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Counseling Courses

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.

Popular Counseling Courses and Certifications


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    Gain skills with 40% off Coursera Plus

    Save 40% for 3 months
  • Y

    Yale University

    Introduction to Psychology

    Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Child Development, Human Development, Human Learning, Psychological Evaluations, Psychotherapy, Culture, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Learning Theory, Scientific Methods, Critical Thinking, Diversity Awareness, Problem Solving

    4.9 stars, 33K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.9 (33K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Status: Trending right now
    Trending right now
    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • U

    University of Colorado System

    Providing Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Special Education Services in School

    Skills you'll gain: Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Special Education, School Psychology, Case Studies, Empathy & Emotional Intelligence, School Counseling, Teaching, Student Support and Services, Social and Human Services, Mental Health, Preventative Care, Health Education, Health Promotion, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Behavior Management, Positive Behavior Support, Developmental Disabilities, Crisis Intervention, Functional Behavior Assessment, Trauma Care

    4.8 stars, 908 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.8 (908) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • A

    American Psychological Association

    Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors

    Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Clinical Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health, Mental Health Therapies, Psychiatry, Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Counseling, Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychiatric Assessments, Patient Evaluation, Behavioral Health, Psychotherapy, Culture, Cultural Sensitivity, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Psychosocial Assessments

    4.8 stars, 358 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (358) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Toronto

    Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy

    Skills you'll gain: Patient Communication, Patient Education And Counseling, Psychosocial Assessments, Patient Evaluation, Interpersonal Communications, Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Therapies, Patient Treatment, Treatment Planning, Rapport Building, Mental Health Counseling, Conflict Management, Interactive Learning, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Case Studies, Stress Management, Mental Health, Clinical Practices

    4.8 stars, 115 reviews, Mixed, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.8 (115) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • U

    University of Minnesota

    Integrative Health and Medicine

    Skills you'll gain: Drug Interaction, Meditation & Breathwork, Contraindication, Patient Education And Counseling, Mindfulness, Patient Referral, Pharmacology, Treatment Planning, Pain Management, Manual Therapy, Patient Safety, Health Assessment, Patient Education and Support, Health Systems, Clinical Practices, Nursing Practices, Pharmacotherapy, Patient Evaluation, Nurse Education, Patient-centered Care

    4.8 stars, 1.9K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (1.9K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • G

    Goodwill Industries International

    Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator

    Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Interviewing Skills, Communication, Coaching, Accountability, Virtual Teams, Professional Development, Client Support, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Trustworthiness, Workforce Development, Recruitment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Client Services, Relationship Management, Talent Pipelining, Rapport Building, Telecommuting, Needs Assessment, Employee Onboarding

    4.7 stars, 476 reviews, Beginner, Professional Certificate, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.7 (476) · Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
    Category: Build toward a degree
    Build toward a degree
  • C

    Coursera

    A Clinician's Guide: Soft Skills for Better Patient Outcomes

    Skills you'll gain: Patient Communication, Patient Education and Support, Constructive Feedback, Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Compassion, Patient Education And Counseling, Patient-centered Care, Empathy, Employee Engagement, Telehealth, Interpersonal Communications, Self-Awareness, Active Listening, Communication, Data Analysis, Cultural Sensitivity, Quality Improvement, Leadership and Management, Continuous Improvement Process

    4.3 stars, 10 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.3 (10) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Colorado System

    School Health for Children and Adolescents

    Skills you'll gain: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Special Education, Nutrition Education, Community Health, School Psychology, Chronic Diseases, Case Studies, Nutrition and Diet, Empathy & Emotional Intelligence, Health Education, Health Promotion, School Counseling, Developmental Disabilities, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Parent Communication, Care Management, Communication Disorders, Pediatric First Aid, Behavioral Health

    4.8 stars, 3.5K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (3.5K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • J

