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  • Counseling

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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    J

    Johns Hopkins University

    Psychological First Aid

    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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    20K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    U

    University of Toronto

    Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy

    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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    94 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    Y

    Yale University

    Introduction to Psychology

    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

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
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    32K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    U

    University of Toronto

    The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

    Skills you'll gain: Relationship Building, Social Skills, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Needs Assessment, Assertiveness, Psychology, Cultural Diversity

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.8K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    G

    Goodwill Industries International

    Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator

    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

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    442 reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

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    Y

    Yale University

    Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress

    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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    4K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    J

    Johns Hopkins University

    Cancer Biology

    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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    9.8K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Claves para la igualdad de género

    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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    928 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

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    Y

    Yale University

    Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

    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

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
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    2K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free
    Free
    U

    University of Pennsylvania

    Applying to U.S. Universities

    Skills you'll gain: Self-Awareness, Research, Higher Education, Planning, Student Services, Cultural Diversity

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
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    521 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Minnesota

    Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare

    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

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    228 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Michigan

    Understanding Psychosis

    Skills you'll gain: Health Disparities, Psychiatry, Patient Education And Counseling, Community Mental Health Services, Social Determinants Of Health, Patient Communication, Psychiatric Assessments, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Rehabilitation, Trauma Care, Mental and Behavioral Health, Pharmacology, Mental Health

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
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    20 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Searches related to counseling

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

  • Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
  • Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy: University of Toronto
  • Introduction to Psychology : Yale University
  • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs: University of Toronto
  • Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator: Goodwill Industries International
  • Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress: Yale University
  • Cancer Biology: Johns Hopkins University
  • Claves para la igualdad de género: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  • Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers: Yale University
  • Applying to U.S. Universities: University of Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling

Browse the counseling courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

  • Introduction to Psychology: Yale University
  • Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
  • Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy: University of Toronto
  • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs: University of Toronto
  • Suicide Prevention:Wesleyan University
  • Mindfulness: An Approach to Stress Reduction: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)‎

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.‎

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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