What is Counseling?
The terms counselor and therapist are often used interchangeably, but at the core, counselors are often mental health professionals focused on providing pragmatic solutions to your issue. Counseling services run the gamut from general to targeted services like marriage counseling, family therapy, or substance abuse counseling. Counseling is a big field with an increase in the focus on mental health as a metric for public health. Whether you’re looking to go into the field or are looking for services for yourself, learning about the world of counseling can be enlightening.
Counseling Courses and Certifications
Several Universities, institutes and colleges in Nigeria offer courses in counseling that can teach you to measure and increase your own well-being using principles from counseling and clinical psychology. You’ll gain an understanding of your emotional life, evaluate interpersonal relationships, and learn to apply positive psychology to your happiness. The courses provide a broad overview of mental illness, brain anatomy, and the different types of counseling practices.
Clinical psychologists and counselors provide an essential service to help encourage well-being. From counseling sessions for relationship issues to mental health counseling for things like eating disorders, you could build a rewarding career, helping people cope with life’s problems. Understanding the branches of psychology and the inner workings of the brain can help you build your career.
Free Online Counselling Certification Courses In Nigeria
Counselling Programs and Certifications (Coursera)
Coursera has compiled a list of over 25 courses that will offer you the knowledge to jump-start a career in counselling in various aspects of health and disorders. The classes are categorized based on the level of difficulty namely beginner, intermediate and advanced. Some of the top choices include an introduction to psychology, moralities of life, autism spectrum disorder, philosophy and the sciences, schizophrenia, major depression in the population, introduction to human behavioural genetics and how music can change your life.
Free Counselling Training & Courses Online (Udemy)
If you want to become a successful counsellor then a deep understanding of the school of thought and common mental health issues is crucial. Udemy offers you a series of choices that will set you on the path of becoming a drug, couples or general counsellor. Counselling practitioner, dialectical behaviour therapy, diploma course, understand mental illness, psychological, relationship and children counselling are some of the best sellers trending on this platform.
Psychology and Counselling (University of Oxford)
This renowned institute introduces a range of theories, skills and techniques to allow you to understand the human mind and its functions. Along with that, you will also gain an appreciation for our thinking process both collectively and as individuals. Additionally, the platform also offers you options to progress your studies to postgraduate levels. Take your pick from introduction to existential therapy, essentials in organisational behaviour, workplace psychology, philosophy and psychiatry, cognitive behavioural therapy and more.
Counselling Degrees & Certificates (Capella University)
In these programs, you will learn to turn your drive to help others into a career dedicate to creating meaningful change. The lessons here will allow you to focus on gaining knowledge in topics like addiction, mental health, school counselling and marriage and family therapy. There are options for both master’s and doctoral degrees as well as certifications. Check out our compilation of Best Relationship Courses.
Counselling and Psychology Courses (Online Learning College)
In this website, you can delve into this very subject so that you can learn counselling techniques as well as understand the deep psychological workings of the brain. These programs are great for those who want to gain a new qualification to become a counsellor or those seeking new skills into the complex science of psychology. Explore the different levels of options in different subcategories like mental healthcare, counselling skills, child psychology, criminal psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy among others. You can also have a look at our curated list of Best Hypnotherapy Courses to use it as a medium of Counselling.
Best Counselling Certification Courses In Nigeria
Institute of Counseling in Nigeria
Institute of Counseling in Nigeria is one of the major counseling schools in Nigeria. It offers a wide variety of programs. All the Diploma courses in the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria are for Counselors who want to take their studies a step further in the field of professional Counseling. Diploma program for full time study is for a period of two months while, Part-Time or Online studies are for six months. Individuals studying online can complete their studies before the expected time or on a later date, but not later than 9 months. Programs offered by the institute are;
Diploma in Crisis Counseling
Who Can Take This Course?
