Postgraduate Diploma in
School Counselling
A 12–month course for psychology graduates to work competently and confidently with children and adolescents through supervised clinical practice, not classroom theory alone. By graduation, you will have built and managed a real counselling caseload under expert supervision, ready to step into a school or community counselling role from day one.
The Problem, The Future, Our Approach
Most psychology graduates enter counselling roles with strong theoretical grounding and almost no real clinical exposure. Internships are frequently limited to observation, leaving new counsellors to hold their first real, high-stakes conversations with children without ever having practised the skill under supervision.
As schools increasingly recognise the need for in-house mental health support, the demand is shifting from counsellors who can describe a concept to counsellors who can act on it confidently, ethically, and within a governed clinical system.
Every theoretical concept in this diploma is paired with supervised, real-case practice in the same semester it's taught. You don't wait until graduation to test what you've learned; you test it every week, on real clients, with a qualified supervisor reviewing your work.
Key Program Features
Supervised Counselling
Each counselling session is conducted under a 5:1 supervisor ratio, with weekly case review.
Personalised Guidance
Small cohorts of 15–20 ensure individual feedback throughout the year.
Hands-on Learning
Every module includes an applied clinical component, not just lectures.
Interactive Format
Role-plays, live demonstrations, and peer feedback replace passive lecture time.
Modules
Semester 1
- Human Development Across the Lifespan
- Ethics, Law & Professional Practice
- School Observation & Orientation (Practicum I)
- Counselling Skills & The Therapeutic Relationship
- Psychopathology & Clinical Presentations
Semester 2
- Assessment & Case Formulation in Children
- School Crisis Triage & Suicide Risk Protocols (C-SSRS)
- Advanced Supervised Practicum II (100 Hours)
- Neurodivergence, ADHD & Autism Spectrum Profiling
- Family Systems & Multi-Disciplinary Case Conferences
Theory that can take you from pages to practice
Who should attend?
• Designed for: Psychology graduates (BA/MA or equivalent) who want structured, supervised clinical training focused on children and adolescents, not another theory-only credential.
• What their future looks like: Graduates step into school counselling, child guidance clinics, and community mental health roles with a real caseload already behind them, supported by priority access to placements through Saaya's partner schools network.
You may also be interested in a similar course designed for integrative counselling and psychotherapy PG Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Faculty
Learn theory from experienced educators, then execute case simulations under the direct guidance of practicing mental health professionals.
Dr. Aruna R.
Sr. Counselling Psychologist at Saaya
RCI-registered practitioner specializing in child developmental interventions and clinical supervision.
Dr. Aruna R.
Sr. Counselling Psychologist at Saaya
RCI-registered practitioner specializing in child developmental interventions and clinical supervision.
Dr. Aruna R.
Sr. Counselling Psychologist at Saaya
RCI-registered practitioner specializing in child developmental interventions and clinical supervision.
Admissions
Admission is based on your academic background and a structured interview assessing readiness not prior clinical experience.