How to develop core counselling skills and techniques

This growing need creates opportunities for future professionals. If you are considering a career where you can make a tangible difference, developing strong counselling skills and techniques is a critical first step. At GBS, our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year gives you both the theory and practice you need to develop these counselling skills and techniques. We can help you prepare for a career in counselling, mental health services or other related fields. Let us explore the core skills, techniques and pathways to becoming a counsellor. 

What are core counselling skills? 

Counselling relies on a set of foundational skills that allow professionals to build trust, guide conversations and support change. The following are the most important counselling skills. 

1. Active listening 

Active listening means more than nodding along. It is listening with intent, showing clients you are present through paraphrasing, summarising and silence when needed. It involves paying attention to tone, body language and emotions. Clients often feel invisible. Active listening validates their voices. 

2. Empathy 

Empathy in counselling bridges the gap between counsellor and client. It is the ability to step into another person's emotional world, understanding their feelings without judgment. Empathy validates the client’s experience and strengthens the therapeutic relationship. Clients heal when they feel understood. 

3. Nonverbal communication 

Your eye contact, posture and tone speak louder than words. Clients often 'read' counsellors before listening to them. Open, calm and supportive body language can reduce anxiety and convey safety, while closed-off body language can block trust. 

4. Reflection of feelings 

Reflection of feelings is about echoing emotions back to the client in a way that helps them identify and explore what they are experiencing. Many people struggle to put their emotions into words and reflecting back on them builds awareness and clarity. 

5. Open-ended questions 

Open-ended questions encourage clients to think beyond simple yes or no answers and explore their thoughts and feelings more fully. They matter because they prompt reflection, critical thinking and often reveal insights the client had not previously considered. 

6. Rapport building 

Counselling begins with trust and rapport building is the process of creating that safe and supportive relationship. Clients are more willing to open up when they feel respected, valued and genuinely heard. Small acts, such as remembering names, noticing personal details or maintaining a warm and open presence, can make a big difference. 

7. Feedback skills 

Giving feedback is a delicate but essential part of counselling. It is not about judging a client, but about reflecting on progress and encouraging growth. Effective feedback highlights strengths while gently pointing to areas for reflection. 

8. Self-awareness 

Self-awareness refers to the ability to recognise your own emotions, biases and triggers so they do not interfere with the counselling relationship. It helps counsellors maintain professionalism and stay present for their clients without projecting personal experiences. Developing self-awareness often involves reflective journaling, supervision and honest self-assessment. 

Major counselling techniques 

Beyond the core skills, counsellors rely on structured techniques that guide how sessions unfold. These techniques provide a framework for helping clients explore their challenges, develop new perspectives and move towards positive change. Each method offers a different way of understanding and responding to clients and most counsellors learn to adapt them depending on the situation at hand. 

Person-centred approach 

Person-centred approaches are built on empathy, authenticity and unconditional positive regard. Instead of leading the conversation, counsellors allow the client to take centre stage, creating an environment where they feel safe to share. This technique fosters empowerment because it shows clients they already have the resources within themselves to grow and change. 

Cognitive Behavioural Techniques 

Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) are one of the most widely used modern counselling techniques. It focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. By helping clients identify unhelpful thought patterns such as 'I always fail' and replacing them with healthier alternatives, CBT gives people practical tools to manage anxiety, depression and other challenges. Its structured, goal-oriented nature makes it effective in both short-term and long-term counselling. 

Integrative approach 

No two clients are the same, and that is why many counsellors use an integrative approach. This method combines elements of different techniques, such as person-centred counselling, CBT and psychodynamic approaches depending on what best fits the client’s needs. It allows flexibility and responsiveness, ensuring support is tailored rather than one-size-fits-all. 

How GBS helps you develop counselling skills 

Becoming an effective counsellor is not just about knowing theories. It is about practising counselling skills, reflecting on your growth and building the confidence to apply what you have learned in real situations. At GBS, the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year course is designed with this in mind. It blends psychology with counselling practice so that every concept you study is rooted in how it can support people in the real world. 

What makes our course stand out is its flexibility. With the option to customise your class schedule, you can balance study with work, family or other commitments. Most importantly, you will learn in a supportive environment where our experienced and qualified lecturers will guide you on your academic journey and professional development. 

By the time you graduate, you will be ready to apply core counselling skills and techniques in practice, preparing you for careers across the UK in counselling, mental health, education and beyond.