Counselling Placements
Counselling placements in Blackpool & the Fylde Coast
Build real client hours and genuine confidence on a supported placement with an award-winning community charity. You bring the training. We bring the clients, the support and a team that has your back.
Applications open 1 July and close 31 August.
Why train with CITC
A placement that builds your hours — and your confidence
Finding a placement that genuinely supports you is hard. Here's what you can expect when you train with us.
Real client hours that count
Work with real clients from your first weeks, building the client hours your course and accreditation require — not shadowing, not role-play.
A senior team, always on hand
You're never on your own. There's always a senior member of staff on site if you need to talk something through, plus the day-to-day support of an experienced, friendly team.
A breadth of experience
See children, young people and adults across four community hubs — including play therapy and sensory-room work — so you graduate with genuine range.
CPD and development
Grow your skills with ongoing training and CPD opportunities alongside qualified counsellors who remember exactly where you are now.
Work that actually matters
Every session you deliver helps someone on the Fylde Coast who couldn't otherwise afford support. Your placement is real, needed work.
A respected name behind you
Train with a King's Award-winning charity delivering thousands of sessions a year — a placement that stands out on your CV and to your tutor.
Who we're looking for
Is a placement with us right for you?
We welcome trainee counsellors who are ready to put their learning into practice in a supportive, real-world setting. You don't need previous placement experience — many of our trainees are here for their first.
Not sure whether you qualify? Apply anyway, or ask your course tutor to get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
- ✓You're enrolled on a recognised counselling or psychotherapy course (typically Level 4 Diploma or above) that requires a placement.
- ✓You need to gain client hours and are ready to begin seeing clients.
- ✓You can commit to regular placement sessions with the support of our team.
- ✓You can provide two references — one character and one professional.
- ✓You're willing to complete an enhanced DBS check and work within our policies and ethical framework.
Key dates
This year's recruitment timeline
Applications open
1 July
Applications close
31 August
You'll hear from us by
4 September
Interviews
week commencing 14 September
Induction days
2 October or 8 October (10am – 3pm)
Ready to apply?
Start your applicationHow it works
From application to your first client
Apply online
Complete the short application form below. It takes around ten minutes and tells us about you, your course and why you'd like to train with us.
Interview
If your application is a good fit, we'll invite you to an informal interview week commencing 14 September. It's a chance for us to get to know each other.
Induction
Successful applicants join one of our induction days (2 October or 8 October, 10am – 3pm) to meet the team and learn how we work.
System familiarisation
15 hours of system familiarisation to get comfortable with our tools, systems and processes before you begin.
Start your placement
Begin seeing clients with a senior member of staff always on site and the full support of the team behind you.
Frequently asked questions
Placement questions, answered
Who can apply for a counselling placement?+
Trainee counsellors enrolled on a recognised counselling or psychotherapy course (typically a Level 4 Diploma or above) that requires a placement. You don't need previous placement experience — many of our trainees are with us for their first placement.
Is the placement paid?+
Counselling placements are voluntary trainee positions, like placements across the counselling profession. You gain real client hours, training and experience rather than a salary, and every session you deliver supports the local community.
Will I be supported during my placement?+
Yes. There's always a senior member of staff on site if you need to talk something through, plus the day-to-day support of an experienced team. You are never expected to work in isolation.
Where are the placements based?+
Across our four Fylde Coast hubs — South Shore (Blackpool), Bispham, Cleveleys and Fleetwood — seeing children, young people and adults, with play therapy and sensory-room work available too.
How many client hours will I get?+
We work with you and your course requirements so you can build the client hours you need toward qualification and accreditation. We'll talk this through at interview and induction.
When will I hear back after applying?+
Applications close 31 August. We'll be in touch by 4 September, with interviews week commencing 14 September and induction days on 2 October or 8 October (10am – 3pm).
Apply now
Apply for a counselling placement
Tell us a little about you and your course. It takes around ten minutes. Everything you share is kept confidential.
Start your placement journey
Applications are open until 31 August. Take ten minutes to apply and take the next step in your counselling career.
Apply for a placement