If you are passionate about helping people in crisis or you are already a practicing counselor or someone already working in the helping field, this course is for you. With this course you can counsel people going through certain crisis in their lives, like depression, divorce, illness, etc. This course is also useful for individuals who wish to help people in times when professional help are not readily available.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Youth Counseling
This is one of the courses that is very important in this present age, a lot of youth are confused and so many are been mislead. Some have so much problems they could not share with anyone and a lot are confused about relationship, career and life issues. If you are passionate about the youth and/or you are already a practicing counselor who wish to gain more knowledge, this course will equip you with the necessary technique needed to counsel the youth.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Relationship, Couples & Family Counseling
Most people who enter couples counseling have already tried many methods of resolution. Some couples arrive in therapy with one partner dragging the other, some are on the brink of divorce, and others are trying to recover from an affair. Couples typically appear with entrenched arguments, unhealthy power dynamics, and painful histories. In this context, the therapist’s job is to help couples find clarity, productive communication, a shared vision, and a way to move forward without blaming each other for the mess they’ve developed. In a generation plague with so much negative happenings in the area of relationship and marriage, taking a certificate in this course will help candidate to come out as an expert to start his/her own practice.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Coaching
You want to be a Professional Coach? This course is for you, the course will equip you with the skills and the knowledge needed in coaching others. Here, you will learn coaching skills and tricks, there are lots of exercises and case studies that will prepare you to be a coach that can compete with any of your counterpart all over the world.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Grief and Bereavement Counseling
This is a very technical and highly emotional aspect of counseling that requires a lot of expertise. Students who wishes to gain more knowledge or start a career in this field will find this course very interesting. The course will help counselors understand the techniques and skills required in helping bereaved clients. It is also useful for those who wish to help client waiting for death or going through the last phases of their lives. A very helpful course for those involved in social works or those working in old peoples home.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Counseling
If you have always aspired to help people and wishes to become a professional in your filed as a practicing counselor, this course is for you. This is an advanced counseling course for professional counselors, it is for everyone who have passion for counseling and wishes to take it further to the professional level. on completion of this course, you get a Professional Diploma accredited by Association for Counseling, Psychotherapy and Matchmaking of Nigeria (ACOPHMAN) and you may apply to join the association as an associate member.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Sex Therapy
Sexuality is one of the most fundamental parts of being human and is usually present in therapy, whether explicitly or implicitly. Its effects on identity and individual or relational issues are almost always intertwined with therapy, and well-qualified therapists need to have a working knowledge of all its aspects. The well-qualified therapist must be versed in sexual psycho-education, how sexuality affects individual and couples relational issues, and how to directly address sexual issues when they are explicitly part of therapy. Many therapists are reluctant to discuss sexual issues with clients. This course, with this frank discussion of sexual issues and its information on Sex Therapy, will help therapists become more comfortable and conversant with sexuality in its many and diverse forms.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Christian or Pastoral Counseling
Whether you are a worker, Pastor or a born again Christian, that wishes to be a practicing Professional Counselor this course is for you. This course will equip you with the principles of counseling and teach you Christian knowledge, skills and practice as recommended by the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC). You will be able to use these counseling skills in various aspect of life. The goal of the course is to help the student to acquire the skills, insights, understanding and knowledge they will need to work effectively, promoting health and wholeness from a Biblical perspective.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Addiction Counseling
Addiction counseling is becoming more and more popular as a result of civilization. Loneliness and depression seems to be on the increase as a result of growing depletion in family values. If you wish to help people who are trying to come out of addiction as a counselor, this course is for you.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning
Diploma in Social Care
If you have passion for social care or you are already employed as a social care worker, this course is for you. It is particularly suited to social carers and those who work in related disciplines whether professional or voluntary. It is also suitable for students of social care or related studies.
Method Of Study
Part-Time
Full-Time
Online/Distance Learning.
List of Universities that offer Guidance And Counselling as a course
Below is a list of 45 Nigerian universities that offer Guidance And Counselling as a course:
- Abia State University, Uturu
- Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
- Adeniran Ogunsanya College Of Education, Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos (Affliated To Ekiti state university
- Adeyemi College Of Education, (Affliated To Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Al- Hikmah University, Ilorin
- Alvan Ikoku College Of Education, (Affliated To University Of Nigera, Nsukka)
- Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
- Anambra State University, Uli
- Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
- Benue State University, Makurdi
- College Of Education, Ikere Ekiti (Affliated To University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, E
- Cross Rivers University Of Technology, Calabar
- Delta State University, Abraka
- Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
- Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
- Emmanuel Alayande College Of Education, Oyo (Affliated To Ekiti State Univers
- Enugu State University Of Science And Technology, Enugu
- Fed College Of Educ. (Special), Oyo
- Federal College Of Education, Obudu, Cross River State, (Affiliated To Universi
- Federal College Of Education, Okene (Affiliated To University Of Ibadan)
- Federal College Of Education, Pankshin (Affliated To University Of Jos, Plateau
- Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State
- Ignatius Ajuru University Of Education, Port Harcourt
- Imo State University, Owerri
- Kwara State College Of Education, (Technical), Lafia (Affliated To Ahmadu Bello
- Lead City University, Ibadan
- Michael Otedola College Of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe, Lagos (Affliated
- Nasarawa State University, Keffi
- Niger Delta University , Wilberforce Island
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
- Nwafor Orizu College Of Education, Nsugbe (Affliated To University Of Nigeria
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye
- Osun State University, Osogbo
- Sokoyo State University, Sokoto
- AugustineS College Of Education, Akoka, Lagos (Affliated To University Of
- Tai Solarin University Of Education, Ijagun
- Tansain University, Oba, Anambra State
- University Of Abuja, Abuja
- University Of Ibadan, Ibadan
- University Of Jos, Jos
- University Of Lagos
- University Of Nigeria Nsukka
- University Of Uyo.
