Would you like to gain the practical knowledge and interpersonal skills you need to pursue a career as a Gestalt counsellor?
Gestalt counselling (from the German for 'whole' or 'pattern') is a holistic, humanistic approach to helping individuals understand themselves, their motivations and their surroundings as a whole. Gestalt practitioners help to find new perspectives to problems to bring about positive changes in peoples lives.
On this Gestalt Counselling DipHE, you'll learn how to help people reflect on their current thoughts, feelings and behaviours so they can better understand their current situation. This can help them deal with relationship problems and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and stress.
If you're in employment, this course can fit around your working week, with timetabled teaching taking place 1 day a week, workshops on 6 Saturdays throughout the course, and occasional events in the evenings and at weekends.
When you complete the course, you could top up your diploma to a Bachelor's degree. You could also work as a Gestalt counsellor in areas such as education, the police service, the prison service and the voluntary sector.
Course highlights
Study modules that give you a strong foundation for your studies and future career, covering topics including counselling theory and skills, gestalt theory and skills, mental health issues, and counselling specific groups
Learn from experienced, industry-trained staff who've worked in organisations or run their own private practices
Apply your knowledge and skills with at least 100 hours of supervised counselling on a placement in the community
Study at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus with access to support and services at the University of Portsmouth
Apply for student membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and get access to member resources including journal subscriptions, free courses and job boards while you study
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2026
University of Portsmouth - Portsmouth Campus
University of Portsmouth, Mercantile House,
Hampshire Terrace,
Portsmouth,
Hampshire,
PO1 2EG, Southern England, United Kingdom
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
February 2027
South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh College
Chestnut Ave,
Eastleigh,
Hampshire,
SO50 5FS, Southern England, United Kingdom
Level 3 Counselling skills qualification, English GCSE or equivalent at C and a maths GCSE or equivalent at D, however we welcome applications from A level students with A levels in Psychology, Psychotherapy or Sociology (112 UCAS points) and will consider on an individual basis subject to a successful interview and interpersonal skills role-play.
A levels - BBC
International Baccalaureate - 25
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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