OCST Online Counselling Services & Training

Online Counselling Training uk and Online Counselling Supervision Skills Courses uk

Online Counselling skills are relevant to everyone who communicates with others using computer mediated technology, such as email, instant Messenging software, Skype, discussion forums etc, but is particularly relevant if you are employed as a professional who provides an online service to clients. The diverse range of professionals who are currently engaging with clients online is continuing to increase as clients demand is encouraging practitioners and service providers to create the opportunity for online support using computer mediated technology. I am a qualified and experienced trainer and provide both face to face and online counselling courses. OCST provides online Counselling and online supervision skills training which is of the highest quality, and equips professionals with the confidence and expertise to conduct an online practice which complies with all relevant practical, ethical, and legal considerations.

There are a broad range of training opportunities available with OCST, including modular courses for online counselling skills and online supervision skills, plus workshops for those who wish to work online with clients, or are seeking to further develop their online presence and online counselling or supervision skills. All current courses and workshops are listed below. If you read through the information and find a course which most suits your interest in this field of professional practice, please feel free to contact me for more details.



Transferring the use of counselling skills to computer mediated technology requires additional skills to those utilised within face to face interactions. The courses available form this website will assist students in effectively managing this transition whilst also providing learning opportunities which encourage students to develop an effective online presence and online relationships with clients.

There are both individual and also group learning courses for online counselling skills training available from this web site. All courses are modular in structure with full support provided by the tutor throughout the period of online study.

Tailor Made Online Counselling or Supervision Skills Courses
If you are seeking training for a group of counsellors or practitioners and would prefer a course which has been designed to specifically meet your needs, then please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Online Counselling Skills Training Courses Currently Available

If you are seeking training for Online Counselling skills practice and you would you like to take part in an experiential course to develop or improve your online counselling skills and online presence, there are currently two courses available with OCST:

OCST 1- A Ten Week Modular Online Counselling Skills Training Course: Individual learning, with continuous support throughout each module by the OCST Tutor .
If you would prefer to study in online Counselling Skills through a modular course where you undertake individual part time study, or full time study to acquire proficiency in Online Counselling skills and the further reaching aspects of developing an effective and ethical online presence, then you may be interested in this individual study programme. This course is available continuously throughout the calendar year.

Brief Course outline and Delegate Requirements:
The course is structured as a modular training programme with a combination of:

1.Personal study and research
2.Experiential learning through individual exercises
3.Simulated client work using asynchronous and synchronous media
4.Completion of a personal learning log, brief case study, and personal
model for using counselling skills within an online context
5.Access to the private OCST course Wiki for reading/research material etc
6. Weekly online meetings with the course tutor

Module One
Introduction to counselling skills practice and the development of an online presence
Module Two
Online counselling skills and establishing an online presence
Module Three
Online relationships using asynchronous and synchronous computer mediated communication
Module Four
Ethical and technical considerations within online counselling skills practice
Module Five
Forming a model for using online counselling skills

Course fees: £395

OCST 2- A 12 Week Modular Course for Online Counselling Skills Training: Shared Online Group Activities and Individual Learning supported by the course tutor
This part time course is structured in a manner where students are encouraged to develop their practical skills, and the professional/ ethical/ legal considerations for developing an online practice, in conjunction with an forming an effective online presence and online relationships using computer mediated technology. The next course begins in September 2010. The course is delivered and certificated by Jane Evans, OCST Course Tutor.

Brief Course outline:
The course is structured as a 12 week modular training programme with a combination of:
1.Personal study and research
2.Experiential learning through group and individual exercises
3.Simulated client work using asynchronous and synchronous media
4.Commitment to participating within weekly online group discussion meetings
and the course discussion forum
5.Completion of a personal learning log, brief case study, and personal
model for using counselling skills within an online context
6. Access to a private course Wiki space which contains a wealth of resources
and information relating to online counselling and supervision etc


Module One
Familiarisation with online counselling skills practice and developing an effective online presence
Module Two
Developing an online presence and online relationships
Module Three
Professional online Relationships with clients using asynchronous computer mediated software
Module Four
Professional online Relationships with clients using synchronous computer mediated software
Module Five
Ethical considerations within online practice
Module Six
Forming a model for professional practice using online counselling skills

Course Fees: £400



If you would like further information on the course content and structure for either of the options available, please follow this link to email the tutor Contact Jane Evans


Workshops For Online Counselling and Supervision Skills

During 2010 I will be running a series of workshops in a range of subjects relating to online counselling and online supervision. These include:

An Introduction to Online Counselling Skills
This workshop is suitable for those counsellors and practitoners who are interested in online counselling skills, but would prefer to find out more about the specialist skills required prior to committing to an in depth training course. The workshop consists of 6 hours online activity with the course tutor and course members.Workshop participants who choose to progress onto either of the modular courses with OCST will receive a £25 reduction on course fees. Workshop fee: £75

An Introduction to Online Supervision
This workshop provides an opportunity for practitioners to 'test the water' in developing both supervision and supervisee skills using computer mediated technology. This is a useful resource and learning experience for those who are unfamiliar with online supervision, but would like an initial simulated forum to assess if it would be advantageous to their clinical practice.
Workshop participants who choose to progress onto the OCST online supervision training courses will receive a £25 reduction on course fees. Workshop fee: £75

Providing online support to couples using computer mediated technology

This work shop provides an introduction to transferring couple counselling skills to an online media. If you are currently working in a face to face context with couples and would like to extend your practice into working online, this workshop includes activities relating to the practicalities of doing so.
Workshop fee £75. Workshop participants who choose to progress onto additional OCST training courses will receive a £25 reduction on course fees.

