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Counseling Courses Online

Learn counseling techniques for providing support and guidance. Understand therapeutic approaches and counseling skills.

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Explore the Counseling Course Catalog

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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
    ·
    32K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Toronto

    Learn Interpersonal Psychotherapy

    Skills you'll gain: Interpersonal Communications, Communication Strategies, Psychotherapy, Rapport Building, Mental Health Therapies, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Case Studies, Clinical Psychology, Problem Solving, Mental Health Counseling, Relationship Building, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Interactive Learning, Patient Evaluation, Psychological Evaluations, Cultural Sensitivity

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    85 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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
    ·
    422 reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Sydney

    Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health

    Skills you'll gain: Mental Health, Stress Management, Mindfulness, Psychiatry, Positivity, Optimism, Resilience, Behavioral Health, Mental Health Therapies, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Mental and Behavioral Health, Creativity, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Substance Abuse, Empowerment, Relationship Building, Exercise Therapy

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3.9K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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
    ·
    3.9K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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
    ·
    2K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 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
    ·
    896 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    518 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
    ·
    20 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    L

    Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

    Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy

    Skills you'll gain: Maternal Health, Prenatal Care, Child Health, Patient Education And Counseling, Nutrition Counseling, Preventative Care, Clinical Nutrition, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Nutrition and Diet, Food Safety and Sanitation, Medical Science and Research

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3.2K reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Counseling learners also search

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1234…20

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

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