    John Wiley & Sons

    Taxes, Credit, and Loans

    Skills you'll gain: Tax Planning, Tax Management, Income Tax, Consumer Lending, Tax Preparation, Payroll Tax, Tax, Tax Compliance, Payment Systems, Deposit Accounts, Loans, Tax Returns, Banking, Credit Risk, Financial Systems, Financial Services, Financial Planning, Mortgage Loans, Real Estate, Transaction Processing

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • L

    Lund University

    The Mental Health Clinician and AI

    Skills you'll gain: Large Language Modeling, Precision Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Mental Health Therapies, Patient Evaluation, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Risking, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Generative AI, Health Technology, Machine Learning, Diagnostic Tests, AI Personalization, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Patient-centered Care, Human Centered Design, Mental and Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Data Security

    Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • N

    National Academy of Sports Medicine

    Science of Diet and Exercise

    Skills you'll gain: Exercise Science, Nutrition and Diet, Nutrition Counseling, Nutritional Assessment, Sports Medicine, Nutrition Education, Physiology, Kinesiology, Endocrinology, Health And Wellness Coaching, Biochemistry, Stress Management, Systems Of Measurement

    4.6 stars, 448 reviews, Intermediate, Specialization, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.6 (448) · Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • I

    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Recognizing Suicidality in Youth Mental Health

    Skills you'll gain: Working With Children, Preventative Care, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Child Welfare, Pediatrics, Student Support and Services, Community Mental Health Services, School Psychology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Mental and Behavioral Health, School Counseling, Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Parent Communication, Psychosocial Assessments, Patient Education And Counseling, Vulnerability, Patient Observation, English Language

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Category: Free
    Free

What brings you to Coursera today?

1234…21

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular counseling courses

  • Introduction to Psychology: Yale University
  • Providing Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Special Education Services in School: University of Colorado System
  • Psychology of Anxiety, Mood, Substance Use, and Addictive Behaviors: American Psychological Association
  • Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy: University of Toronto
  • Integrative Health and Medicine: University of Minnesota
  • Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator: Goodwill Industries International
  • A Clinician's Guide: Soft Skills for Better Patient Outcomes: Coursera
  • School Health for Children and Adolescents: University of Colorado System
  • Taxes, Credit, and Loans: John Wiley & Sons
  • The Mental Health Clinician and AI: Lund University

Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling

Counseling is a professional practice that involves helping individuals navigate personal, social, and psychological challenges. It is important because it provides support and guidance to those facing difficulties, helping them to develop coping strategies, improve their mental health, and enhance their overall well-being. Counselors play a crucial role in fostering resilience and empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives.‎

A career in counseling can lead to various job opportunities, including roles such as school counselor, mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, and substance abuse counselor. Each of these positions allows professionals to make a significant impact on individuals and communities by providing essential support and guidance.‎

To succeed in counseling, you need a combination of interpersonal and technical skills. Key skills include active listening, empathy, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Additionally, understanding psychological theories and ethical practices is vital for effective counseling.‎

There are many online options for counseling courses that cater to different interests and skill levels. Some popular choices include introductory courses on counseling techniques, specialized training in areas like family therapy, and programs focusing on mental health awareness. Exploring these options can help you find the right fit for your learning journey.‎

Yes. You can start learning counseling on Coursera for free in two ways:

  1. Preview the first module of many counseling courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  2. Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in counseling, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

Learning counseling involves a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. You can start by enrolling in online courses, participating in workshops, and seeking internships or volunteer opportunities to gain hands-on experience. Engaging with peers and professionals in the field can also enhance your understanding.‎

Typical topics covered in counseling courses include counseling theories, ethical practices, communication skills, assessment techniques, and specific areas like trauma-informed care or addiction counseling. These subjects provide a comprehensive foundation for aspiring counselors.‎

For training and upskilling employees in counseling, courses that focus on communication skills, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution are particularly beneficial. These courses can equip employees with the tools to support their colleagues and foster a healthier work environment.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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