

Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics

Skills you'll gain: Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Behavioral Health, Human Development, Social Sciences, Qualitative Research, Life Sciences, Psychology, Psychiatry, Biostatistics, Medical Science and Research, Research Methodologies, General Science and Research, Research, Epidemiology

University of Colorado Boulder

Leading Oneself with Self-Knowledge

Skills you'll gain: Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Time Management, Professional Development, Decision Making, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Resilience, Psychology, Adaptability

Goodwill Industries International

Supporting Clients

Skills you'll gain: Interviewing Skills, Coaching, Employee Onboarding, Client Services, LinkedIn, Professional Networking, Professional Development, Recruitment, Personal Development, Business Writing, Financial Planning

Macquarie University

Career planning: Your career, your life

Skills you'll gain: Adaptability, Business Writing, Professional Development, Communication, Personal Development, LinkedIn, Professional Networking, Planning, Lifelong Learning, Self-Awareness, Digital Marketing, Design Thinking, Branding, Interviewing Skills

Counseling Courses Online

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