Working online with Groups
It is becoming increasingly relevant for professionals to work online with groups. This might include group tutorials, group forums, therapeutic or support groups. If you are interested in becoming an online group facilitator this workshop will provide an opportunity to develop or further enhance your online group facilitation skills. The workshop fee is £75.Workshop participants who choose to progress onto additional OCST training courses will receive a £25 reduction on course fees.

For further information on content and dates of the workshops contact Jane Evans using the email links provided on this page.

Online Counselling Supervision Training Courses

Are you interested in becoming an online supervisor, or are you already supporting others using computer mediated technology?
If so, you may be interested in participating in either stages of the courses available with OCST.

Practising as an online supervisor requires additional skills and considerations to those utilised within face to face supervision relationships. Developing the additional skills and expertise to provide effective online supervision to supervisees and related client work, can be supported by engaging in either of the courses listed below. Delegates who successfully complete the requirements for either course will receive a certificate issued by OCST. For those practitioners who have none, or very limited experience of providing online supervision, the stage 1 course is appropriate. For those practitioners who have some experience of providing online supervision, course two would be most appropriate for further skill development:

OCST Online Supervision course (1)

This first stage of training is a six week online course where delegates consider how the skills of face to face supervision and their chosen theoretical supervision framework transfer to an online media to consolidate and form a personal model for effective online supervision practice. The course content includes both synchronous and asynchronous activities and exercises to enable course members to practice their developing skills. All activities and online course meetings are facilitated by the course tutor.

The course fees for stage 1 are £250

OCST Online Supervision Course (2)
The second stage of online supervision training provides opportunities for those practitioners who have some experience of providing both face to face and online supervision to further develop their online supervision skills and competency in supporting supervisees using computer mediated technology. The course includes both synchronous and asynchronous activities using a variety of computer mediated technologies and creative ways to enhance online supervision practice. The course duration is 10 weeks and includes activities and online course meetings which are facilitated by the course tutor.

The course fees for stage 2 are £300.

If you would like further information regarding either course, please Contact Jane Evans


A Sample of Endorsements from past students on OCST Courses

OCST 2 Online Counselling Course

"Learning together as a group and discussing issues on the Forum gave me a tremendous feeling of support and the course Wiki was full of interesting information. I recommend this course without reservation and am looking forward to training further with Jane".
Julie Stocks. Counsellor, University of Lincoln.

“A highly supportive, educational and enjoyable course that I would recommend to anyone interested in Online Counselling.
All you need to know is covered and explored through group meetings, supervision, forums and other invaluable communications.
Whether you are a beginner or have had some experience within this field, the course will effectively develop your skills and enhance your learning”
Jonathan Bance. Volunteer online Counsellor. Samaritans. Leicester.

"I wholeheartedly recommend this course. Although I am a very experienced counsellor, I have learnt so much, reviewed my skills and their use both on-line, and face-to-face. The benefits are considerable. For anyone wishing to gain greater understanding of e-counselling, then this is a very good course to take". - Audrey Baker. – Practice Manager. www.bvcounselling.co.uk

"I work exclusively in private practice now but have previously worked as a counsellor and clinical supervisor in the NHS, Education, RELATE and a Hospice. I’ll put my hand up and admit that I was sceptical when I first heard of ecounselling but over the duration of this course I’ve become a convert. The course was genuinely ethical and offered a comprehensive and stimulating experience of all the skills and competencies involved for online work. Using the core skills and other online competencies that were skilfully taught to me by the excellent tutor on the course has given me the confidence to say ‘yes’ a therapeutic relationship does and can exist online."
Wendy Schreder- Private Practice Counsellor and Supervisor

OCST Online Supervision Training Course
If you are looking for a course that will give you new skills, remind you of old ones, stimulate your thinking, enhance your presence online and offers value for money?? Well look no further! The supervision course offers all of the above. I have recently completed Part 1 and I highly recommend it. What was covered in this course in six sessions; could take months to learn in a different context. The standard is high, and the cost is low....it is certainly a bargain!......what more could a prospective student ask for in a course?
Betty Gleeson. Counsellor and Supervisor.Trinity College. Dublin.

To view further endorsements follow this link

About Jane Evans- OCST Course Tutor

Jane Evans MA MBACP (Accred Member) Professional and confidential Services for Counselling, Online Counselling, Counselling Supervision for your counselling practice, Online Counselling skills training courses,Online Counselling Supervision training,and Online counselling Consultancy
I have worked as a trainer, counsellor, and counselling supervisor (both face to face and online) since 1984.
The extensive employment, private practice, and voluntary experience I have gained in developing a counselling and supervision practice within the following contexts enables me to offer training which is insightful and professional, whilst also enjoyable for students participating in the range of courses available:

Private Practice

FE College Counselling

Voluntary and Charity Organisations

Education, Schools, and Youth Work

University

Local Government

Pallative care

EAP Practice

I have written a 'Guide for Trainees and Practitioners' as a practical resource for online counselling and Guidance skills which was published by Sage in October 2008.

I have also written articles for the AUCC magasine which have been published during 2006, 2007, and 2008. I have delivered experiential workshops for University and College counsellors at the 2007 and 2009 Annual AUCC conferences, and also the 2009 and 2010 OCTIA conferences

I am an executive member of ACTO- Professional Conduct officer, and an organising member for OCTIA conferences.