Counseling courses can help you learn active listening, empathy, conflict resolution, and effective communication techniques. You can build skills in assessing client needs, developing treatment plans, and implementing therapeutic interventions. Many courses introduce tools such as cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, motivational interviewing strategies, and assessment instruments that enhance your ability to support clients in various settings.

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Triage, Crisis Intervention, Active Listening, Rapport Building, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Psychiatric Assessments, Interpersonal Communications, Personal Care, Mental Health, Stress Management, Patient Referral
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Toronto
Skills you'll gain: Patient Communication, Interpersonal Communications, Psychotherapy, Mental Health Therapies, Patient Treatment, Rapport Building, Conflict Management, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Case Studies, Stress Management, Mental Health, Clinical Practices
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Yale University
Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Child Development, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Human Development, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Sociology, Neurology, Critical Thinking, Scientific Methods, Problem Solving
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Toronto
Skills you'll gain: Relationship Building, Social Skills, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Needs Assessment, Assertiveness, Psychology, Cultural Diversity
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Goodwill Industries International
Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Interviewing Skills, Communication, Coaching, Accountability, Client Services, Virtual Teams, Professional Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Client Support, Workforce Development, Recruitment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Active Listening, Telecommuting, Needs Assessment, Employee Onboarding, Empathy, Human Centered Design, Gap Analysis
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Yale University
Skills you'll gain: Student Support and Services, Working With Children, School Counseling, Personal Development, Stress Management, Classroom Management, Cultural Responsiveness, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Resilience, Relationship Building, Active Listening
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Stanford University
Skills you'll gain: Pain Management, Patient Communication, Psychosocial Assessments, Patient Education And Counseling, Patient Evaluation, Nursing Practices, Patient-centered Care, Basic Patient Care, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Clinical Assessment, Communication, Pharmacology
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Oncology, Medical Imaging, Patient Education And Counseling, Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Therapy, Molecular Biology, Diagnostic Tests, Clinical Trials, Pain Management, Preventative Care, Treatment Planning, Urology, Patient Treatment, Immunology, Epidemiology, Surgery, Cell Biology, Care Management, Biology, Pathology
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Yale University
Skills you'll gain: Health Disparities, Motivational Interviewing, Substance Abuse, Patient-centered Care, Medication Therapy Management, Mental and Behavioral Health, Social Determinants Of Health, Patient Education And Counseling, Psychiatry, Pharmacotherapy, Psychotherapy, Treatment Planning, Health Policy, Care Coordination, Clinical Assessment
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Diversity Awareness, Culture, Socioeconomics, Cultural Diversity, Sociology, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Cultural Responsiveness, Conflict Management, Advocacy, Cultural Sensitivity, Family Therapy, Community and Social Work, Safety and Security, Public Policies
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Self-Awareness, Research, Higher Education, Planning, Student Services, Cultural Diversity
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Patient Education And Counseling, Mindfulness, Contraindication, Pain Management, Patient Referral, Clinical Assessment, Patient-centered Care, Patient Communication, Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Stress Management, Mental Health, Mental Concentration, Critical Thinking
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Browse the counseling courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
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.
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.
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.