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Riverside College proudly launched its Centre of Excellence for Counselling, in recognition of the outstanding success of the College’s counselling courses over the past 20 years.

Riverside College has over 300 students enrolled on a variety of courses, from Level 2 introductory courses, through to degree level in both adult and children & young people’s counselling, in partnership with the University of Staffordshire.

We have worked closely with local organisations and employers to ensure that the curriculum meets the current, future local and regional skills needs. The Centre of Excellence will continue to deliver high standard courses which promote confidence and employability skills in future counsellors.

Courses available in Counselling

  • Introduction to Counselling Skills Certificate – Level 2
  • Diploma in Counselling – Level 3
  • Foundation Degree in Counselling (FdSc)
  • BSc (Hons) Counselling (top up)
  • Foundation Degree in Counselling Children and Young People (FdSc)
  • BSc (Hons) Counselling Children and Young People (Top Up)

Click here to learn more about our Counselling Courses.

Outstanding Results

The counselling department at Riverside College has celebrated a consistent track record of exceptional high pass rates and the successful transition of graduates into the world of work.

Last academic year, 97% of students achieved high grades in their Honours Degrees, with 61% earning First Class degrees and 71% achieving Distinctions at Foundation Degree level.

Meet the Counselling Team

Rachel Wilson – Programme Area Leader for Counselling

Rachel currently teaches across both the FdSc Counselling and BSc (Hons) Counselling programmes. She joined the counselling team in December 2019 and also works as a practising counsellor through a local organisation. Before moving into higher education, Rachel worked as a Learning Mentor within a high school, supporting pupils experiencing a range of challenges. In this role, she collaborated closely with the safeguarding team and external agencies to ensure students received the appropriate support. Outside of her professional life, Rachel is a dedicated gym enthusiast who enjoys lifting heavy weights purely for fun.

Nicola Kelly – Counselling Tutor

Nicola is a qualified counsellor with a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and recently completed her Masters in educational leadership. She is a passionate and motivated lecturer with experience in teaching across all learning levels and . Nicola also has a vast experience in counselling adults, children and young people. with keen interest in relationship therapy, grief work, suicide ideation and non-suicidal self-injury. Her hobbies include walking, spending time with her family and loveable 7-year-old Puggle Lexi. 

Rosie Byrom – Counselling Tutor

Rosie has over 22 years’ experience in teaching counselling across all levels. Rosie initially worked as a counsellor for adult clients, however since qualifying as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Rosie has predominantly worked therapeutically with children and young people and she is also a qualified counselling Supervisor. Rosie has a keen interest in the subject of trauma, especially somatic experiencing, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. She is passionate about research and enjoys supporting students as their academic supervisor.

Karen McDonough – Counselling Tutor

Karen completed post-graduate training in education, joining the counselling team in 2021, teaching Level 2, Level 3 and Foundation Degree Counselling whilst continuing to practice. Karen has extensive experience of working with grief and loss within organisational settings and also has a small private practice where she also provides supervision to other less experienced counsellors.